Our Programs

Neighborhood-Based Community Development

The Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) brings together education, employment, housing, and small business support to improve quality of life in South Los Angeles. Rooted in Vernon-Central, our work reflects a long-term commitment to the people, businesses, history, and culture of the communities we serve.

Young people remain central to our mission, while our work also supports adults, families, and local entrepreneurs. We recognize that opportunities to learn, earn a living, and maintain stable housing are closely connected. Our approach addresses these needs together, helping residents pursue their goals while strengthening the neighborhoods they call home.

Three Organizations, One Shared Commitment

CRCD, CRCD Enterprises, and CRCD Partners work together to connect community services with employment opportunities and affordable housing:

  • CRCD provides education, career training, employment services, housing support, and small business assistance. We help residents access resources, build skills, and take their next steps toward lasting stability.
  • CRCD Enterprises is our social enterprise and a licensed general contractor. Through construction, facilities maintenance, neighborhood beautification, and related services, it provides paid work experience, hands-on training, and employment opportunities for people facing barriers to work.
  • CRCD Partners develops and preserves affordable and permanent supportive housing in South Los Angeles and beyond. Its work connects housing development with CRCD’s services to help residents maintain stable housing and access opportunities.

Development That Benefits the Community

Our approach starts with respect for residents’ knowledge, priorities, and experiences. We work alongside young people, neighbors, small businesses, community organizations, educational institutions, public agencies, and funders to:

  1. Expand access to education, quality jobs, affordable housing, and services that support individual and family well-being.
  2. Address longstanding barriers related to poverty, housing instability, unequal access to opportunity, and involvement with the foster care and justice systems.
  3. Support local businesses and help ensure that neighborhood investment creates lasting benefits for current residents.
  4. Improve the policies and systems that shape daily life in South Los Angeles.

Together, we are changing lives and building neighborhoods responsibly—with a commitment to helping residents stay, grow, and participate in their community’s future.

Our Programs

Workforce Development for Youth
Workforce Development for Youth

Workforce Development for Youth

Youth services have always been at the heart of CRCD’s purpose. By providing a trauma-informed approach to youth development, we were awarded a full spectrum of nationally recognized programs that are now available in South LA. Our programs serve disconnected and transition-age youth ages 14–26 who face challenges that traditional institutions cannot accommodate. CRCD’s approach to youth services prioritizes assessing the barriers that prevent youth from excelling in education and employment, addressing the longstanding neighborhood conditions where our young people reside, and engaging in collaborations that improve the policies and systems impacting a young person’s life.

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Workforce Development for Adults

Workforce Development for Adults

The Workforce Development Department connects dislocated workers, veterans, and the formerly incarcerated with wraparound employment, training, and financial coaching services. As the lead agency operating the Vernon-Central/LATTC WorkSource Center, we are a proud partner of the America’s Job Center network. CRCD endeavors to identify employment pathways and provide individuals with the opportunities to succeed in a career with family-sustaining wages. CRCD team members form partnerships with our community members through one-on-one career coaching that effectively pairs people with personalized industry training, workforce readiness, financial coaching, entrepreneur training, re-entry programs, and other support services.

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Workforce Development for Adults
Housing & Support Services
Housing & Support Services

Housing & Support Services

The Housing & Support Services Department develops and operates permanent supportive housing for youth and young adults, families, seniors, individuals with special needs, and other low-income populations. CRCD staff provides on-site support services at 7 of our permanent supportive housing developments in South LA, with a focus on helping our most vulnerable community members obtain safe and stable housing. Additionally, we provide voluntary services including independent living skills workshops and classes, money management counseling and community-based resources such as job training, health care, education, and re-entry programs. To serve the needs of youth ages 18–24 who are experiencing homelessness specifically, we operate Ruth’s Place, a drop-in center for those who would otherwise be on the streets.

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South LA All In

South LA All In

The Housing & Support Services Department develops and operates permanent supportive housing for youth and young adults, families, seniors, individuals with special needs, and other low-income populations. CRCD staff provides on-site support services at 7 of our permanent supportive housing developments in South LA, with a focus on helping our most vulnerable community members obtain safe and stable housing. Additionally, we provide voluntary services including independent living skills workshops and classes, money management counseling and community-based resources such as job training, health care, education, and re-entry programs. To serve the needs of youth ages 18–24 who are experiencing homelessness specifically, we operate Ruth’s Place, a drop-in center for those who would otherwise be on the streets.

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South LA All In
Business Empowerment Department
Business Empowerment Department

Business Empowerment Department

BusinessSource Centers provide startup ventures and current small business owners various cost-effective tools to make their business a success. Through these tools, small businesses can grow and remain competitive within the City of Los Angeles. Most services are provided at NO COST to Southeast LA business owners and resident entrepreneurs.

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Real Estate

Real Estate

CRCD is committed to shining a spotlight on the need to build housing for homeless youth and implement programs and resources that improve the lives of young adults facing multiple barriers to stability in South LA. In 2007, we began developing permanent supportive housing with on-site case management services for transition-age youth and affordable housing for low-income residents. We actively partner with elected officials, like-minded developers, and housing organizations to not only build new housing complexes but also to renovate historic South LA, preserve the cultural heritage of the community, and meet the housing needs of the area. We currently own and operate 14 developments which represent a combined investment of $160 million in South LA. In addition to the 464 units of affordable and permanent supportive housing the projects provide to the community, they also supply on-site case management services and program facilities. CRCD currently has 1,171 units in pre-development with a quarter of those set aside specifically for unhoused transition-age youth.

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Real Estate

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