Zechariah 8: 1-6: “The Lord All-Powerful said to me: I love Zion so much that her enemies make me angry. I will return to Jerusalem and live there on Mount Zion. Then Jerusalem will be known as my faithful city, and Zion will be known as my holy mountain. Very old people with walking sticks will once again sit around in Jerusalem, while boys and girls play in the streets. This may seem impossible for my people who are left, but it isn’t impossible for me the Lord All-Powerful.” (CEV)

The greatest crisis in the urban community of America is the breakdown of the family and of the community. A staggering 73 percent of the nation’s black children are born out-of-wedlock.

Z8 is the brainchild of Elizabeth Perkins, Foundation’s Co-President. After many years of working with youth, she came to the conclusion that our youth needed a family environment, an environment similar to what is described in Zechariah 8. It would be an environment where the values, culture and heritage of the old could be transferred to the young. This project grew out of a concern to transfer these virtues. 

Z8 is located in the heart of West Jackson which has all the symptoms of becoming one of the highest crime areas in the nation. Our target is a 13-block area in West Jackson, bordered by Claiborne Ave., Lynch Street, Prentiss Street and Capital Street. Over time we have anchored responsible families who have become caretakers of homes in our community.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please download and complete our preliminary application by clicking here.