Our Work
The Doña
Ana County Colonias Development Council works for justice –
social, economic and environmental – in the colonia communities
of southern New Mexico. The CDC began in the late 1980s as a
project of the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and
became an independent nonprofit in 1994. Our work is rooted in
two primary sources: 1) the
United Nations Declaration of Human
Rights, and 2)
Catholic Social Teachings, which call for the
solidarity of all people for the common good.
The Colonias Development Council uses community organizing and
leadership development to help colonia residents find solutions
to their concerns. We identify community leaders, prioritize
issues, advocate on behalf of residents and develop
community-based projects, often in partnership with other
organizations and agencies. Currently, the Colonias Development
Council is involved in campaigns and projects around such issues
as:
Each issue
requires a different strategy or combination of strategies. The
CDC helps residents identify effective strategies, helpful
agencies and organizations, and successful processes for meeting
their goal.
In our
14-year history, we’ve worked in 12 of Doña Ana County’s 37
colonias. Approximately 100 community leaders are involved in
community organizing and development efforts. The CDC, with its
office in Las Cruces, employs approximately 15 staff members.
Please Support Our Work!
Donations to the Colonias Development
Council are tax-deductible. Given that grant funds are harder to
come by in the current economy, any contributions are extremely welcome.
By becoming a Friend of CDC you will
receive periodic updates. Click on the Donate Now button
above, contact us directly at the address below, or visit the
Support our Work page for other ways
to help us.
We have a current appeal for funding to
support the Chaparral Family Development Center with monthly
operating expenses for its first year of operation. Please
download our letter and send
to anyone who might be able to help.
Thanks!
(Photo of Rincon, NM
by Karen Bucher)
Our Mission
The mission of the Colonias Development Council is
to improve the quality of life in the colonia-designated communities of
southern New Mexico. The Colonias Development Council works under
the following three assumptions:
- That people are acutely aware of their needs
and resources;
- That given the opportunity, people can take
positive actions to change conditions in their lives;
- That by building communities through mutual
support, people can become empowered to overcome obstacles in their
environment which before may have appeared insurmountable.
What is a colonia?
The United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development defines a colonia as a community located within 150
miles of the U.S.- Mexico border that lacks one or more of the
following: a potable water supply; adequate sewage and drainage systems;
decent, safe, and sanitary housing; and/or paved roads.
04/17/2008 04:09 PM
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