Partner with Faith CDC
For Positive Change
2023-2024 Programs Guide
“Developing People and Communities”
Housing Division
Employment & Business Empowerment Division
Community Property & Facilities Development Division
Faith Solutions Division
Connecticut’s Faith Pathways to Homeownership Program
Housing Division
Home Ownership Made Easy
The Faith CDC Connecticut Homeownership Pathways by Faith is an outreach and education initiative that engages and enables low- and moderate-income minorities and immigrants achieve and/or maintain the American Dream of becoming homeowners.
As part of this initiative, Faith CDC affiliated organizations will work with other Faith CDC network groups, Public and Private partners and community based organizations to lead outreach within each affiliated house of worship and neighborhood and then collaborate with CHFA certified agencies to provide credit counseling, homebuyer education and mortgage delinquency prevention and intervention.
Provided By Faith CDC Collaborative
In Conjunction with
CHFA, Department of Banking, CFHC
Program Collaborative Partnership
Once potential homebuyers complete the homeownership workshops and are ready to apply for a mortgage, they will be referred to Participating CHFA, DOH and Department of Banking certified Lenders who have an ongoing commitment of increasing homeownership among minorities and other under-served communities across the economic spectrum. The commitment covers financing for buying a home as well as refinancing a home. Through the resources budgeted and allocated by the CGA, CHFA works with public and private sector resources and continues to stimulate affordable housing development throughout the state.
Participating Houses of Faith
Phase One
Shiloh Baptist Church (Bridgeport)
Bethel AME Church (Bridgeport)
Cathedral of Faith (Bridgeport)
Gospel Assembly (Bridgeport)
Prince of Peace Church (Bridgeport)
Russell Temple CME Church (Bridgeport)
First Cathedral Church (Hartford)
Open Door Missionary Baptist Church (Middletown)
Peace Ministries (New Britain)
Zion 1st Baptist Church (Middletown)
Bethel AME Church (Norwalk)
Union Baptist Church (Stamford)
Homes Saved by Faith
Housing Division
Prevent Foreclosure & Eviction
Provided By Faith CDC Collaborative
In Conjunction with
Shiloh Baptist Church, and F.R.E.E.D.O.M.
Homes Saved by Faith, initiated and administered by Faith CDC, stands as a unified force comprising faith-based, community, private, and public entities, committed to preventing foreclosures and evictions nationwide. Beyond denominational, ethnic, and religious differences, these groups have joined hands as the first responders in the battle against the foreclosure epidemic, focusing on intervention and outreach to protect homeowners.
Program Goals:
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Empowering Intermediaries: Provide faith-based and community organizations with the knowledge and tools to be trusted intermediaries, aiding homeowners in delinquency and facilitating credit rebuilding and homeownership.
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Efficient Triage: Design streamlined mechanisms for seamless handoffs between outreach intermediaries and intervention counseling service providers.
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Alternative Solutions: Develop preventive self-help approaches and trusted alternative intervention agencies, sharing the counseling burden with lenders to explore alternatives to foreclosure.
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Regional Collaboration: Forge regional relationships and programs tailored to local markets, replicable on a national scale, fostering a unified approach to combat foreclosure challenges.
Program Logic:
Harnessing the untapped potential of faith-based and nonprofit organizations, this program recognizes their ability to make significant community contributions. By fostering collaborations and partnerships, Homes Saved by Faith aims to positively impact mortgage delinquency and foreclosure while presenting homeownership as a viable opportunity.
Program Collaborative Partnership
Program Efficacy to Date
In Connecticut – 1,000+ Homes Saved
Nationally – 100,000+ Families Served
Program Execution:
Homes Saved by Faith conducts free workshops in heavily affected communities, addressing foreclosure intervention, credit repair, financial planning, and homeownership preparation. By partnering with Certified Counseling Agencies and utilizing online training tools, the program ensures comprehensive access to affordable training, benefitting communities nationwide.
CT Faith Jobs Collaborative
Employment & Business Empowerment Division
Acquiring, Advancing & Actualizing Employment Opportunities in Connecticut
Local Intake Leads To Local/Regional Training Leads To Working In Connecticut…And Beyond
The CT Faith Jobs Collaborative Program (CFJCP) is dedicated to enhancing employment prospects for Connecticut residents by providing comprehensive support and resources. Through an 8-step process, CFJCP ensures residents are job-ready, equipped with necessary skills, and connected with employment opportunities, fostering a collaborative community approach to workforce integration.
Program Process:
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Outreach:
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​Utilizes diverse outreach strategies including program advertising, community partnerships, and collaborations with potential employers to raise awareness.
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Intake:
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​Conducts online registration and weekly 'Open House' sessions at Faith CDC partner locations for interested individuals.
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Assessment:
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​Reviews and assesses client situations, identifying skills, training needs, and setting goals and timelines for training and testing.
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Organization:
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​Develops individual client work portfolios detailing skills, training, and available resources. Sets goals and timelines for further steps.
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Opportunity Pairing:
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​Matches clients with suitable employment opportunities within the CFJCP portfolio and conducts outreach to potential employers.
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Counseling:
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​Provides professional, personal, and spiritual counseling to support clients in their job search journey.
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Mentoring:
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​Assigns mentors from the SFJCP Mentor Program, monitors mentor effectiveness, and encourages mentee pool to become mentors.
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Continuing Connection:
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Maintains regular check-ins with CFJCP, hosts collaborative work sessions, and organizes an annual "Celebration of Success" event, fostering ongoing connections between clients and potential employers.
