2024 has been an incredible year of growth in the Central Valley and the Center for Community Transformation (CCT). Please watch this video and read the updates below to reflect on how far CCT has come and celebrate the incredible ways our region has flourished this year! ↓
2024 Highlights!
76 businesses grew in Entrepreneurship initiatives!
Through SparkTank, CCT awarded $25,000 to four social enterprises, helping them build infrastructure, increase production capacity, and create jobs. Thirty individuals completed LaunchPad educational cohorts to strengthen or start their businesses. (Also, this year we packaged our LaunchPad curriculum so we can sell it and help others around the country invest in business owners!) With three partner organizations, CCT held the first-ever Start-Up Fest, where 40 small businesses showcased their products and services to the community— a milestone for local entrepreneurship.
CCT also expanded our programs for young entrepreneurs. At our Youth LaunchPad Pitch Fests in Dinuba/Orosi and Tulare, six teenagers pitched their business ideas and received a combined $8,500 to launch their businesses. We partnered with Aspen Charter School to launch a new Entrepreneurial Club where 15 students completed a 12-week training and showcased their businesses at a public expo for the community!
252 individuals and churches equipped through Education programs!
11 facilitators were trained to teach Faith & Finance courses, improving financial literacy among vulnerable groups. Over 200 church leaders attended New Skills New Eras workshops to learn skills equipping them to better understand and serve their neighborhoods. CCT’s Certificado program for Spanish-speaking pastors and leaders celebrated 31 graduates. One Certificado graduate joined our coaching team!
10 nonprofits participated in our first-ever Redemptive Impact Accelerator, a 3 ½ month cohort jam-packed with practical teaching and interactive activities focused on the key components of leading a nonprofit with a redemptive impact. It was an honor to launch the first local training of its kind in collaboration with Every Neighborhood Partnership, Randy White & Associates, and the Ten Talents Foundation!
60 school districts involved in Community Engagement.
In 2024, CCT expanded its work with community schools. Community schools take a “whole child” approach to education by more effectively listening to the needs of their neighborhood. CCT held seven community school training sessions in Bakersfield, Fresno, and Modesto, involving 60 school districts. Through 56 focus groups, we connected with over 450 parents, students, site staff, and community partners to help the schools better understand and address local needs.
CCT awarded grants to launch TWO new programs.
This year, we were blessed with two incredible grants that will help us launch impactful programs in 2025. A $1,179,040 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to Fresno Pacific will help CCT establish Centrando Niños en Nuestras Congregaciones (Centering Children in our Congregations), which includes a certificate program for Spanish-speaking congregations focused on children’s ministry and development, equipping churches to nurture the faith of the next generation. Additionally, CCT was awarded a $190,803 Rural Business Development Grant from the US Department of Agriculture, enabling us to provide more technical assistance through our Entrepreneurship initiative to small and emerging businesses in underserved rural areas!
Our team has grown!
In 2024, we’ve welcomed three talented new team members! Gladys Martínez, an award-winning entrepreneur, joined our Entrepreneurship team to mentor and support local business owners. Marina Barragan-Aldaco became our Data Analyst, turning data into actionable insights, and Alyssa Ndombeson brought her expertise in event coordination, financial reporting, and sustainability as our new Administrative Specialist.
Looking ahead to 2025
Our community’s support has made this possible. As we look ahead to next year, we’re filled with excitement to work together toward a Central Valley that reflects God’s peace, prosperity, and wholeness. 2025, we’re ready for you!
2024 Recap Video & Photo Gallery
