Spring 2019 Newsletter Executive Message
From the Desk of the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
Happy Spring! These past few months have been a particularly exciting time for CEDAC, as we’ve had a chance to look back at 40 years of strengthening communities in Massachusetts. We culminated this milestone at CEDAC’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on March 14th at MIT’s Samberg Conference Center, where we honored Mel King for his foundational work in the 1970s that led to CEDAC’s creation.
The celebration also featured lightning talks with representatives from the state’s community development sector on CEDAC’s three key program areas: affordable housing preservation; supportive housing; and early education facility development, through our affiliate, the Children’s Investment Fund. And we shared our 40-year Annual Report, which features an interactive timeline highlighting the people and events that have led us to where we are today. You can read more about how this anniversary served as an important reminder of why we remain dedicated to building the foundation for strong communities, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, in this newsletter.
It’s gratifying to see that our commitment is matched by the Baker-Polito Administration, who has demonstrated their support by awarding project funding that will produce and preserve supportive housing units and affordable housing units across the state. Support from the state’s leaders is so important to our success, as we are reminded by CEDAC’s former executive directors Mike Gondek and Carl Sussman in their tribute to Amy Anthony. Anthony, who passed away unexpectedly in December 2018, was an important force for community development in the Commonwealth. In her position as Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Communities and Development in the 1980s, she was instrumental in strengthening CEDAC’s role as an early stage community development financial institution.
We’re glad we had a chance to celebrate with you over the last year. As always, thank you for your partnership and support. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to give us a call at 617-727-5944.
Sincerely,
Roger Herzog