WHAT IS THE CDCUSA / Who is CDCUSA?

CDCUSA Corporation History and Mission:

As officially recorded by the California Department of Justice, CDCUSA Corporation was established in December 1990. The Community Development Center USA (CDCUSA) was subsequently founded and incorporated in 2006. In January 2007, CDCUSA was granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status by the IRS, which is part of the United States Government.

Since obtaining its non-profit status, CDCUSA has dedicated itself to building partnerships with a wide array of stakeholders, including individuals, corporations, churches, schools, national and local governments, and other non-profit organizations. The central mission of CDCUSA is to support these partners in reaching and achieving their full potential and goals.

The organization's commitment and mission is clear.: 

Community Development Center USA unites individuals, families, businesses and communities together for the sole purpose of achieving their fullest potential. 

What does it mean “Doing Good Across America”?

 Empowering Communities Through Life Skills and Outreach CDCUSA Founder & CEO David Harris believes that teaching someone a life skill creates a lasting impact, empowering individuals to use that skill wherever life takes them—locally or nationwide. This philosophy has guided CDCUSA’s commitment to education, community support, and national service initiatives.

· Over the years, CDCUSA sponsored the Youth Lead Conference on National Affairs, supporting the California Delegation in a forum attended by over 36 delegations and states.

· As a National Certified American Red Cross Provider, CDCUSA is equipped to teach and respond to emergencies nationwide. To date, CDCUSA has certified over 1,600 course records, demonstrating its broad reach and commitment to safety and preparedness.

CDCUSA’s mission of service extends across state lines. Through the Families First Program, CDCUSA facilitated the relocation of a family from an abusive home in Louisiana to a safer environment in California, exemplifying the organization’s dedication to helping those in need wherever they are.

People learn about CDCUSA’s programs and services through its online presence and word of mouth, allowing the organization to continue “Doing Good Across America.”

WHO IS CDCUSA?

CDCUSA is an organization driven primarily by dedicated volunteers who believe in empowering communities through life skills education and outreach. In some cases, CDCUSA also employs staff to help support its mission and programs.

Leadership within CDCUSA may choose to establish a local Board of Managers or special committees to help operate and manage local programs. If a local Board determines there's a need to hire a team to accomplish their goals, all employment decisions are made in accordance with state and local laws, guidelines, and IRS tax codes. The CEO may provide support for these actions, ensuring that every step aligns with legal and ethical standards.

The success of CDCUSA depends on the commitment and involvement of people like you. Whether you choose to volunteer, serve on a committee, join a local Board, or become an employee, your contribution can help CDCUSA continue its mission of “Doing Good Across America.”

What role will you play? Your unique skills and passion can make a lasting difference in communities near and far. 

RE:  Supporting Organizations & Youth Leaders 2023

YEA / AV Chamber of Commerce: Face book Post: 

We had a BLAST at our first field trip as future CEO’s, we visited Bravery Brewing last night and it was so amazing, business owner Brian Avery and Sandra Avery where excellent hosts, Brian told the children their business story and took us to the back of the brewery and explained the whole process for us! We were very impressed.

We are very grateful for our community partners who make this program possible one way or another.

We would also like to thank Community Development  Center USA -AV David Harris has become a true partner and active participant of this program his heart to serve the purpose and this community is admirable.

We would like to thank our mentors and instructors as well, without your support none of this would be possible!

RE:  Supporting Organizations & Youth Leaders 2021

NewColorsProject: Face book Post: 

Before our beautiful night ends, we would love to spotlight the Community Development Center USA (CDCUSA) for their generous contribution to NewColorsProject. Through their donation and support over these past few months, we have been able to successfully execute community cleanups, administrative work, resource and rock painting pop-ups, and so much more. The Community Development Center USA has been an extremely supportive organization towards our events and programs. As official partners of CDCUSA, we are honored to work together on making our communities better with upcoming projects. It is with honor we spotlight CDCUSA as a founding donor on our website and social platforms! 

Message from our CEO, Raymiro Gomez-Galiano:I would like to give CDCUSA’s  CEO, David Harris, my biggest appreciation. Thank you for mentoring me about the nonprofit sector and sharing valuable advice that has allowed us to move forward. Thank you for allowing me to learn from you. I look forward to our future projects together and the many lives we will positively impact. We are here to support CDCUSA, today and always. Thank you for the constant support you have given us! 

RE: CDCUSA Family First Programming -  Families off the streets 2018

 I am currently working to rebuild my life with my children with the support of the Community Development Center USA in a healthier environment free of emotional turmoil. 

Please find it in your heart to help me in this process as I understand there are some risk factors associated with my application. This is the reason I have LA Family Housing assisting with the financial portion to get us into this home. 

Thank you very much for your consideration,

NOTE: Most of this Testimonial is confidential for the safety of the ones involved.   

From Single Mother, Shall go unnamed  

RE:  Life Skills   2015-2016

Thank you for your valued support during my Senior Year of High School. Your attendance and support of my senior year activities have helped support my Self Esteem and Self Confident to continue to further my education. 

Your assistance in traveling up north to see firsthand UC San Francisco and other dialog about attending college had a direct impact on where I am attending school. While I had been accepted to a few schools, I am glad you were there along with my family to help me in my final decision to attend UC Santa Cruz and complete some of the registration process. I also want to thank you for your Assistance in going over my 1st semester budget and financial resources to insure I had the right resources to pay for my schooling and some of the supplies.  

