New Jersey · 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Stronger systems.
More stable communities.

How Can I Community Development Corporation (HCI CDC) connects people, resources, housing solutions, and strategic partnerships to advance affordable housing, community stability, economic opportunity, and long-term self-sufficiency.

About HCI CDC

Community-centered work with a clear purpose.

Learn what guides our organization, who we serve, and the outcomes we are working to advance.

01

Who We Are

How Can I Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit community development organization established to strengthen individuals, families, and communities by connecting people to practical opportunities, resources, housing solutions, and pathways toward greater economic and social stability.

Our work is designed primarily for low- and moderate-income households, individuals and families experiencing housing instability, unemployed and underemployed adults, aspiring entrepreneurs, justice-involved residents returning to their communities, youth who need educational and career pathways, and senior citizens seeking greater stability, connection, and access to essential resources.

Our role Bridge the gap between community need and community opportunity while directing resources toward residents and neighborhoods facing documented barriers.

Programs in development

Five enduring pillars for community stability.

HCI CDC is building a practical, partnership-led program portfolio. Initiatives will be launched in phases based on documented need, secured funding, qualified partners, and organizational readiness.

01Housing Stability & Affordable Housing

Stabilization, healthy housing, preservation, rehabilitation, and responsible development.

02Workforce & Economic Mobility

Employment pathways, skills development, entrepreneurship, and procurement access.

03Youth Pathways & Leadership

Mentoring, educational enrichment, career exposure, and leadership development.

04Senior Stability & Connection

Resource navigation, housing stability, digital access, and social connection.

05Community Resource Navigation

Coordinated referrals, follow-up, and access to existing community services.

01

Housing Stability & Affordable Housing

HCI CDC’s housing strategy begins with helping residents navigate existing resources and advances toward the preservation, rehabilitation, and responsible development of affordable housing through qualified partnerships.

  1. StabilizeConnect households with housing navigation, prevention resources, healthy-housing support, and appropriate existing programs.
  2. PrepareBuild municipal, developer, owner, contractor, lender, and service-provider partnerships; identify viable properties and complete responsible predevelopment planning.
  3. Preserve and developPursue acquisition, rehabilitation, preservation, and new development opportunities when funding, approvals, qualified partners, and operating capacity are secured.

Long-term objective Expand access to safe, quality housing while supporting neighborhood stability and lasting affordability.

Founder-led community outreach

Experience that shaped the mission.

Founder Shanifah M. McCurdy has provided direct, hands-on community outreach throughout Essex County.

Through volunteer service with Ebenezer Baptist Church in Orange, New Jersey, she assembled more than 100 food bags per distribution day using church-provided food and personally distributed or delivered them to senior citizens, community facilities, and community members.

Separately, Shanifah organized a recurring biweekly meal outreach using approximately 100 prepared meals per distribution donated by Jam Icons Jamaican Restaurant and Catering Services. She coordinated and personally distributed the meals to individuals experiencing homelessness throughout Newark, East Orange, Orange, and Irvington.

Why it mattersThis experience helped shape HCI CDC’s commitment to food access, senior support, homelessness response, and coordinated community resources.

Rows of prepared food bags ready for community distribution
Food bags prepared for community distribution.
A box filled with fresh vegetables for food distribution
Fresh food prepared for distribution.
A vehicle loaded with food boxes for delivery
Food boxes loaded for community delivery.

How we work

From community needs to measurable impact.

We use a responsible, evidence-informed approach that connects documented community needs with resources, accountable action, measurable results, and sustainable solutions.

  1. 01
    Identify the need

    Listen to communities and validate priorities with evidence.

  2. 02
    Connect resources

    Align residents with relevant services and opportunities.

  3. 03
    Build the partnership

    Define responsibilities, referrals, safeguards, and shared outcomes.

  4. 04
    Implement the solution

    Launch responsibly with defined responsibilities and participant safeguards.

  5. 05
    Measure the impact

    Track services, partnerships, resources leveraged, and program-specific outcomes.

  6. 06
    Sustain what works

    Strengthen effective programs through diverse funding and repeatable systems.

Responsible growth

Accountability is part of the mission.

GovernanceBoard oversight, documented policies, ethical decision-making, and clear accountability.

Financial resilienceDiversified grants and contributions, prudent cost activation, and a long-term goal to build a board-designated operating reserve from unrestricted revenue as resources allow.

Program qualityReadiness standards, outcome measurement, participant safeguards, and continuous improvement.

Organizational sustainability

Built to remain useful beyond a single grant.

HCI CDC’s sustainability strategy is to grow in proportion to secured resources, maintain strong governance and financial controls, diversify public and private funding, document measurable outcomes, and build partnerships that extend the reach of every investment.

A board-designated operating reserve is a future financial safeguard—not a program expense. As unrestricted revenue becomes available, the organization may set aside board-approved funds to help maintain essential operations during funding delays, unexpected costs, or temporary revenue interruptions.

Partnership inquiries

Let’s build practical community solutions together.

How Can I Community Development Corporation welcomes conversations with nonprofits, public agencies, funders, employers, schools, senior-service organizations, community organizations, and service providers whose work aligns with housing stability, youth development, older-adult well-being, resource access, and economic opportunity.

Contact How Can I Community Development Corporation contact.hcicdc@gmail.com