About REACH Riverside Development Corporation
Mission: REACH Riverside works alongside the community to transform the Riverside neighborhood into a healthy, thriving place to live. REACH invests in human and physical capital to increase residents’ economic mobility, financial independence, and land ownership, with an embedded focus on racial equity. REACH is the managing partner of The WRK Group, a group of three nonprofits (REACH Riverside, Kingswood Community Center, and The Warehouse) working to address cradle-to-career pathways, housing, and community wellness in Wilmington, DE.
The REACH Riverside Development Corporation was formed in 2017 to remove the barriers to prosperity and well-being facing Wilmington, Delaware’s Riverside neighborhood, a community experiencing the devastating impacts of decades of racial discrimination and disinvestment. REACH is the community quarterback entity leading the implementation of the Purpose Built Communities revitalization model, a holistic approach focused on housing, education and health initiatives.
REACH is also the managing partner of The WRK Group, a group of three nonprofits - REACH Riverside, Kingswood Community Center (KCC), and The Warehouse (TWH) - working with Riverside residents to revitalize the community and remove barriers to prosperity. This unique organizational structure enables Kingswood and The Warehouse to focus on service delivery, while REACH leads redevelopment strategy and houses administrative functions such as development, marketing, finance/accounting, and human resources for all three organizations.
The WRK Group has made remarkable progress in just five years: construction of the first 141 mixed income housing units of Imani Village (Phases 1 and 2) were completed in fall 2022 and summer 2023, respectively. The Teen Warehouse, created in 2018, opened in 2021 and now serves over 200 teens annually with workforce development and enrichment programs; KCC has doubled the number served through its Early Learning Academy, youth, family and senior programs. During the Covid-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida flooding in 2021, REACH mobilized and delivered vital relief efforts for the entire community.
Over the next eight years the plan calls for: the completion of Imani Village in five phases, creating 552 additional units of mixed income housing and up to 100 units of homes for ownership; building a new, 80,000SF Kingswood Community Center facility to replace the current aging 17,000SF facility; implementation of the RESTORE program (Real Estate Strategies To Obtain Racial Equity) where catalyst properties will be purchased and developed to provide community serving amenities and home ownership opportunities; and supportive and enriching programs for all ages will be provided with outstanding quality, responsiveness and positive outcomes. The WRK Group and its partners have raised $246 million for this 14-year project, including a $50 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant.
County Served:
New Castle
Office Location(s):
Wilmington
Sector:
BIPOC-Led (CEO/ED); BIPOC-Led (Sr/Exec Leadership); Civic Engagement & Social Action; Community Advocacy; Community Improvement; Education; Employment; Healthcare; Homelessness & Housing; Human Services; Kids; Neighborhoods; Poverty & Hunger; Public & Societal Benefit; Seniors; Social Justice; Workforce; Youth Development
