What We Do
Civic Engagement
Community Education
Economic Development
Leadership Development
About
CDTech is a catalyst for change in South LA, activating and focusing the potential of residents and businesses. We equip them with the training, strategies and programs they need to be leaders and organizers for neighborhood improvement and economic growth. With 20 years of experience, CDTech combines grassroots participation with strategic policy understanding, creating community development and economic development programs that incorporate deep insight into the actual needs, desires and capabilities of South LA. Grassroots participation, including the development and utilization of local human capital, helps CDTech to deliver self-sustaining programs with long-term, strategic benefits.
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Community Engagement
Community Planning and Economic Development courses lead by CDTech reported to have influenced 83% of students "a great deal" to be more civically engaged or engaged in different ways in their community.
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Advancement in Community Education
With support from CDTech, the Community Planning Program at Los Angeles Trade Technical College saw a student enrollment retention rate of 93% in the 2014-2015 academic year.
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Non-Profit Leadership Development
Last year, the Public Allies, Los Angeles professional and leadership development program retained and graduated 97% of program participants who are now ready for the workforce.
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Economic Development
Last year, our Economic Development program graduated 100% of participants in the UNIDAD Workforce Development program, providing community members with vital workforce skills and connecting them with professional networks.
Our Leadership Team
Staff
Fellows
Board of Directors
Volunteers
Testimonials
Community Blog
Building Inclusivity in the Non-Profit Sector: Public Allies, Los Angeles
The Public Allies Americorps program is a national movement committed to advancing social justice and equity in local communities. Public Allies is now entering into its 25th year of existence and currently operates in 24 communities throughout the United States. CDTech is proud to be a long-time partner, operating the only site in Los Angeles.[…]
That Non-Profit Life: Youth Obtain Job Skills Through Summer Internships
This summer, CDTech hosted five Summer Youth Interns that worked closely with the Civic Engagement team led by CDTech’s Civic Engagement Program Coordinator, Steven Love. The Summer Youth Internship program is in partnership with the CD9 Coalition and the LA Mayor’s Office Hire LA Summer Youth Employment Program, which aims at providing youth with employment[…]
Local Hires are among wins at USC’s new University Village
Friday August 18th kicked off the gradual opening of a variety of retail establishments at the USC Village Development at 3131 South Hoover. Amont the many new retail services to come to USC’s University Village are Target, Trader’s Joe’s, Trejo’s Tacos, the Village Cobbler and Sole Bicycles. CDTech, a member of the UNIDAD Coalition, is[…]
Building Local Power through Apprenticeships
Celebrating the Power of People On June 30th, 2017, nearly 50 young community members, their friends and family filled a room on the Los Angeles Trade Tech campus with exuberant shouts and cheers. They were gathered to celebrate the 6th Annual Celebration of Emerging Leadership, a graduation ceremony recognizing community residents who have engaged in CDTech’s programming[…]
The People’s Plan: Victories for South LA
This letter to community was originally published on the UNIDAD Facebook site. CDTech has been a proud partner in the UNIDAD Coalition for nearly 10 years. The aim in our work with the UNIDAD Coalition is to bring equitable development to South LA in order to create opportunities for residents to live economically healthy and[…]
Rethinking Community Education
Courses in the Community Planning and Economic Development (ComPlan) program for the Los Angeles Trade Technical College Fall 2017 semester have been announced and enrollment is now open. The upcoming semester will offer courses in Popular Education, Research & Organizing, Health Policy among other topics. The courses are part of the Community Planning and Economic[…]
Online Enrollments Now Open!
Enrolling in our programs has become a bit easier! People interested in learning more about community planning, or looking for an affordable professional development opportunity can now enroll online! To enroll, please visit http://college.lattc.edu/student/new-students/ This summer we will be offering an opportunity to be a part of the Community Planning/Labor Studies Changemakers College Academy[…]
Benjamin Torres named Durfee Foundation Sabbatical Awardee, 2017
CDTech President and CEO, Benjamin Torres has been named one of the Durfree Foundation Sabbatical Awardees. Every other year, The Durfee Foundation, whose mission is to “build partnerships with individuals and institutions that share (The Durfee Foundation’s) ideals of creativity, risk-taking, fiscal care, integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and continuous learning” awards six organizational leaders a[…]
LATTC Students Shine at Showcase
LATTC Students Shine at Showcase Los Angeles Trade Technical College Students in the Community Planning and Economic Development Program (also known as ComPlan) shone brightly as they presented their student projects to family, friends and supporters during the ComPlan Student Showcase on June 1st. Student presenters were selected by their course instructors and[…]
Meet Your Future Community Planners!
Join us! CDTech and Los Angeles Trade Tech invite you to join us for our 1st Annual Community Planning & Economic Development Showcase! See Cutting edge student presentations from our top students, The future leaders of our Communities! Keynote address from ComPlan Alumni Haleemah Henerdson, Development Officer at Watts Labor Community Action[…]