Brief History of the CCED

The CCED was established in downtown Lansing, Michigan, in 1969. Adhering to a set of guiding community development principles, the CCED in partnership with public & private organizations, has development and conducted numerous innovative programs that address local concerns while building the capacity of students, scholars and communities to address future challenges. Students, faculty and community involvement is a crucial element of the CEDP's mission. The CCED resources focus on the unique challenges of distressed communities throughout the state of Michigan. In 2006 the CCED prepared a review of its past, present, and future programs & projects. The report serves as the basis for planning CCED's Future activities.

Overview

CCED initiates and supports innovative problem-solving strategies to improve the quality of life in Michigan's communities. University outreach faculty members foster programmatic relationships with local constituent groups and organizations across Michigan to facilitate the flow of new innovations and information between the university and the communities. CCED-targeted communities have been impacted threefold:
  • At the individual level, through those who have attended programs
  • At the organizational level, through those that have taken part in the projects
  • At the community level as a whole

    • CCED initiatives have led to:
  • Improvement in the relevant skill levels of individuals who participate in activities developed by the program
  • Improvement in civic leaders' understanding of ways to solve local community problems through citizen involvement
  • the development of innovative program strategies designed to reach previously underserved urban populations