(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 11, 2002 ) Nehemiah Corporation of California, the largest privately funded nonprofit provider of down payment assistance, on February 11 presented the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change a $25,000 grant for use toward general operational expenditures in 2002. As a part of Nehemiah's Black History Month celebration, the organization's Founder and Chairman, Don Harris, will personally present the grant to the executive staff at the King Center. "Routinely, African-Americans do not experience intergenerational wealth transfer, which has historically been linked to the effects of slavery," said Don F. Harris, founder and chairman of Nehemiah Corporation. "In a 1965 interview, Dr. King was asked whether he believed that reparations were in order for African-Americans as a result of slavery. In explaining his rationale for the need for some form of redress, King stated 'The closest analogy is the GI Bill of Rights. Negro rehabilitation in America would require approximately the same breadth of program, which would not place an undue burden on our economy. Just as was the case with the returning soldier, such a bill for the disadvantaged and impoverished could enable them to buy homes without cash, at lower and easier repayment terms.' This is the nexus of The Nehemiah Program®, through which we are working to increase homeownership and create sustainable family wealth." "We are pleased to accept this grant from the Nehemiah Corporation," said Rev. Bernice King, secretary, King Center Board of Directors. "Nehemiah's focus on creating and sustaining family wealth through homeownership is a direct reflection of my father's unwavering efforts to create a fair and just society. We are certain that Nehemiah's continued success will be instrumental in rebuilding and strengthening America's urban communities. We are looking forward to working with them on an ongoing basis." "Dr. King has been a source of inspiration and guidance for Nehemiah since our founding, and it is a great honor to be able to help support the continuance of his work through this gift to the King Center," commented Hazaiah Williams, executive director of the Nehemiah Community Foundation. "Our commitment to ensuring that America realizes Dr. King's dream is evident in our ongoing efforts to revitalize and rebuild communities." About the Nehemiah Corporation of California Founded in 1994, Nehemiah Corporation of California (www.getdownpayment.com) is a Sacramento-based, nonprofit organization committed to rebuilding communities from the inside out. Through its direct provision of homeownership, affordable housing and support of other faith-based and community-based organizations, Nehemiah serves as a catalyst for urban wealth creation and economic empowerment. In 1997, Nehemiah launched its flagship program, the Nehemiah Program®, to provide down payment assistance to homebuyers. To date, Nehemiah has provided more than $335 million in down payment assistance gifts, resulting in $11 billion in real estate transactions and helped more than 100,000 families and individuals achieve their dream of homeownership. Committed to community reinvestment, the monies generated by Nehemiah have fostered partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and the US Conference of Mayors. In addition, the program helps to fund the Nehemiah Urban Ministries, Nehemiah Urban Land Trust, Nehemiah Community Reinvestment Fund, and Nehemiah Community Foundation, among other programs committed to rebuilding cities from the inside out. --------------- Produced for Nehemiah Corporation of California Contact:Dana FieldsSloane & Company212-446-1878 ---------------

Contact Information:
Nehemiah Corporation of California
Joseph Nchor
Tel:
Email us


This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.