Christian Community Development Association

Christian Community Development Association is a non-profit organization founded by John Perkins in 1989, with the goal of promoting community development and social justice in urban and rural areas across the United States. The organization is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and has partnerships with various churches, community organizations, and government agencies, including the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Council of Churches. The association's work is influenced by the principles of Christianity, as well as the ideas of Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, and other social justice advocates, such as Jim Wallis and Shane Claiborne.

● History

The Christian Community Development Association was established in 1989 by John Perkins, a civil rights activist and community developer, who was inspired by the work of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. Perkins, who had previously worked with Tom Skinner and Samuel Rodriguez, aimed to create an organization that would promote community development and social justice in urban and rural areas. The association's early work was influenced by the Koinonia Farm community in Georgia, founded by Clarence Jordan, and the Catholic Worker Movement, founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. The organization has since grown to include a network of community developers, church leaders, and social justice advocates, including Noel Castellanos, Wayne Gordon, and Brenda Salter McNeil.

● Mission and Values

The Christian Community Development Association's mission is to inspire and equip churches and community organizations to pursue community development and social justice, with a focus on urban and rural areas. The organization's values are rooted in Christianity, and include a commitment to reconciliation, redemption, and restoration, as well as a emphasis on community empowerment, participation, and self-determination, as seen in the work of Sojourners and the Evangelical Environmental Network. The association's values are also influenced by the principles of asset-based community development, which was developed by John McKnight and Jody Kretzmann at the Northwestern University.

● Community Development Model

The Christian Community Development Association's community development model is based on the principles of asset-based community development, which emphasizes the importance of identifying and building on the strengths and assets of a community, rather than its deficits or needs. This approach is influenced by the work of John McKnight and Jody Kretzmann at the Northwestern University, as well as the Kuyper Institute and the Acton Institute. The association's model also incorporates elements of participatory development, which involves community members in the planning and decision-making process, as seen in the work of World Vision and the Habitat for Humanity.

● Programs and Initiatives

The Christian Community Development Association offers a range of programs and initiatives, including community development training, technical assistance, and grant funding for community projects. The organization also hosts an annual conference, which brings together community developers, church leaders, and social justice advocates from across the United States to share best practices and learn from one another, with speakers such as Cornel West, Jim Wallis, and Shane Claiborne. The association has partnerships with various organizations, including the National Association of Evangelicals, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Catholic Charities USA.

● Impact and Outcomes

The Christian Community Development Association's work has had a significant impact on communities across the United States, with a focus on urban and rural areas. The organization's community development model has been adopted by churches and community organizations in numerous cities and towns, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Detroit. The association's programs and initiatives have also helped to promote social justice and community empowerment, as seen in the work of Sojourners and the National Council of Churches. The organization's impact has been recognized by various awards and honors, including the National Association of Social Workers' Social Work Pioneer award, given to John Perkins.

● Leadership and Organization

The Christian Community Development Association is led by a board of directors, which includes Noel Castellanos, Wayne Gordon, and other community developers and social justice advocates, such as Brenda Salter McNeil and Samuel Rodriguez. The organization's staff includes a team of community development specialists, grant writers, and administrative assistants, who work together to support the association's programs and initiatives. The Christian Community Development Association is also a member of various networks and coalitions, including the National Community Development Association and the Evangelical Environmental Network, and has partnerships with universities and seminaries, such as the Wheaton College and the Fuller Theological Seminary.