St. Jude Community Development Corporation, Inc.

In 2008 the St. Jude Community Development Corporation, Inc. (SJCDC), a 501(c)(3) organization, was established. The St. Jude CDC is located within the community and so has a vested interest. This non-profit organization operates under the theme “Bridging Resources for our Communities, Step by Step.” It is built on Biblical principles; Psalms 91: 2 “I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” (NLT)

Its vision is building partnerships with local businesses and school districts to foster a commitment to help the community. It believes with each step, it can help the community using its resources, and creating a safe and trusting organization where the community will know it can reach out for help. The St. Jude CDC will offer a more hands-on approach to helping the community. As a smaller organization, we can be more flexible; using our resources to offer services to organizations by bridging the gap.

The management team consists of the Board of Directors and Committee Chair persons which are a team of professional program and fundraising managers will be assembled to manage and grow the program.

Several recent initiatives have provided direct community support, including:

  • The first annual 2-mile Walk-A-Thon for Positive Steps for Domestic Violence Prevention was held in 2015. This successful event raised over $8,000, from which a $5,000 donation was made to the Interfaith Works Women’s Center (Wilkins Avenue Women’s Assessment Center). Bobby Ramos a retired police officer of 25 years and current talk show host of the “Bottom Line Talk Show” in Connecticut was the Walk-A-Thon event Marshal and Master of Ceremonies. We were blessed to have Rev. Mansfield “Kasey” Kaseman from Montgomery County Executive Interfaith Community Liaison as our key note speaker. See pictures below.

 

  • In October 2015, the CDC was invited by My Sisters Place to participate in the Clothesline Project (CLP) to bring awareness to domestic violence. The CLP is a vehicle for women affected by violence to express their emotions by decorating a shirt which is then hung on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of violence against women. The event was held at the Freedom Plaza in Washington DC.

 

  • In April 2016, the CDC sponsored a benefit concert featuring two time Emmy award winner and concert violinist Damien Escobar. The concert raised funds and awareness for a Youth Mentoring Program for middle and high school students. In addition to Mr. Escobar, the Northeast School of the Performing Arts Group and local other local talent performed. The concert was held in Cramton Auditorium on the campus of Howard University.

 

  • In July 2016, the CDC partnered with the partnering with St. Jude AME Church Missionary Society and Interfaith Works Distribution Center in a Back-to-School Backpacks Drive for children in need. With their combined efforts over 900 school supplies items, including back packs, notebooks, pen, and pencils were donated to help many students start a great school year! See pictures below.