West Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation

http://www.westberkeley.com

The Berkeley International Food Festival is presented by the West Berkeley Community Development Corporation. The Festival grew out of an effort between the City of Berkeley and WBNDC to strengthen the economic base of the culturally diverse mix of businesses located in the vicinity of University and San Pablo Avenues in West Berkeley.

WBNDC-logo-1995

Mission of the WBNDC

To promote the economic and social revitalization of West Berkeley, with particular attention to residents who are low-income, elderly, disabled and you, in order to secure a healthy living and working environment for all West Berkeley residents. WBNDC is committed to working in a manner that engenders positive relationships between, and active participation of, West Berkeley residents, community organizations, businesses and public agencies.

WBNDC began in 1989 with a meeting organized by Rev. Marvis V. Peoples, Ed.D. of Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church, after hearing the concerns of many community members and Ministers about the future of West Berkeley. Over 80 people attended the first meeting at the Library on University Avenue. After several other community meetings, WBNDC organized, incorporated and elected its first Board of Directors with Rev. Peoples, Chairman and Carlotta Campbell, Secretary. Several new members joined the Board, including Karen Latimer, Gerald Baptise, Ricardo Noguera and Ed Voris.

We had many concerns and goals in our early years. With funding from the City of Berkeley, we began long-range planning. We helped Thousand Oaks PTA with a special fundraising program for Black History Month. We advocated for the Development Agreement between the City of Berkeley and Miles-Cutter Labs (now Bayer). We sat on the West Berkeley Area Plan Committee and the Save Columbus School projects. We also started working with Albany-Berkeley Interdependent Elders Network (ABIEN), by sponsoring houses for the Christmas-in-April Home Repair program.

At that time we established:

A Wish List for West Berkeley
More subsidized child care for parents who work or attend school (BALDCOA has over 200 families on the waiting list)
More summer jobs and internships for youth
Fully equipped science and computer labs at the new Columbus School
A reasonably priced produce store or Farmers' Market accessible to elders and residents without cars
More residents participating in First Source job referrals
A Marketing Campaign to support businesses along San Pablo Avenue
A Neighborhood Festival to celebrate West Berkeley's cultural diversity
A Mercado or festival marketplace for small entrepreneurs
Paddleboats in Aquatic Park

We are proud of accomplishments and continue to work to make the Berkeley International Food Festival one of the best family events in the City of Berkeley.

For more information on membership, meetings, making a contribution or becoming a Board member, call us at 510-845-4106 or contact us using our contact page.
www.westberkeley.com/pages/contactus.php.