The Community Action Development Corporation (CADC) – a grantee of the Community Foundation and the nonprofit arm of the Boulder County Community Action Programs (CAP) – is focused on addressing local poverty which, according to Eliberto Mendoza, is “a huge underlying factor” among struggling individuals and families, especially among people of color.
The Community Action Development Corporation (CADC) – a grantee of the Community Foundation and the nonprofit arm of the Boulder County Community Action Programs (CAP) – is focused on addressing local poverty which, according to Eliberto Mendoza, is “a huge underlying factor” among struggling individuals and families, especially among people of color.
“More then 70% of the families in our program report work income as their only source of income,” says Eliberto, Division Manager, Boulder County Community Action Programs. “They are the working poor – trying to make ends meet through their employment and struggling to do so.
“In response, through financial literacy and home ownership classes, we work to empower people save assets, to buy a first home, to get an education, and more.”
For example, the Circles Campaign aims to increase families’ stability and income, and focuses on skill-building, and connecting people to community resources and support networks. “We work with people across racial, ethnic and socio-economic lines,” Eliberto continues. “We’re working to change attitudes about poverty, and to ignite positive policy changes.”
Indeed, a key tenant of the CADC is inclusivity. “Inclusivity means ensuring that folks who are voiceless have a voice,” explains Eliberto. The 10-week People Engaged in Raising Leaders (PERL) program, for example, is designed to increase involvement among people of color on boards and commissions across the county.
“Since the program started in 2008, 68% of PERL graduates have gone on to serve in leadership capacities throughout our community,” Eliberto says, a PERL graduate himself. “Inclusivity means that people of color, individuals with low income, and others who are marginalized and disenfranchised have a seat at the table. Nobody wants someone else to make decisions about them, without their authentic input and participation.
“We still have a long way to go, but we’re growing and evolving as a community, and I’m seeing more and more opportunities for people of color in leadership roles. That’s especially important for our young people – if you don’t see people who look like you in leadership positions, you may wonder if you’re cut out to be a leader yourself. You may doubt your potential.
“So it’s really important for people like me to meet those higher standards, to ensure fair representation of everyone who calls Boulder County home, and to be role models for our young people.”
Together, we’re courageously building inclusive and just communities. Join our efforts to make a difference in Boulder County.
Related resources and opportunities:
- Project Invisible: a new multi-media effort to share our community’s untold stories and ignite a conversation about what we can all do to make a difference.
- Personal Investment Enterprise (PIE): a CAP program that empowers individuals with low income to save and build assets to strengthen their economic stability. (Top photo: Rajesh Rajchal, originally from Nepal, is attending Front Range Community College thanks to the PIE program.)
- Multicultural Awards: CAP organized the first Multicultural Awards Banquet in 1989 to honor people of color who have made major contributions to the arts, business, community service, education, government, health, partners (people from the White/Anglo community who work with people of color to promote social justice around race issues), science, and youth throughout Boulder County. The banquet sends a positive message to people by introducing them to ethnically diverse people who are making a difference in their community. To date, the annual event has recognized 239 people of color from Boulder County, and provided scholarships for college students with low income.
