Economic Development Program
The Economic Development program provides for the development of local businesses and the jobs they will create. DYCD also encourages civic engagement as a program activity, supporting TOC Outcome. While the Healthy Families program focuses on accessing services, all NDA programs are charged with assessing the needs of their participants and connecting them with the resources needed to address their challenges and achieve their goals. DYCD’s principles reinforce TOC Outcomes 5 and 6. By adhering to youth and family development principles, using a strengths-based approach, creating welcoming environments, promoting civic engagement, celebrating diversity, and allowing for participant voice, etc., CBOs create the environments where belief in opportunity and success can flourish and social networks can be developed.
As individuals and families acquire assets and skills to improve their circumstances and stability, the communities in which they live will also benefit. Improved individual resources will be reflected in the reduction of neighborhood conditions associated with high concentrations of poverty such as lack of employment opportunities and unsafe streets. NDA community programs, Economic Development and Safety Awareness and Crime Prevention, will directly bring additional resources to communities through development of small businesses, increased job opportunities, and heightened public engagement to combat neighborhood crime. NDA’s emphasis on civic engagement throughout the program areas seeks to cultivate leaders who will give back to their communities by promoting community initiatives that work toward creating environments where all residents will thrive.