Founded in 1991 by Pastors Patrice and Eugene Sheppard, the Living Word Church addresses the spiritual and emotional needs of the men, women and children living in the District of Columbia’s far southwest and southeast neighborhoods.Located at 4101 Martin Luther King Jr. in southwest DC, the church is open to the public and offers services on Sunday and spiritual, family and community building activities.

Founded in 1998 the Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC) was designed to foster economic development, spur economic growth and improve the quality of life for the residents of far southwest and southeast DC.By promoting brownfield redevelopment and environmental stewardship, the Far SW-SE CDC is laying the foundation for job creation, entrepreneurship, technology training and skill development, affordable housing, recreation and neighborhood sustainability.

On June 12, 2003, Lydia’s House and the Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC) officially opened 3939 “The Zone” marking the completion of a joint public-private effort to provide the residents of Ward 8 with video conferencing capabilities, three state-of-the-art computer labs, after-school youth programs, community rooms and financial and housing counseling services for adults.“The Zone,” located at 3939 South Capitol Street in southwest Washington, DC, allows Lydia’s House to extend its reach into the community by providing social services and educational resources to help children and families compete and thrive in the 21st century. Everyone, including individuals, local businesses and community groups will benefit from the year-round educational programs and technology facilities offered at “The Zone.”

In collaboation with the Lydia’s House workforce education program, YWCA of the National Capitol Area provides GED education to Lydia’s House clients. Participants are given opportunities to take classroom administered, practice Pre-GED tests.