After being shelved for half a decade, Community Development Week is primed for a return to the City of St. Louis. The Community Development Administration (CDA) has prepped a lineup of events set to run from April 21 through April 25, spotlighting the neighborhood revitalization efforts and public service initiatives making waves in the city. From walking tours and workshops to networking opportunities, there's a packed schedule designed for grassroot engagement and showcasing progression in the local landscape.
"We're so excited to bring Community Development Week back for the first time since 2018," Nahuel Fefer, Executive Director of CDA, said in what feels like an overdue reunion. According to an announcement on the City of St. Louis website, the event kickstarts with a walking tour of the Preservation Square housing, and winds down with an appreciation event for community partners. The full range of activities includes an open house to meet the CDA staff and learn about federal fund applications, along with dedicated training for first-time housing applicants.
Much of the focus this year will be on the tangible transformation, understanding the improvements and investments that have championed local efforts. For an organization that has, in the past, bagged the John A. Sasso Award for exceptional community development work, this return to form is about building on a legacy while recognizing the current climate of growth and rejuvenation after what the city has weathered through the pandemic.
Not just about parades and speeches, the CDA staff will volunteer at a local care center on April 23, lending hands to the organizations they back financially throughout the year. "Community Development Week gives us a chance to reflect, reconnect, and recommit to the work ahead," Fefer told the City of St. Louis' news outlet, hinting at a sentiment that resonates across communities. Additionally, peeking into CDA's recent achievements, a comprehensive impact report will be released, covering strides made since COVID, including surges in housing production and extended home repair programs.
For those interested in being a part of this movement or learning more, additional details for the week's events can be sought by reaching out to Tom Nagel at [email protected].
