About Us:

California Human Development (CHD) exists to create paths and opportunities for those seeking greater self-sufficiency, independence and dignity through education, training, criminal justice alternatives, housing and other services. Our Vision of the Future is that CHD will continue being a human service organization with a "market" focus, its product being quality, highly successful, innovative services that are designed and developed based on customer needs.

Founded in 1967, the corporation began with $125,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor for a job training program. Today, CHD administers more than 155 separate contracts totaling approximately $23 million. Over the years the Corporation has diversified its services and created programs that touch the lives of people in many important ways. From job training and placement, housing, mentoring/tutoring guidance to at-risk youth and community service projects, CHD reaches out to improve the quality of life for farmworkers and others served by its many programs. CHD offers emergency lodging, meals, transportation and other services to farmworkers and others who find themselves homeless, and seasonal shelters for those who come into areas for harvest-time work.

Several of CHD's programs help those in need of help getting treatment and support to become clean and sober. CHD provides alternative methods of dealing with misdemeanor crimes and the criminal justice system.

CHD founded permanent, affordable housing in three counties that feature apartments and single family homes for farmworker families and low-income seniors.

CHD provides quality services for persons with disabilities that enable them to acquire skills and support in becoming self-sufficient and integrating into the local community.

Of ongoing importance to CHD's mission is job training and placement for farmworkers. The corporation operates many programs that create opportunities for unemployed and under-employed people needing to improve job skills or gain new skills that lead to a better future for themselves and for their children.

The corporation has become increasingly involved with other quality of life issues which are addressed through community education workshops and courses on subjects such as substance abuse, smoking cessation, child abuse and domestic violence prevention, citizenship, immigration and vocational English.

Looking to the future, the corporation and its Board of Directors are committed to maintaining and expanding the services currently available.

The core of CHD's commitment will however, remain unchanged, providing job training that reaches out to the whole person, respecting cultural backgrounds and preparing the student to participate in the mainstream economy.