While growing up my family worked hard to insure I had the tools of success and did not always have the money to pay for it but we always found a way.  I want to thank The CDCUSA for helping me with my shopping college supplies.  I will use them on a daily basis while attending school.

FROM: Melanie Lamellae

Student Vice President Class 2016
Fulton High School, San Fernando Valley, CA.  UC Santa Cruz Student

Re: Continued Successes and Involvement LA DCFS Dept. Social Services  Fall 2012-2017

 I wanted to take a moment and say Thank You, for your support of the youth in the LA County Determent of Children Family Services. While I will not use their name I wanted to note The Community Development Center continued work with the disadvantage youth in and around LA County. I have seen the support provided to the youth involved first hand. The Keeping Kids off the Streets Program has been very successful. 

When the Center was contacted Action was immediate. I was able to use the CDCUSA’s resources to gain temporary housing for a youth in my care. Since that time together we have successfully mentored the now 19-year-old youth, back into College. He is now a full-time student enrolled with in classes this fall. He is currently working on his AA in Justice of Administration, with a goal of achieving his Bachelor’s degree. He is now employed-working at a part time job. The CDCUSA’s involvement further has helped him with a permanent home and is own address, with a 12 month signed lease. 

Working together in the past Six months we have kept him off the Streets, in housing, off of drugs and alcohol, enrolled in school, provided him with transportation, kept food in his home, provided him resources for furnishings, kitchen and cooking supplies, basic housing needs. The CDCUSA also has help in teaching him important LIFE SKILLS. Such as the importance of good credit, helping him with a secured credit card to begin the process of building his credit and future, showing how it is important to have these things for his future, and how to be productive and contribute to the greater society. 

Character Development. The CDCUSA has shown and used Positive Reinforcement in his Development. Teaching Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship has really help develop his positive outlook on life. It further has helped him with his self-esteem and self-Confidence in dealing with everyday life and stress. The Values used work to date. 

Again Thank You and I look forward to the CDCUSA’s continued support and growing of these types of CO-Operative Programs. 

From: J.S.

DCFS Case Worker 

LA County DCFS

RE:  Letter of Success, Life Skills, Jobs Programs  Spring 2007 - To Date

In 2007, I took my first lifeguard training class through CDC USA and little did I know I would continuously take part in lifeguard, CPR, AED, and First Aid classes for the next nine years. I am currently a graduate student at Texas Christian University but my home is in California and the training I received from the CDC USA has come in handy in both states, CA & TX. My knowledge obtained from my training has helped me gain confidence in many situations in which bad things could happen. I felt I was prepared and had the tools needed to help if anyone needed it.

My experience with the CDC started when I was 15 years old, when I accepted my first job as a lifeguard and swim coach for a local pool but I had to get my certification before I could do my job. I have worked at that same pool every summer through high school, college, and this past summer between my two years of graduate school. 

The CDC USA has provided the classes and certification I’ve needed to continue working with families and children every summer. I am able to work at a job I love because of my training and the continuous help of CDC USA. I not only use the skills learned in my classes for my job as a lifeguard but also in my everyday life.  

I’ve been in situations in which I needed to know how to rescue someone off the side of a boat, I’ve used my training to roll an intoxicated person to the side to prevent her from choking on her own throw-up. Another time I’ve pulled out my card to help other certified personnel deal with situations. 

I teach swim team and swim lessons every summer and the children I work with are in the age range from 3-18 years old. The extra knowledge gained from renewing my certifications has continued to make me feel comfortable teaching those children and further puts their parents at ease knowing I can take care of their children. 

I am so grateful for my certification’s and for the Community Development Center USA taking the time to help me stay up to date on new policies and rescue procedures-information. 

FROM: Kelly Lee

Texas Christian University
Strategic Communication Master's Program

Student Activities Graduate Assistant

Strategic Communications Graduate Assistant

RE: Letter of Support of CDCUSA Leadership & CEO 1994-2014

This letter is to recognize the work that David Harris, CEO of the CDCUSA has done, working with children and helping to develop life skills that are so vital.

I have known David since 1994 when he began working as a Youth & Family Program Director for the Culver-Palms Family YMCA. I am a past board member of the Culver-Palms YMCA and have also served as a volunteer camp nurse (summer resident camps) from 1994-2014. I also grew up at the YMCA, having first started going there for swimming lessons at the age of 5. I spent my formative years at the YMCA and know that I would not be where I am today if it was not for the support of the programs offered there and run by people like David. I was the delegation secretary for the Culver-Palms YMCA in high school and have worked there in both paid positions and volunteering my time. I feel it is important for children to learn life skills through programs like these. It shows them that there are other alternatives in life. 

David and I have been to many camps together as staff and have seen hundreds of kids in awe of nature. Things that they have never been exposed to before like: lakes, hikes, pine trees, campfires, mountain biking, and horseback riding. These are things that some take for granted but some children living in urban areas are never exposed to, if not for programs like the YMCA or CDCUSA. I wish David future success in the development of more of these programs. 

Sincerely,

Licet A. Zalma, 

RN, PHN, MSN, CLE

Hello and thank you for your interest in The Community Development Center USA. We all live, work and grow in small and large communities. Our communities are all around us. Schools, neighborhoods, family, neighbors, our work places, co-workers, the stores we frequent-shop, our roadways, carpools, cities, states, and the USA, are all examples of the communities we live and work in. It is my hope, together we can all work towards a common interest of bettering our lives for ourselves, families, workplace and our communities.

Thank you, for being apart of your Community!