About Us

Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a non-profit, faith based organization committed to empowering people, creating positive opportunities for the community and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Our Story

Our Story

Making Detroit Better Everyday

Vision

Our vision is that “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets, each of them with cane in hand because of their age, telling stories to one another. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there” Zach 8:4-5.

Our vision is that “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets, each of them with cane in hand because of their age, telling stories to one another. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there” Zach 8:4-5.

Mission

Mission

Our mission is that through education, employment and economic development, Central Detroit Christian CDC strives to transform individuals to reach their highest potential while transforming the community to be a place of Shalom (peace and wholeness).

Our Achievements

Our achievements reflect our commitment to building a stronger community through innovative 
programs, meaningful partnerships, and transformative initiatives that create lasting change.

30 Years

of serving our community

31,396

individual children served

58,850

square feet of Orchards and Gardens

576,420

Volunteer hours

623,200

meals served to children

10,387

Households Served

709

Dumpsters Filled

793

New HBE
Homeowners

18,400

School Backpacks & Supplies Handed Out

3,150

Teens Employed

11

Parks Developed

4,490

Christmas Presents Given

734

Homes Repaired & Rehabbed

17

Businesses Started

11,000

Gallons of paint

8,963

Zucchinis Grown

136,400

Bananas Sold

About the Founder

Lisa is the Founder and Housing Director of Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation (CDC), a non-profit organization that she co-founded with Melvin Green in 1993. Central Detroit Christian CDC follows the tenets of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), relocate, reconcile, and redistribute. Lisa believes deep in her heart that the only way to serve a neighborhood is to live there and be a neighbor.

Detroit has been a racially and economically divided city for decades. Healing this divide takes time, presence, mutual trust, love and prayer. Redistribution of resources to remediate the resource and economic gap is a natural extension of the blessings we have received.
Central Detroit Christian CDC has aggregated resources from partner churches, our supporters, and foundations to help our neighbors get into affordable homes, learn new skills to get a job, get a house painted, and provide assistance during a crisis. Sometimes this means taking calls in the middle of the night to pray for and console a family that lost a loved one. Sometimes this means lending a helping hand during a time of need. Relocation, reconciliation and redistribution work together in Central Detroit to create peace (Shalom). Lisa, and her staff, strive towards the same goal, Shalom in the neighborhood and to hear Christ say, “Well done good and faithful servant!”

Lisa is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and Wheaton College with a major in Education and Bible and a graduate of John Marshall Law School. Lisa’s husband Dan is active in property management as well. They have two children, Justin and Emma and many non-biological children. They live where they serve in central Detroit.

The Staff

Arleen Allen

Pathways of Promise
Center Director

Mimi Jamila Trent

Housing Counselor

Matt Corbin

Real Estate Development

Christa Cuffie

Youth Sports Tech

Tanisha Frasard

Receptionist

Darrell Horton

Facilities Management

Arianna Hinds

Accountant

Dan Johanon

Solid Rock Property Management

Justin Johanon

Manager, Fit & Fold

Lisa Johanon

Founder/Housing Director

Sarah Johnson

Finance Director

Kyle Lake

Executive Director

Helen Logan

Accounting

DeShawn Lott

Youth Sports Tech

Erica Mixon

Community Advocate

Evan Neubacher

Garden Production Manager

Nate Phillips

Property Manager, Solid Rock Property Management

Donnell Reed

Maintenance Tech

Grayling Roberson

Construction Manager

Tracy Smith

Housing Counselor, Financial Wellness Coach

Joshua Rock

Education Director

Board of Directors

Denise Gray (Chair of the Board)
Committee: Governance
Affiliation: 36th District Court; 
COMMUNITY

Jonathan Wynne (Secretary)

Committee: Governance
Affiliation: Kingdom Concepts
Marilyn Williams
Committee: Development
Affiliation: Retired from State of Michigan; 
COMMUNITY

Courtney Eldridge
Committee: Governance
Affiliation: Huntington Bank

James Ewing
Committee: Fund Development
Affiliation: J Ewing, LLC
Keona Cowan
Committee: Finance Committee
Affiliation: Invest Detroit
Joy Greer
Committee: Fund Development
Affiliation: United Health Care
Renard Wilson
Committee: Fund Development
Affiliation: Community
Quincy Jones (Treasurer)

Committee: Finance
Affiliation: Osborn Neighborhood Association, 
Community

Ken Hoganson
Committee: Governance

Sarah Pavelko (Vice Chair)
Committee: Governance
Affiliation: DEGC; COMMUNITY
Kevin Watkins
Committee: Finance
Sarah Pavelko (Vice Chair)
Committee: Governance
Affiliation: DEGC; COMMUNITY

Brian Meagher
Committee: Fund Development

Carly Mitchell

Committee: Fund Development

Chris Meagher
Committee: Governance

Board of Directors

Next Steps

Join Our Mission

Make a difference in the heart of Detroit by volunteering your time and skills. Your efforts help us build a stronger, more vibrant community.

Support Our Cause

Your generous donations empower us to continue our vital work in Detroit. Every contribution helps provide essential services and create opportunities for those in need.

Get in Touch

Have questions or want to learn more about how you can get involved? Reach out to us and we’ll be happy to assist you.
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