Friendship Missionary Baptist Church initially sponsored and formed the Friendship Community Development Corporation (FCDC) in July 2001 to develop 108 acres of vacant land owned by the church. The FCDC created several ad hoc committees to examine 16 different projects ranging from an Alzheimer’s Center to affordable housing.
The FCDC was created to develop Friendship Village into a holistic community of support. As a North Carolina nonprofit corporation, the FCDC fultimately received its 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. The FCDC purchased their first property in December 2004, a single family home to be used for HIV/AIDS housing.
In 2006, Great Things!, (a resale boutique on Beatties Ford Rd ) began as
the FCDC’s first economic development program which has created jobs and annually generates revenue for the support of the FCDC programs and provides donated clothing and household items to those in need in the community.
In January 2007, the FCDC purchased the site known as Catherine Simmons which consisted of an existing aged apartment building and duplex. Demolishing the existing property made way for a new construction project known as Friendship Gardens.
In 2008, many changes were taking place and the FCDC was continuing to grow. Two additional staffers were hired to work with the work force development and community supportive services. In July 2008, the second Executive Director, C. Jennifer Coble, Esq. was hired and the growth continued. Cornerstone Career Development began offering workforce development classes and onsite GED classes in the Beatties Ford Rd community.
In 2010, My Sister’s House Transitional Living Center began serving 26 homeless single women at 3239 Beatties Ford road after an extensive renovation of a former post office building owned by Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
In January 2012, Sweet Creations, a culinary apprenticeship/catering program began and offers workforce development by providing an opportunity to develop culinary skills and generate additional revenue as a catering company.
In July 2012, construction began on Friendship Gardens, a 12 unit multifamily project. The project consists of three buildings with four apartments each. There are four 1-bedroom apartments and 8 two bedroom apartments. Construction is scheduled to be completed by June 2013.
The FCDC was created to develop Friendship Village into a holistic community of support. As a North Carolina nonprofit corporation, the FCDC fultimately received its 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. The FCDC purchased their first property in December 2004, a single family home to be used for HIV/AIDS housing.
In 2006, Great Things!, (a resale boutique on Beatties Ford Rd ) began as
the FCDC’s first economic development program which has created jobs and annually generates revenue for the support of the FCDC programs and provides donated clothing and household items to those in need in the community.
In January 2007, the FCDC purchased the site known as Catherine Simmons which consisted of an existing aged apartment building and duplex. Demolishing the existing property made way for a new construction project known as Friendship Gardens.
In 2008, many changes were taking place and the FCDC was continuing to grow. Two additional staffers were hired to work with the work force development and community supportive services. In July 2008, the second Executive Director, C. Jennifer Coble, Esq. was hired and the growth continued. Cornerstone Career Development began offering workforce development classes and onsite GED classes in the Beatties Ford Rd community.
In 2010, My Sister’s House Transitional Living Center began serving 26 homeless single women at 3239 Beatties Ford road after an extensive renovation of a former post office building owned by Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
In January 2012, Sweet Creations, a culinary apprenticeship/catering program began and offers workforce development by providing an opportunity to develop culinary skills and generate additional revenue as a catering company.
In July 2012, construction began on Friendship Gardens, a 12 unit multifamily project. The project consists of three buildings with four apartments each. There are four 1-bedroom apartments and 8 two bedroom apartments. Construction is scheduled to be completed by June 2013.