Our Mission
We strive to assist low-income, single-parent families transition to financial independence and personal self-sufficiency.
What We Offer
Townhomes
With 50 two- and three-bedroom townhomes in a gated and secure community, Wilson Commencement Park offers program-based, affordable housing to low-income, single-parent families.
Destiny
Destiny is our secure, 18-apartment unit complex located on the Wilson Commencement Park campus for women who have experienced domestic violence and for people who are living with mental health diagnoses or disabilities.
Workshops
Communiversity Workshops are available to assist families striving to achieve economic and social stability, increase their independent earning power, and break the cycle of poverty and public benefits dependence.
Youth Development
Ongoing youth development programs are also available for school-aged children and youth, including summer camps.
Support Services
Other support services include:
On-site case management
Crisis intervention
Life-skills coaching
Our Impact
At Wilson Commencement Park, we work directly with families. We believe in supporting families and providing necessary resources, assistance, and a safe environment to achieve self-sufficiency. Through our programs, we have been able to reach significant milestones and have made a true impact in the lives of the families we serve.
Youth Program Outcomes
Through our youth program we have achieved great outcomes:
Self-Confidence
Improved self-confidence of participating youth
Engagement
Increased attendance and engagement at school for participating youth
Academics
Improved academic performance
Behaviors
Reduction or avoidance of risky behaviors for participating youth, including drug/alcohol use, sexual activity, and criminal activity
Stories from Wilson Commencement Park
Meet John
When John moved to Wilson Commencement Park in January of 2019, he was a single parent of a preteen son. John was determined to prove to his son that he had changed and that his son could count on him. The path to becoming a successful father did not come easy for John. After seven years of battling a drug addiction and three years of recovery, John still faced struggles that slowed down his progress towards self-sufficiency. Four months before moving into Wilson Commencement Park John’s son lost his mother, making him an overnight single father. “Every day I wake up with thoughts of using, but I know where that leads, and I am the only one my son has.”
At Wilson Commencement Park, John is taking his next steps forward. Along with planning his educational and professional paths, John is excited about his journey as a father. In a short time, he has become a fiercely dedicated father for his son who is now quick to brag about him.
John continues to attend all his recovery programs and is enrolled in a GED class. He also has secured employment in construction where he worked before drugs entered his life. Additionally John is working towards becoming a mentor to the youth in his community and is seeking out volunteer opportunities.
“Wilson Commencement Park is a place where opportunities are available to you, and not a moment goes by that I don’t appreciate it! I owe this to my son and much more.”
Meet Paula
Paula came to Wilson Commence Park mid-2019 from New York City with her two children. She was a victim of domestic violence and feared for her life. Paula escaped with only the clothes she and her children were wearing. After an eight hour trip, Paula arrived in Rochester and immediately found herself and her children in a shelter.
At the shelter, she heard about Wilson Commencement Park and within two weeks, Paula moved in. With the help of case managers and generous friends from Wilson Commencement Park who donated clothing, furniture and other items, Paula soon had an entire apartment of furniture.
Wilson Commencement Park played a role in Paula’s success journey by providing her with a new beginning. “Everything here has been good and positive”. Paula began looking for a job and within a few weeks secured a position at a local hospital. Her sons enjoy our youth programs and look forward to going every day after school. Her sons have also participated in our Wilson Commencement Park summer program and even attended our week-long, overnight camp. One of Paula’s goals is to become totally self-sufficient and independent of DHS.
“I am not taking this second chance lightly. I will do whatever it takes to make a better life for me and my children. You saved my life and the lives of my children. Wilson Commencement Park has provided the boys and me with the resources we needed to strive toward self-sufficiency and we’ve been doing just that.”
Meet Vanessa
Vanessa, a young 21-year-old mother of 6-year-old twin boys, arrived at Wilson Commencement Park in December 2019. It was her first time being responsible for her own home, raising children, and making a life for herself — many challenges for a young woman who was not quite grown herself.
“I struggled with so much responsibility and don’t know what I would have done without the support of my Case Manager. She was so caring, but also when I wanted to give up, she reminded me about the goals I had set for myself.”
Vanessa says that the Study Buddy program has been a tremendous help for herself and her sons. The program not only supported her sons with their homework but is teaching them how to express their emotions in a positive way. The Study Buddy program also is providing a much needed break for Vanessa to be able to focus on her evening programs here at Wilson Commencement Park. Vanessa says that she has seen a real change in her sons because of the program, “They’re [Vanessa’s sons] are more vocal now and they are not so shy anymore.”
With help from our parenting classes, education programs, and our youth programs such as our Study Buddy program, Vanessa is becoming more and more self-sufficient. She recently enrolled in a local community college and is pursuing a career in early childhood education. “At Wilson, I’m learning how to accomplish my goals one step at a time.” With Wilson Commencement Park as her support team, Vanessa has set a new goal to become a homeowner and has enrolled in a first-time homebuyer program. Her hope is to own her new home before graduating from Wilson Commencement Park.
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Full website coming soon!
