We believe that all people in the city of Detroit deserve to live, work, and engage in healthy, thriving, sustainable and inclusive communities.
The ecosystem building work at CDAD describes a citywide collaborative process intended to develop an infrastructure that ensures strong, thriving neighborhoods for all. Informed by Building the Engine of Community Development in Detroit (BECDD), our goal is to deepen impact and improve the health and wellbeing of Detroit residents by creating a coordinated, equity-centered community development ecosystem, one that is rooted in justice and transformation.
The Seven System Elements
The Seven System Elements are BECDD’s guideposts that comprise an integrated community development system. CDAD continues to align our work with the seven elements.
System Governance & Coordination
An infrastructure designed and supported by equal partners who keep the community development system strong for all neighborhoods. It ensures efforts are equity-centered and accountable to CDAD’s mission.
System Capitalization
A long term strategy to assure Sustainable public and private resources for the entire system to thrive in our neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Voice & Advocacy
A citywide structure and process that articulates and advocates for powerful, connected multi-sector tables in every Council district
Education & Career Pipeline
Describes an equitable pipeline of prepared, professional community development practitioners and strong resident leaders.
Capacity Building & Certification
A centralized and coordinated system providing technical assistance, coaching and peer learning to intermediaries, community development and grassroots organizations.
City Engagement
City government joining forces with neighborhood-based organizations to institutionalize community development partnerships and generate city and state policy that supports vital neighborhoods.
Data & Evaluation
An agreed upon framework to measure the progress toward vital neighborhoods.
Committees
The ecosystem building work relies heavily on a diverse set of partners and their relationships outside of the community development sector. Our collaborative tables include:
- System Building Committee
- System Capitalization Taskforce
- The BECDD/CDAD Funders Group
- Equity in Community Development Funding Intermediaries