NZBC Urban Corporation

The corporation was stated by the New Zion Baptist Church as a way to bring together resources of the church and the community to help alleviate some of the problems that are affecting the inner city in general and the Barksdale and Airport Annexes communities of Bossier City in particular. As a community and faith based organization NZBC Urban Corporation is endeavoring to bring renewal to a community thus creating a place where people can live, love, learn, and enjoy recreation. The corporation was organized in 1997 and obtained its 501 (c)3 status in 1999. The corporation provides the following programs and services:

Child Care

The New Horizon Child Development Center is being expanded to provide quality child care services for children from birth to fourteen. The child care center operates from 6:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Project YES

Project YES (Youth Excelling Scholastically) is an after school program designed to assist students in raising their academic level. Elementary, middle and high school students are given one-on-one assistance with home work and standardized tests. Students are also provied the oportunity to participate in enrichment clases in a safe environment. Students are encouraged to participate in recreational activities that will help deal with the issue of obesity. The focus of the program is on primary prevention strategies. The after school program is being operated from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. In the future organized after school sports will be added to allow students to have a safe place after school to have fun. Once a sports component is added the hours will be extended to 8:30 p.m. Monday- Thursday.

Joyful Parenting:

This is a series of classes that help parents develop the art of parenting. Many of the participants have been recovering addicts who needed help in order to get their children back from the State. In the future a GED class will be added to help adults acquire their GED which will help in getting a job or a better job.

New Beginning Outpatient Treatment Center:

The Center provides treatment to clients with addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling, destructive behavior and mental illness. This program is carried out through education on a group and individual basis. It is therapeutic, and it is taken directly to the communities that are being affected by various abnormalities.

Affordable Housing:

Through Project Acquisition the corporation is working to assist families in owning their own houses. The corporation is looking to acquire adjudicated lots from the city of Bossier City on which affordable houses will be built for low income families, who in most cases will be first time home buyers. The Homebuyers Education Program will help prepare buyers to acquire a new home, which in most part will be their first home.

By providing these services, the corporation is seeking to impact the whole family by way of child care for working families, educational help for children and adults, parenting classes for parents, substance abuse prevention programs and affordable housing for the family. With this approach we will have a better chance of impacting one family at a time which will eventually bring about renewal to the entire community.