First Baptist Community Development Corporation (FBCDC), which also does business as the Renaissance Community Development Corporation (RCDC) was founded in 1992 and incorporated as a non-sectarian not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization on February 19, 1993. It was formed to improve the social, educational and economic conditions in the community surrounding the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, located on Route 27 in Somerset, New Jersey. FBCDC was created as a logical outgrowth of the more than sixty year-old religious institution with a rich history of dedication to community service. A 21-member Board of Directors governs the FBCDC, with representation from the First Baptist Church, Renaissance 2000 neighborhood residents, and selected business, health, and educational institutions. The operating staff of the FBCDC consists of 24 full-time and 4 part-time employees, whose work is supplemented by 20 - 40 regular volunteers. Staff directors include one retired business executive, two former directors of non-profit organizations, and a human resources manager from a large airline company. Other managers and program specialists are college graduates with one to four years of experience in health, education and the human resources fields.

Following its incorporation in 1993, the FBCDC began its work with a Youth Program designed to address a multiplicity of problems associated with education, training, employment, substance abuse and youth delinquency. Operating out of the First Baptist Church basement and subsequently a trailer, the first two and one-half years were focused on organization building and service definition. Over the next few years, FBCDC continued to refine and expand its programs, developing the concept of a holistic approach to family support. Using a family-centered, programmatic approach to client-partner support, the current staff of 24 and our partners are facilitating neighborhood revitalization efforts to address housing, employment, health, education and other human service needs that form the basis for a healthy family and community.

Our Goals

The goals of the FBCDC as a key partner in the Renaissance Initiative are:

• Employ a holistic approach in moving residents toward self-sufficiency
  
• Create a continuum of innovative public/private partnerships to maximize the use of community resources
  
• Use the talents and skills of the residents to build economically strong communities
  
• Assist residents in meeting and exceeding their expectations for strengthening the family unit
  
• Use state-of-the-art technology to enhance the quality of life within the Renaissance Community
  
• Improve the health and well being of all residents of the community