COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

WORD OF LIFE INTERNATIONAL INC
BRONX, NY · EIN 392063356 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE P20 · Human Services · Medium ($1M-$10M) · wordoflifefornewyorkcity.org
revenue
$4.6M
expenses
$4.3M
net assets
$883K
employees
5
volunteers
85
program ratio
100%
mission · from form 990

The mission of Word of Life International Inc. is to empower and uplift underserved communities, particularly in the South Bronx neighborhoods of New York City, by providing comprehensive healthcare outreach services,social sopport programs, and advocacy efforts. Through a community-based approach, we aim to address health disparities, promote health equity, and foster stable and independent living.

profile · synthesized from sources

Word of Life International Inc. is a community-based organization serving underserved populations in the South Bronx and internationally. It provides food assistance, healthcare access, social services, and youth and senior programs locally, while supporting international projects focused on education, clean water, and economic development. The organization integrates direct service with health equity and community empowerment initiatives.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $175K
    The mobile food pantry program at Word of Life International Inc. brings essential food assistance directly to underserved communities in the South Bronx neighborhoods of New York City. Through a mobile distribution model, we partner with local organizations and community centers to set up temporary food distribution sites in areas with limited access to traditional food resources. By bringing the pantry directly to the community, we aim to increase access to healthy food options, reduce transportation barriers, and ensure that all residents can meet their basic nutritional needs.
  2. #2 $338K
    The healthcare access and equity program at Word of Life International Inc focuses on addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes within underserved communities. Through a multifaceted approach , we work to improve access to quality healthcare services, promote health education and literacy, and advocate for policies that advance health equity. Our program offers a range of services, including healthcare navigation assistance, preventive screenings, health education workshops, and referrals to healthcare providers and social services.
named programs · 16 · from sources

What they call their work

Adinkra Crafts Village
Supports traditional Adinkra symbol crafting in Ntonso, Ghana, promoting cultural heritage and sustainable tourism.
Blood Pressure Monitoring
Weekly blood pressure screenings in partnership with NYC Department of Health, with referrals for medical follow-up.
Calvary Ministries/Faith Bible College
Bible school training and feeding program for low-income individuals in Mumbai, India.
Case Management
Supportive social services including housing eviction prevention, Medicaid and SNAP application assistance, health insurance enrollment, and homeless outreach.
Community Fitness
Free weekly fitness classes led by certified instructors and volunteers, promoting health and wellness in the community.
Counseling
Licensed Clinical Social Workers provide mental health counseling and connect clients to public benefits, housing, legal assistance, and health services.
Feed the Community
Mobile food pantry providing food assistance to individuals and families in the South Bronx, targeting food insecurity and inequity.
FreshConnect Food Box
Partnership with GrowNYC allowing SNAP users to order fresh, organic fruits and vegetables directly from farms via a community share model.
HIV/AIDS Outreach
Free outreach, education, workshops, and on-site testing in partnership with National Black Leadership Commission on Health, Inc.
Ita'i Weaving Training Center
Hand-woven fashion and home goods brand in Okene, Nigeria, preserving cultural heritage and providing economic opportunities.
Job Screening and Referral
Partnership with Workforce 1 to provide job readiness support, screenings, referrals, and skill-building for unemployed individuals.
Nutrition Training
Program teaching individuals and families to prepare healthy meals, stretch food budgets, and reduce obesity and diabetes through better nutrition.
Senior Wellness
Weekly program for adults 55+ offering free health screenings, fitness classes, meals, pantry access, and civic engagement opportunities.
Stay-In-School Program
Supports homeless and low-income children in Lagos, Nigeria with school supplies and after-school programs to promote education and skill development.
Utan Community Water Project
Provides free clean water supply to the Utan area of Jos, Nigeria, improving health and freeing time for productive activities.
Youth Enrichment
Program offering leadership development, community service, and academic support for youth from middle school through college.
activities · 12 groups