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Program Collaborative Partnership
CFJCP's structured approach enhances employability, empowering individuals with skills, support, and mentorship, fostering a thriving and engaged workforce within Connecticut.
CEDF Small & Minority Business Training, Capacity Building & Funding Program
Employment & Business Empowerment Division
Sharpening Skills, Training for Success & Finding Resources
CEDF and Faith CDC propose working with
the City of Bridgeport utilizing an allocation of
$250,000 to stimulate small and minority business growth
in the city under the proposed name "Next Steps."
Overview:
CEDF proposes a comprehensive initiative named "Next Steps" to stimulate small and minority business growth in Bridgeport, utilizing a $250,000 allocation from the City of Bridgeport ARPA funds. The proposal focuses on establishing a Revolving Loan Guarantee Fund and enhancing program activities to support low- and moderate-income small business owners, particularly those of color.
Key Components:
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Revolving Loan Guarantee Fund ($200,000):
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​Establishes a fund to extend consideration to applicants slightly outside typical qualification thresholds.
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Supports businesses with a track record of at least one year, focusing on low-to- moderate income small business owners of color.
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Covers Term Loans or Lines of Credit ranging from $5,000 to $100,000.
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Guarantee coverage of 30% of the enrolled amount, up to a maximum of $15,000.
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Operates as a revolving fund, allowing shifts to new eligible businesses as borrowers repay, ensuring perpetual impact.
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CEDF Program Activity Enhancement ($50,000):
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​Provides pre-loan counseling, enabling businesses to become credit-ready.
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Facilitates financing applications without arbitrary cut-offs, fostering inclusivity.
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Assigns a dedicated Business Advisor to clients, offering continuous guidance in management, marketing, and finance.
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Offers diverse Business Education formats to enhance essential skills for sustainable business management.
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FCDC Provides Outreach and Marketing support to ID Small & Minority Businesses.
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Implementation and Reporting:
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CEDF will enroll eligible loans and provide quarterly reports on the fund's status and business participants.
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Program activities, including pre-loan counseling, financing support, business advising, and education, will be meticulously executed to ensure tangible outcomes.
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Focus and Impact:
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The proposal primarily targets businesses owned by individuals with an annual household AGI of 80% or less than the region's HUD Average Median Income.
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Emphasis on low-to-moderate income small business owners of color ensures equitable opportunities and economic empowerment.
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The Revolving Loan Guarantee Fund operates as a sustainable model, amplifying its impact over time.
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Request for Support:
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CEDF seeks the City of Bridgeport's support in approving the allocation of $250,000 from the ARPA funds to initiate the "Next Steps" program.
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The proposal aligns with the city's goals of fostering economic growth, supporting minority entrepreneurs, and ensuring inclusive development.
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CEDF's "Next Steps" proposal presents a strategic and sustainable approach to leverage the City of Bridgeport ARPA funds. By empowering small and minority businesses and fostering inclusivity, this initiative promises enduring economic growth and community advancement. By integrating the "Next Steps" program strategically into FCDC's initiatives, FCDC can expand its scope, empower a wider range of community members, and contribute significantly to the economic and social well-being of the community.
Program Collaborative Partnership
"Next Steps"
Training for Success & Finding Resources
Property Development ABC’s
Employment & Business Empowerment Division
Equipping Faith and Community Based Organizations to Successfully Participate in a Perpetually Changing Housing & Development Economy
Overview - Connecticut Training 2024
Houses of Worship, Faith-Based Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and community based non-profit organizations have made incredible strides in improving America’s communities. Through financial literacy, homebuyer education, redevelopment of neglected communities, developing and implementing programs for children, youth, ex-offenders, seniors, recovery, early childhood education, sustainability and other activities, they have made visible and tangible changes in the homes and the lives of families nationwide.
Their developing expertise and experience has made them viable and trusted intermediaries in working with financial institutions to effectively distribute resources and serve as a catalyst for increasing market share for profitable products that benefit both the institutions and the end users. Additionally, many of these organizations own undeveloped land that, in the absence of expertise and/or credible partners, has lain fallow in locations that are ripe for meaningful housing and other viable development. As a result, more and more faith-based organizations – churches, synagogues and mosques – and community-based nonprofits are seeking guidance on how to develop meaningful affordable and market rate housing and program initiatives in their communities.
FREEDOM currently provides guidance through comprehensive analysis, training, technical assistance and capacity building. This leadership, training and capacity building is based on years of experience gained through work with leading national community development organizations, financial institutions and secondary market participants as well as national, regional and local market leaders and participants.
One Year Place-Based Training
Faith and Community-Based Organizations
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Provides technical assistance
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Capacity building to develop a strong(er) Community Development Organizations and Partners,
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Organically producing and fostering a strong regional & statewide network of alliances.
Partial List of Confirmed Training Organizations
This Initiative links FREEDOM and participating partners with corporations, governmental agencies, non-profits and faith-based organizations to increase capacity in developing real property to support affordable housing. FREEDOM’S previous Economic Development & Empowerment Conferences and Training Series have trained and impacted thousands of participants in cities throughout the United States.
APD Solutions – CEDF - CT DOB – CT Fair Housing Center – CHFA – ETL Design Architecture – Goode Van Slyke Architecture - Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco – FREEDOM, Inc. – Latitude Learning - NHS New Haven - Urban Green Development, LLC
Overall Goal
Establish training for Faith and Community-Based organizations that provides technical assistance and capacity building to develop a strong(er) Community Development Organizations and Partners, thereby organically producing and fostering a strong regional & statewide network of alliances.
