Colonias Development Council
The mission of the Colonias Development Council (CDC) is to improve the quality of life in colonia communities by creating spaces for social, economic, and environmental justice initiatives.
That people are acutely aware of their needs and resources;
That given the opportunity, people can take positive actions to change conditions in their lives;
That by building communities through mutual support, people can become empowered to overcome obstacles in their environment which before may have appeared insurmountable.
Through non-partisan political education, the promotion of health and well-being, and the fostering of cooperative effort, the Colonias Development Council works to build community organizations, develop the infrastructure of the colonias and promote community economic development.
Description:
Our work is characterized by a long-term commitment to facilitating the processes for community organizing and leadership development in order to achieve social change.
We work to address:
•Social Justice: civil rights, cooperative organization, education, human rights, immigration, infrastructure development, public health, policy change, youth engagement
•Environmental Justice: civic engagement for policy change, community and environmental health, school-based and community gardens and green spaces
•Economic Justice: job and skill training, micro-enterprise initiatives, sustainability projects, technical assistance
The CDC promotes leadership development by engaging communities in civic processes. We work with residents to develop community-based solutions to common needs by using a community organizing approach that focuses on developing grassroots strategies to address resident-identified issues of concern. Civic engagement activities offer opportunities for colonia residents to learn about the decision-making processes that affect their lives, providing hands-on experience through negotiation, advocacy, research, and organizing.
History:
Twenty years ago, the CDC emerged as a local, grassroots group in cooperation with the Office of Catholic Social Ministry to help farmworkers. The CDC became an independent 501(c)3 non-profit in 1994 to develop multi-issue, self-help community-based organizations to respond to common needs in colonia communities.
Contact person: Diana Bustamante, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (575) 647-1462
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Address:
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1050 Monte VistaLas Cruces, NM 88001 (See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.colonias.org
Directions:
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From University, we are between Espina and Solano on Monte Vista. From University east, take a left onto Espina, then right onto Monte Vista. We are on the right hand side, a white building at 1050. |
| Last updated on October 19, 2009 |
