Our Mission (Rev. 09/28/06)

The mission of the CDC Association of Greater Houston is to strengthen the capacity of community development organizations committed to improving the quality of life in their respective communities.  The CDC Association of Greater Houston fulfills its mission of service to its members through education, resource development, advocacy, networking, training, technology assistance, policy initiatives, and strategic partnerships. We are committed to empowering people, organizations, and communities.

Our Values

The CDC Association of Greater Houston is rooted in a set of community-inspired values, which guide and define every aspect of its work:

· We are accountable to all stakeholders, i.e. members, bankers, government, and the public at large
· We are advocates for healthy, empowered and sustainable communities
· We choose diversity and work with integrity and competency
· We are committed to achieving a high quality of life for the communities that we serve

Our Vision

The CDC Association of Greater Houston envisions a future of healthy, sustainable communities. These self-determined and diverse communities - assisted by community-based economic development organizations - are environments where people are valued. They are communities where investment in human capital ensures that all residents are encouraged and supported to achieve their highest potential. They are communities where lasting economic viability is fostered through civic engagement, advocacy, enterprise, and wealth creation.

CDCAGH Strategic Directions (Rev. November, 2003)

Based on the input from the questionnaires, focus groups, members mission meeting, Board Member technical assistance and training meeting, and the Board Member strategic planning retreat, five strategic directions emerged and have guided the goals and strategies set forth in this Plan for the next five years:

Membership Services and Benefits - In order to fulfill its mission of service to its members, CDCA offers value-added services and group benefits responsive to the interests and needs of its membership, as well as builds consensus and promotes unity within the industry.

Membership Training and Capacity Building - In order to fulfill the vision of healthy, sustainable communities assisted by community-based economic development organizations, CDCA improves the skills of community economic development practitioners, and enhances the capacity of the organizations to deliver needed services.

Policy Development, Research, and Advocacy - In order to have communities where lasting economic viability is fostered through civic engagement, advocacy, enterprise, and wealth creation, CDCA explores, shapes, and advances policy positions that impact the community economic development industry and improves the membership's capacity to do the same.

Resource Development for the Community Economic Development Industry - In order to fulfill its mission of service to its members, CDCA maintains and expands the pool of financial and partnership resources available to support the operations of community-based development organizations and undertake community economic development initiatives.

Organizational Excellence - CDCA's culture, business processes, and structure are rooted in a set of community-inspired values, which guide and define every aspect of its work, allowing the organization to take its place as the vanguard of the community development industry in the Greater Houston area.