Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corporation was founded in 1984 by Bishop James Tindall and Ollie Gates with a vision to revitalize the neighborhoods of East Kansas City. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a community-driven nonprofit committed to restoring hope, opportunity and stability for families across the region.

In 2009, Dwaynes Williams stepped into leadership and expanded the organization’s reach. Under his guidance, we launched impactful programs that continue to shape lives today—from our Re-Entry and Prevention Program supporting individuals returning to society, to our youth outreach initiatives that give children from low-income families the chance to experience the joy of the zoo, a baseball game, the theatre, or a holiday gift from Santa’s Wonderland.

Alongside our people-focused programs, we invest in affordable housing development as a foundation for long-term community wellness. Today, we proudly serve as co-owners of Jazz Hill and Parade Park Homes and manage Benard Village, a senior living community.