History

The work of Apostle Phillip Anthony Walker and Mt. Pleasant Worship and Outreach Center (MPWOC) is at the foundation of Tree of Life Community Development Corporation, which received is formal tax-exempt status as a 501(c)3 in winter 2015.

Tree of Life CDC was created as a logical outgrowth of the 52-year-old religious institution with a rich and long history of dedication to community service.

Tree of Life Community Development Corporation began as an outreach ministry of Mt. Pleasant Worship and Outreach Center, a nondenominational church in Southeast Raleigh. Over the years, the church has created and run several successful community programs:

Strategically Organized for Action and Results (S.O.A.R 110). Apostle Walker helped spearhead this citywide gang-abatement initiative, which combats gang violence and facilitates prisoner reentry programs through job training, counseling and recreation.
Homework Haven, an after-school program for students with the assistance of adult tutors.

In addition, MPWOC has participated in citywide economic development programs, including Weed and Seed, a U.S. Department of Justice community-based program whose goal is to prevent, control and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods.

The appointment of a chief executive officer and executive director helped complete the transition of Tree of Life into a separate entity focused on the social, educational and economic needs of the surrounding community.