Jericho Village, Wylie’s first income-based urban housing village, has officially opened its doors. The 38-unit development, located at 511 W. Brown St., is a project of the Plano-based Agape Resource & Assistance Center, founded by CEO Janet Collinsworth to help women and families transition from homelessness, domestic violence, and human trafficking.

A Community of Support

The community offers studio to three-bedroom apartments, including ADA-accessible units, along with on-site education, counseling, and other wraparound services that promote long-term stability. The celebration featured food trucks, face painting, a Wylie Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony, and remarks from civic and community leaders marking the project’s significance.

Wylie Mayor Matthew Porter recalled one of his first meetings after taking office, when he was introduced to the Jericho Village concept. Porter said the name of Agape immediately resonated with him because of a family heirloom bearing the same Greek word, which represents unconditional love.

Jericho Village resident Keoni Hudson became emotional while describing what the community has meant to her family during the grand opening celebration. Hudson’s story reflects the vision behind Jericho Village. After escaping a domestic violence situation, she moved from Agape’s transitional housing into the village with her two children.

Collinsworth emphasized that the housing itself is only one part of the organization’s mission. The secret to transforming lives is not a roof, but the love, prayer, and hope provided through the wraparound services. The same educational, counseling, and empowerment services already offered through Agape will now be available on-site to Jericho Village residents.

Original reporting: Wylie News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.