From Left to Right: Dr. Denise Fairchild, Ray F. Reisler, Miesha Watson,
Benjamin Torres.

The S. Mark Taper Foundation to Sponsor Young Leaders

The S. Mark Taper Foundation has awarded CDTech a $200,000 grant to sponsor 25 young adults over the next five years in the Public Allies Los Angeles program. Public Allies is a national AmeriCorps-funded program that operates in 15 communities across the United States to advance diverse young leaders aged 18-30 in strengthening communities, nonprofits and civic participation. Since 2006, CDTech has served as the Los Angeles affiliate for the Public Allies program.

Click for more details

Leaders

Working Communities

CDTech’s goal is to transform low-income, historically neglected communities of Los Angeles into COMMUNITIES THAT WORK.   Creating Communities that Work encompass three core elements:  working families, working capital and working democracy.  CDTech combines quality research, educational and direct service programs to address these 3 inter-related targets. 

Working Families.  Communities don’t work if families that live there don’t.  Our working family programs prepare un/underemployed residents to be competitive in the labor market.  CDTech functions as a workforce intermediary specializing in sector employment strategies.  Our track record includes over 10 years of experience working with manufacturing, health, technology and the entertainment industries, providing:

• Labor market studies
• Cluster/network development,
• Basic skills and ESL training for incumbent workers
• Workplace financial literacy training,
• Design and delivery of customized technical skills training programs.

Working Capital.   As the saying goes “you can’t work your way out of poverty”. Family economic self-sufficiency and effective communities require a range of financial services and resources.  The goal of the working capital program is to move families into the economic mainstream by increasing their access to basic financial services and assets.  CDTech working capital portfolio includes a unique track record and capacities, including:

• Mortgage Finance Career Training prepares approximately 250 students a year for jobs and careers in mortgage lending, specifically in emerging (low-income) markets;
• Employer-based IDA demonstration program that openedp 350 accounts for low wage workers
• An innovative Web-based (on-line) credit counseling system for low wage workers

Working Democracy.  Communities work best when there is an informed, active and skilled citizenry.  A working democracy entails strong community associations, resident engagement in community and political life, inter-ethnic and cross-cultural relationships that build social capital and strong communities.  The Working Democracy Division programs include:

• Community Organizing and Planning Academic Program – that prepares 200 low income residents and high school students a year for community development careers using contextualized learning..
• Youth Leadership Development. The Public Allies Program trains 30 youth (14-29) in a year long community service career and leadership development program.
• Health Advocacy and Leadership Development – Training grassroots leaders are trained as health advocates in a new skills and degree program.

News and Updates

April 28, 2008
CDTech Staff Directory

April 28, 2008
The S. Mark Taper Foundation to Sponsor Young Leaders

April 01, 2008
SNHU's School of Community Economic Development, Los Angeles Center