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The
Center for Community Development, Inc. (CCDI), formerly Portsmouth CommunityDevelopment
Group, was incorporated in January 1990 as a nonprofit Virginia corporation
with the following mission: "to be a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization
through Affordable Housing and community involvement" such as Microenterprise, and Arts & Culture.
In 2003, due to the ongoing vision of Maury Cooke, another subdivision of CCDI evolved, the Earthsong Division, which provides a platform for
initiatives that promote opportunities for young people to learn skills of mindful awareness, positive social engagement and sustainable living.
Three programs are currently operating within this division including Earthsong Organic Farm and Retreat
Center, Mindful Awareness for Young Adults (MAYA) and Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (iBme). Earthsong Division is supported from the Gregory Lin Cooke Memorial Fund, established by
Maury and Audrey Cooke in honor of their son who died at age 19. Another project under development within the Earthsong Division is called Bright
Idea Farmers. For more information click here www.brightideafarmers.com or email:
ccdi@brightideafarmers.com
CCDI
consists of a Board of Directors comprised of community leaders, homeowners,
bankers and other business people, as well as volunteers and eight full-time
staff persons, all committed to bringing people and opportunities together.
CCDI
receives funding through a variety of public and private sources. CCDI’s
objective is to give the neighborhoods back to their residents through
rehabilitation, economic development, education, and exposure to art and
culture.
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