About Us
The Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) is a place-based community development corporation in South Los Angeles with a unique focus on young people ages 14–26. We are committed to partnering with residents, businesses, community-based organizations, civic leaders, and the local community college to improve the quality of life in South Central LA.
Our comprehensive 360 spectrum of services support the community in all aspects, from housing to education and workforce development to job placement. We support young people and adults experiencing homelessness by providing access to housing, options for education, and training that leads to family-sustaining wages. We actively seek out and work closely with community partners to ensure resources and referrals to other key services, such as mental health services, are readily available.
Our mission is to sustain, coordinate, and improve local planning, development, and community services that address the needs of low-income and working-class residents and small businesses in South Los Angeles.
We strive to fulfill this mission by applying a high-touch case management and trauma-informed care approach that includes project-based learning designed to meet young people where they are, which is at the heart of our work of Changing Lives and Building Neighborhoods Responsibly.
Mission
Our mission is to better sustain, coordinate and improve local planning, development and community services that address the needs of low-income and working-class residents and small businesses in South Los Angeles.
Vision
Our vision is to join with others in the community to create an environment where the basic needs of youth are met; where youth can develop positive social skills, become more aware of their neighborhood’s needs, and demonstrate genuine civic pride by actively contributing to the empowerment of their community.
Core Values
Collaboration: We value work with reputable organizations and partners that are mindful of community needs and have as their mission to work with the same target population.
Accountability: We act responsibly and with transparency, always accountable to the community we serve.
Effectiveness: We are efficient and produce results, making the best use of resources.
Stewardship: We take seriously our role as trustees of community assets and public resources.
Empowerment: We seek to empower others to take a leadership role in improving the community.
Commitment: We are mission driven and follow through successfully on projects we undertake.
History
In 2005, a group of community leaders banded together and founded the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) in response to the opportunities and challenges faced by young people in South LA’s Vernon-Central neighborhood. CRCD was co-founded by Mark A. Wilson, Ruth M. Teague, Noemi Soto, Fernando Miranda, and Hugo Ortiz. From 2005 to 2006, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps provided fiscal sponsorship to CRCD.
With an intentional focus on young people ages 18–24, particularly Black and Latino youth, CRCD has been dedicated to improving the quality of life in South LA for more than a decade. CRCD began with one contract: to provide graffiti abatement on behalf of the City of Los Angeles. While we still do graffiti abatement, that work soon evolved into training and providing work experience for unemployed youth and young adults. Today, we provide education, career preparation, jobs, housing, support services, and business assistance — in addition to developing affordable real estate and launching a social enterprise.