Knowledge Center
WSFS and Be Ready Community Development Corporation Team Up To Help Revitalize Wilmington Neighborhood
educating-myself | Read Time: 2 minutes
By WSFS Contributor | Published: August 2020

Pastor Lottie Lee-Davis of the Be Ready Community Development Corporation first began working alongside WSFS in about 2016 through serving on the Steering Committee for West Side Grows Together with WSFS Associate Jeff Graf, a Retail Office Manager.
In the four years since, the relationship between WSFS and Be Ready – a community service organization providing housing, youth services, employment services, food and clothing programs and economic development initiatives – has expanded to include work on Solomon’s Court, an affordable housing unit set to begin construction in September.
“WSFS’ contributions to this project extend beyond just a donation,” said Lee-Davis. “Jeff Graf and the other members of the West Side Grows Together Steering Committee met with the Mayor of Wilmington and other city leadership to get approval and support from the city as the project progresses. Solomon’s Court is just one portion of the project we’re working on with West Side Grows Together and will be instrumental in our efforts to revitalize the area.”
With a planned completion date of August 2021, Solomon’s Court will provide 6 affordable housing units, 4 of which will be reserved for those with disabilities, as well as 1,600 square feet of commercial space for small businesses along West 4th Street in Wilmington, Del.
“We’re proud to be partnering with Be Ready on such an important project,” said Vernita Dorsey, Senior Vice President, Director of Community Strategy at WSFS. “I’ve been very impressed and inspired with the level of support that the community has provided to make this project come to fruition and improve the Upper Westside of the city.”
“Without donations from partners like WSFS, this project wouldn’t be possible,” said Lee-Davis. “In order to keep the units affordable, it was key that we receive donations like the ones from WSFS in order to keep development costs down. With the help of all our gracious donors, we’re on track to complete a $3 million project having only taken out $250,000 in traditional loans to keep the residential and commercial units affordable.”
Related Articles

WSFS Pivots Volunteer and Donation Efforts to Continue Community Support During COVID
The pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the communities in which we live and work. As the needs of many have increased, so too have the hurdles for providing support to nonprofit and community organizations in a safe, socially distanced way.
Read More
Why Should You Give Back to Your Community?
While we often stress how saving can help lead to a better life, it is just as important to remember to be a giver as well.
Read More
Tips for How To Give Back to Your Community
Now, more than ever, communities and their nonprofit organizations need support. Social distancing has provided an extra hurdle for nonprofits to assist those in need, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Read More
WSFS and Anthony Penna Charitable Fund Band Together to Support a Local School’s Music Program
Corynn Ciber, Senior Vice President & Chief Digital Officer at WSFS Bank, first became aware of the Anthony Penna Charitable Fund’s work in the Delaware community a few years ago.
Read More
WSFS Interns Help Bring Projects to Life to Assist Customers
For many students, internships help forge a path for their future careers, enabling them to gain hands-on experience and determine what type of work inspires them.
Read More