What they do

  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 3 activities
    • Deliver mobile food pantry services in underserved areas
      Operates a mobile food pantry that brings essential food assistance directly to underserved communities in the South Bronx, increasing access for residents with limited mobility or transportation.
    • Operate community food pantry in the South Bronx
      Provides food support to individuals and families at risk of hunger through a weekly food pantry held on Saturdays at 11 AM in the South Bronx, offering direct access to essential groceries.
    • Run Food For Seniors Program
      Distributes food to seniors through a weekly program held on Thursdays at 11 AM in the South Bronx, specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of older adults.
  • Community Health Equity Initiatives 1 activity
    • Deliver healthcare access and equity services
      Provides healthcare navigation, preventive screenings, health education workshops, and referrals to medical providers and social services for underserved communities to improve health outcomes and access.
  • Girls' Education Access Initiatives 1 activity
    • Operate stay-in-school program in Lagos, Nigeria
      Equips homeless and low-income children in Lagos, Nigeria with the resources and support needed to maintain school attendance and educational engagement.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Provide after-school extra-mural classes in Lagos, Nigeria
      Offers after-school programs for students in Lagos, Nigeria to develop talents and skills beyond standard academics, promoting holistic youth development.
  • Clean Water Infrastructure and Access 1 activity
    • Provide clean water access in Jos, Nigeria
      Provides free water supply to the Utan community in Jos, Nigeria, improving public health and overall well-being through reliable access to clean water.
  • Direct Mental Health Counseling and Support Services 1 activity
    • Provide counseling services
      Offers mental health counseling services through Licensed Clinical Social Workers to clients and community residents to support emotional and psychological well-being.
  • Community Wellness Movement Classes 1 activity
    • Provide senior fitness and wellness programs
      Offers weekly fitness classes and wellness activities for seniors, including free health and fitness classes, nutrition education, health screenings, and meals, held on Thursdays at 10 AM and integrated into a broader senior wellness program for adults 55 and older.
  • Public Benefits Navigation and Enrollment 1 activity
    • Provide social services and case management
      Offers comprehensive social services including case management, housing eviction prevention, Medicaid and SNAP applications, health insurance enrollment, immigration referrals, and homeless outreach on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 12 PM in the South Bronx.
  • Local Food Systems Development 1 activity
    • Run FreshConnect Food Box Program for fresh produce access
      Enables clients and community residents to order fresh and organic produce directly from farms using a farm share model, accepting SNAP benefits to improve access to nutritious food.
  • Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Run youth enrichment programs
      Offers youth enrichment programs for middle school through college students, focusing on leadership development, community service, academic support, and empowerment through partnerships with educational and youth development organizations.
  • Faith-Based Integrated Support Services 1 activity
    • Support education and feeding programs in India
      Supports Bible school training and a feeding program for low-income individuals and families in Bombay, India through partnership with Calvary Ministries/Faith Bible College.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Deliver nutrition education to clients
      Provides bi-monthly nutrition education to 25–30 clients, teaching meal preparation, smart shopping, Farmers' Market participation, and healthy lifestyle adoption, with additional training available on meal planning and budgeting strategies.
    • Operate ITA'I - OUR CLOTH hand-woven brand in Okene, Nigeria
      Runs a hand-woven fashion and home goods brand in Okene, Nigeria that promotes African cultural heritage through traditional craftsmanship and sustainable production.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.57M
Contributions & grants$4.57M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$4.28M
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$310K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$1.26M
Cash$103K
Investments$0
Liabilities$373K
Net assets$883K
Liquid reserves0.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +23.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
FELICIA UDO-OKON SECRETARY 40 $53K
JOHN UDO-OKON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $37K
board members · 3
  • BISMARK ASIEDU — CHAIRMAN
  • GODSON AGBODO — BOARD MEMBER
  • ROSELYN EPHRAIM — TREASURER
relationships · 15

Who they work with

  • Calvary Ministries/Faith Bible College Partner — Partner organization in Bombay, India delivering Bible school training and a feeding program.
  • Colleges Partner — Partners with colleges to support youth empowerment and academic development.
  • Facebook Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement
  • GrowNYC Partner — Collaborates on the FreshConnect Food Box Program to provide fresh, organic produce to community members using a farm share model.
  • Instagram Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement
  • Lyft-Citi Bike Partner — Collaborates to promote the Citi Bike Share program in the Bronx.
  • Middle/High Schools Partner — Collaborates with middle and high schools to deliver youth enrichment and leadership programs.
  • NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Government — Partners to provide weekly blood pressure screenings to reduce hypertension in the community.
  • National Black Leadership Commission on Health, Inc. Partner — Collaborates on HIV/AIDS outreach, workshops, seminars, and on-site testing and referrals.
  • Ntonso Adinkra Craft Village Partner — Partner craft village in Ghana preserving traditional Adinkra symbol production.
  • Universities Partner — Works with universities to provide youth enrichment, leadership development, and academic support.
  • Workforce 1, Bronx Office Partner — Partners to provide job screenings, referrals, and skill-building support for unemployed individuals.
  • community centers Partner — Collaborates with community centers to host mobile food pantry distribution sites in underserved areas.
  • local organizations Partner — Partners with local organizations to establish temporary food distribution sites for the mobile food pantry program.
  • youth development organizations Partner — Works with youth development organizations to expand opportunities for youth leadership, service, and academic success.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Strengthening Through Food Security
    methodology: community_strengthening
    By addressing food insecurity, we strengthen families and build community resilience, because access to nutritious food is foundational to stable, empowered communities in the South Bronx.
  • Integrated Social Services Model
    methodology: integrated_social_services
    By combining counseling, nutrition support, and access to public benefits, we promote client stability and self-sufficiency, because holistic support addresses interconnected barriers to well-being more effectively than siloed services.
  • Mobile Distribution to Reduce Access Barriers
    methodology: mobile_distribution
    By bringing food assistance directly to underserved communities via mobile distribution, we increase access and utilization, because reducing transportation barriers enables participation from those most affected by structural inequities.
  • Nutrition as Disease Prevention
    methodology: nutrition_as_prevention
    By providing nutrition education and hands-on cooking training, we reduce the burden of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity, because knowledge and practical skills enable sustainable dietary change in high-risk populations.