Community and Economic Development

Economic Self Sufficiency and Investment

"City Heights Gets to Work!" banners and signs can be seen at various locations in City Heights. Since 1997, we have provided mid city employers and job seeker with personalized employment development assistance. Whether you need a job, a better job or great employees CHCDC can help.

The Gets to Work! initiative helps residents of City Heights and surrounding communities to prepare for and attain career path employment with local business and in major growth industries in San Diego. This initiative is part of the larger CHANGE (City Heights Action for Neighbors to Get Employed) program founded in 1997 through a unique partnership with San Diego Housing Commission and San Diego and Imperial County Labor Council. Over 1,900 residents have found jobs through CHANGE since its inception. Services include

• Employment readiness workshops
• Individualized assistance with resume creation, interview skills and job search
• Sensitivity to language and cultural barriers to employment.
• Translation services, supportive services and financial education available.
• Free internet access at our on site Window to the World Technology Center
• No cost prescreening and placement services for local businesses

Business Services

As one of 17 designated redevelopment districts in San Diego, construction and planned large-scale redevelopment projects present very special employment opportunities for work ready residents.

CHANGE has worked with a variety of project developers and new retail stores to help them hire qualified employees for permanent jobs within the community. Successful Community Hire redevelopment partnerships include the City Heights Retail Village and the Metro Career Center and Metro Village Apartments.

In order to build the capacity for success within our small business community, we provide hands on technical assistance to local merchants in understanding, accessing and advocating for the services they need from government and regulatory agencies. We specialize in recruitment and screening to assist them in hiring the right staff for their current employment needs.

The City Heights Directory of Business Goods and Services is published and distributed to help residents and visitors "Hire and Buy in City Heights" .We are currently distributing over 5,000 copies of the 10th Edition. Regular features include a bilingual index, government & community services listings, articles highlighting local employers and new directory of immigrant and refugee owned businesses. Ad space is available at very affordable rates.

SOCIAL Enterprise

Maintain City Heights(MCH) is an expansion of the Neighborhood Improvement Cooperation Enterprise (NICE) founded by CHCDC in 1996. The enterprise employs and provides on-the-job training for residents in property and grounds maintenance.

Future growth potential includes the operation of new redevelopment projects and maintenance of additional public improvement projects and training for GREEN jobs. On the job training of MCH NICE team members facilitated the installation of one of the largest affordable multifamily solar hot water and space heating systems in Southern California at Hollywood Palms on Home Avenue.