OUR HISTORY
Grand Park Community
In 1990, the Grand Park Community was designated a blighted community by the Mayor of the City of Jacksonville. The community is plagued with high crime rates, low home ownership, increasing high school drop out rates, high unemployment, drug use and social unrest. Horizon Community Development Corporation was created to address the educational and socio-economic issues of the community.
The latest U.S. Census data shows there are 34,945 residents in the 32209 zip code of the Grand Park Community. Of these residents 30,813 are African American, 3,016 are Caucasian American, 1,116 are of other races. 52.6% of the population are female while 47.4% are male. Population indicators show 27.2% of the residents are under the age of 18; 26.7% are between the ages of 18; 39. 28.3% are between the ages of 40 and 64. 17.8% are over 65 years old. The median age is 34. 6,938 of the children (73%) are from families who receive public assistance. These families are considered to be just above the poverty level. The median household income is $22,499.
The total number of children in the area is 9,505. Children living in biological, step or adopted homes make up 79% of the total number of children. Children living with grandparents make up 14.3%. Children living with other relatives make up 4.5% and children in foster homes make up 2.3%. Children living with parents and their unmarried partners make up 14.6%. The total number of housing units in the zip code is 16,772 units. Owner-occupied housing makes up only 25.2% of the total housing units and renter-occupied housing makes up 74.8%. 13.8% of the residents have Bachelors or Associate Degrees, 2.09% have Graduate Degrees, 61.7% are high school graduates and 21.6% have GED’s or are non-degreed. Our organization has impacted the 32207, 32208 and 32209 zip codes. Students that attend our school live in zip code areas located beyond the three previously mentioned. Therefore, we have a regional impact on the northwest communities of Jacksonville.
Horizon Community Development Corporation currently develops and implements educational, social and community projects in response to the data shown in the above demographics.
Educational Program
Founded by the HCDC in 2007, Temple College Preparatory School (TCP) is a Kindergarten through 12th grade private school located in the Grand Park Community. Temple College Preparatory School is a non-profit educational organization that received full accreditation in 2011, 2016 and 2022. TCP’s current accreditation does not end until 2027. The success of TCP’s educational program is attributed to providing degreed teachers, using best teaching practices, coordinating supportive social services, and maintaining a positive caring educational environment.
Temple College Preparatory School's mission is to increase the graduation percentage rate of students in Jacksonville’s low income northwest quadrant in order to help students be successful in the global market place. To accomplish this mission TCP employs only teachers with bachelor degrees or higher and use the Nine Best Practices in Education standards. The nine standards are: clear focus, high standards, strong leadership, supportive learning, parent involvement, assessment monitoring, accredited curriculum, professional development and timely instruction.
TCP’s goal is to assist students in three areas: improve their grades, build moral character, and academically prepare them for the future. We believe that the best way for students to have a competitive advantage in society is to instill in them the need for a college education or professional career. TCP has experienced success with its past graduates who have entered into the job force, technical school, military and college.
S.T.E.A.M. Curriculum
Temple College Preparatory School offers a Science Technology, Engineering, Architecture and Mathematics (STEAM) curriculum for Kindergarten through 12th grade students. TCP has offered STEAM courses from 2008 to present. The STEAM courses include physics, chemistry, computer technology, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, basic drawing, advanced art, architecture, algebra and trigonometry. All of the STEAM instructors have bachelor/doctorate degrees or have a license in their specific profession. Mathematics and chemistry professors from Florida State College at Jacksonville periodically teach and tutor TCP students. TCP architectural classes are taught by a licensed architect who holds a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) national certification which allows him to pratice architecture in 48 states.
Social Programs
Horizon Community Development Corporation has continuously provided various community services in the Gran Park community for over 25 years. In order to provide these services HCDC has partnered with United Way Full Service Schools, Gateway Mental Health Services, River Region Human Services, Duval County Health Department, Wells Fargo Bank, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), Duval County Teen Court Division, Jacksonville Urban League, Police Athletic League, NAACP, Jacksonville Fire Department, Duval County Public Schools, Several Local Food Banks, and numerous other organizations. HCDC has sponsored large outdoor events where free food and clothing were given away to those who were in need. Because of the success of our community programs, HCDC has received several awards and recognitions from several local agencies.
Affordable Housing
Horizon Community Development Corporation engineered the Chief Cornerstone Affordable Homes affordable housing designs for the Grand Park Community. The in-fill home designs met the low income design criteria for Duval and St. Johns County's affordable housing programs. The various home designs were approved for funding by Fannie Mae and marketed to residents that qualified for affordable housing in the Grand Park Community and Duval and St. Johns counties. In 2007, the initial affordable home constructed by HCDC was given the Mayor's Award for "Affordable House of the Year". There were 60 affordable home designs, from local builders included in the competition. The home designs ranged from 1,100 to 1,300 square feet.
Community Development Projects
Horizon Community Development Corporation has purchased and demolished seven structures that were used for selling drugs, harboring drug addicts, prostitution and other illegal activities. HCDC Temple College preparatory School is located on a property that was formerly used for selling drugs. The school building cost $2 million dollars to construct. HCDC renovated a single story historic brick structure and converted the building into TCP's school annex.
Currently, the Horizon Community Development Corporation is proposing to construct a new facility called the Horizon Center. The need for increased Grand Park Community services was caused by the global pandemic. This community experienced traumatic decreases in school attendance, food availability, economic decline and social problems like many other communities around the country. Horizon’s current facilities are not adequate enough to service the increased needs of the residents. Many of our community partners mentioned above are overwhelmed with requests for help as well.
The Horizon Center Project is designed to provide additional social services as well as a expanded Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) program to help elevate the academic levels of the Grand Park Community children. The proposed programs include developing a after school mathematics and chemistry lab for middle and high school students, behavioral counseling services, summer educational services, financial counseling, mental health support, opportunities for teen and adult leadership training, job and business training, and a community food pantry. HCDC has provided some of these services in the past using volunteer help and inadequate facilities. The Horizon Center Project gives our organization the opportunity to create a modern multi-functional, multi-purpose facility that will allow us to reach more people and provide better services.
