CRCD staff and youth gather to distribute fresh produce boxes to the community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2020
CRCD Media Contact:
Lisa Winkle, lwinkle@coalitionrcd.org
CRCD Announces HUD Envision Center Designation
Organization now poised to expanded partnerships as the first EnVision Center in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA – The Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) has been designated as an EnVision Center by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The center is the first of its kind to open in the City of Los Angeles and will enhance CRCD’s full spectrum of services addressing youth and workforce development, education, housing instability, and long-term system neglect. The video announcement can be seen here.
EnVision Centers provide communities with a centralized hub to access support in the following four pillars: Economic Empowerment, Educational Advancement, Health and Wellness, and Character and Leadership.
“EnVision Centers are built on the idea that HUD’s true measure of success is not how many we can get into our programs, but how many we can lift out,” said HUD Regional Administrator Christopher Patterson. “With this designation, CRCD will enhance their broad spectrum of services to support economic and financial stability, educational advancement, food security, and young leader development in South Los Angeles and, specifically, in the South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone.”
As an EnVision Center, CRCD will expand their capacity to serve the South Los Angeles community by growing their existing partnerships to include connections to federal agencies to bring new resources to the community. Thanks to the EnVision Center designation, CRCD was referred to Worldwide Produce through USDA. That partnership which has already resulted in hundreds of fresh produce boxes delivered to area residents to address food insecurity in the area.
As a part of the USDA’s nationwide Farmers to Families Food Box Program, Worldwide Produce donated hundreds of produce boxes to those in need through CRCD. “Giving back to our community and supporting our farmers are foundational values of Worldwide Produce and we are proud to represent the USDA’s program in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California,” comment Jane Cowan, Worldwide Produce account executive. “We hope this is the first of many food distribution events to support South LA in partnership with the Envision Center and CRCD on behalf of the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program.”
“We are honored to be opening the first EnVision Center in Los Angeles. CRCD has been dedicated to lifting-up the young people and residents of South LA for 15 years. We appreciate that HUD has recognized our commitment to assisting the community and has recognized the need in the area,” said CRCD President and CEO, Mark Wilson. “The EnVision Center will be housed at the 28th Street YMCA, where the Youth Development and Workforce & Economic Development departments have continued to work through COVID shut-downs. This will allow CRCD to expand our delivery of services and bridge the gap between access to education, jobs, and stable housing.”
“For the past 15 years, CRCD has offered countless opportunities and support for the youth of South Los Angeles, delivering hope, guidance and mentorship to help them realize their full potential,” said Councilman Curren Price. “The designation given to them by HUD as an EnVision Center not only recognizes their influence and power to meet the needs of the community but will solidify their mission to improve the quality of life for each of the young people they are able to help. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.”
“The Promise Zone initiative sought to build cross-sector, high-impact partnerships in place-based contexts. As an EnVision Center, CRCD will be even more equipped to continue building these initiatives, and SLATE-Z is excited to deepen our collaboration,” said Interim Executive Director at SLATE-Z, Paul Pulido.
Click here to view the CRCD EnVision Center Designation announcement.
ABOUT THE COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT (CRCD)
CRCD’s overall approach is neighborhood-based community development. The nonprofit organization has a long-term commitment to improving the quality of life in South Los Angeles, focusing on youth in the community with access to education, opportunities to pursue career pathways, and meet basic needs. CRCD also addresses the longstanding neighborhood conditions where young people reside – such as poverty, unemployment, public safety issues, and the lack of affordable housing. Since its founding in 2005 by community members, CRCD has partnered in a combined investment of $103 million in South LA housing and real estate, including 318 units of permanent supportive and affordable housing, plus community space for support services, youth programs, a homeless youth drop-in center, and commercial space for social enterprise. CRCD has connected more than 3,000 young people with diplomas, jobs, and housing. www.coalitionrcd.org/