Missions

Anne Fritz, Chairperson | clarissafritz@att.net

Jacob’s Ladder Community Development Corporation

Jacob’s Ladder Community Development Corporation, an ecumenical Christian non-profit organization was incorporated in April 2004, as a 501 (c)(3). The name, Jacob’s Ladder, draws from the Old Testament story of Jacob, a man who dreamed of a connection between heaven and earth, a prelude to Christ’s ministry on earth. Jacob’s Ladder is focused on relationship building between neighbors, businesses, and faith-based groups in the Memphis Belt Line community. Its vision for the community is to create a new image for this struggling area by providing affordable housing, community resources, green spaces, parks, and more, as a testimony to the creative and loving power of God.

The Belt Line is one of the most centrally located and diverse communities in Memphis. Once a strong and vital community, the Belt Line is located near the U of M campus area and Chickasaw Gardens. This area struggles with issues of crime, blight, chronic unemployment, and some of the highest crime rates in Memphis.

Some of the issues facing this area:

• 90% of residents live in poverty

• One in three lots are vacant or boarded-up

• High occurrence of domestic violence

• High unemployment rate

• Rising percentage of high school dropouts

• 80% of households are single parent

• At risk youth and teenage pregnancy

Jacob’s Ladder has achieved many goals in its twenty years of operation in this area. It has renovated twenty-five previously vacant houses and placed qualified homebuyers in them. It has built a community center and church. Three streets have been partially renovated. Jacob’s Ladder has created a coalition of businesses, churches and neighbors in the Belt Line, moving from fragmentation to solidarity. In addition, it has supplemented early childhood education in the Belt Line by opening a Youth Enrichment Center.

Jacob’s Ladder, while continuing its work towards housing rehabilitation efforts, has many more goals. It is implementing a long-term community redevelopment plan, designed in partnership with residents, churches, and businesses. It is also working towards creating green spaces and connecting and strengthening existing churches.

A very exciting new project for Jacob’s Ladder is its Senior Safe Cozy Village. The Cozy Village is an answer for these Belt Line senior citizens living on the edge of poverty in a high crime area. Cozy Village will be five studio-style homes surrounding an interior courtyard. These homes will be built with insulating concrete forms (ICFs). ICFs are durable, attractive, and virtually maintenance free, termite/water damage free, bullet proof, and fully ADA compliant. The units have a very high energy efficiency rating and utility bills are estimated at $100 or less a month (to be paid by the resident.) Residents will also pay a monthly fee of $500. The current Cozy Village project is beginning September 15. The completion date is estimated for March 2024. Once this Cozy Village is completed, it is hoped that more will follow soon for the Belt Line neighborhood.

Jacob’s Ladder is currently seeking donations for this project, the Senior Safe Cozy Village. The total budget for this project is $304,000. Not only does it need funds to begin the project, but it always needs volunteers. To donate or volunteer, contact Rev. William D Marler by phone (901-327-3771) or email at jacobsladdercdc@aol.com.