City Heights Community Development Corporation stands out as a nationwide model for community development corporations because it never gives up on its residents. Its laser-focus on its neighbors and businesses and its attentiveness to their feedback and needs make it a strong organization that’s widely recognized.
City Heights CDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works closely with its central San Diego community to reverse decades of disinvestment in the historically overlooked neighborhood over the last 40 years. The organization invigorates City Heights’ business community, creates efficient transportation options, and maintains cleanliness in local parks and streets. City Heights CDC prevents displacement through eviction prevention programs, affordable housing and consistent, victorious advocacy.
As City Heights CDC uplifts its community members through its many programs and resources, JWC was hired to create awareness and share these stories on a wider platform. For example:
- Along with a developer partner, City Heights CDC broke ground on a $98 million mixed-use community development, 117-unit building with rent-restricted units for extremely low-income residents earning 30% to 60% of area median income and dedicated units for unhoused veterans. The groundbreaking was attended by elected officials and key local media outlets spanning broadcast, print, Spanish language and more.
- The organization launched a no-cost business training program called CHOPPED serving San Diego entrepreneurs in food and catering businesses. Once finished with the eight-week program, cohort members have a polished business plan, business resource partners and networks, waived permitting costs and a micro-grant to launch their businesses. The program helped 60-plus businesses in a year, and many have enhanced San Diego’s food scene with international offerings. JWC has and continues to share the success stories from this program.
Services include media relations; press events; content creation, including annual reports and other marketing materials; award coordination; media training; social media and digital marketing consultation; fundraising appeal recommendations; as well as crisis communications support, as needed. JWC regularly identifies and pursues opportunities that highlight City Heights CDC’s leadership, advocacy and the many ways that it empowers and activates its community.
