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Change Starts With Community &Community Starts Here.
Founded by local residents and merchants in 1983, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC) is a trusted community anchor serving East New York, Cypress Hills, City Line, Starrett City, and surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Every day, we work alongside children, families, seniors, immigrants, tenants, students, and small business owners to help create safer neighborhoods, stronger futures, and lasting economic opportunity. From youth programs and workforce development to affordable housing advocacy, public benefits assistance, food access, and college success, our work meets people where they are — and helps them move forward.
WHY DONORS CHOOSE CHLDC
Deep Community Roots
We were founded by local residents and merchants and remain community-led more than four decades later.
Holistic Support
We understand that thriving communities require investment in education, housing, health, workforce development, food access, and family stability together.
Trusted Neighborhood Presence
Families return to CHLDC across generations because we consistently show up for the community.
Long-Term Impact
We focus on sustainable change that empowers residents and strengthens Cypress Hills and East New York for the future.
WHAT WE DO
More Than Programs. Real People. Real Change.
At Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, we believe thriving communities are built when residents have access to opportunity, stability, education, housing, and support systems that meet real everyday needs. Through community-driven programs and services, we help children, families, young adults, seniors, and local businesses build stronger futures right here in East New York and Cypress Hills.
Youth & Family Services
From afterschool and summer programs to family support services and community centers, our Youth + Family Services programs help children, teens, and families access mentorship, enrichment, wellness programs, and safe spaces where they can learn, grow, and connect.
College Success
Our College Success programs help students navigate the path to higher education through college counseling, financial aid support, career exploration, mentorship, and one-on-one guidance that helps make college accessible and achievable.
Careers + Training
CHLDC provides workforce training, certifications, career coaching, and job readiness support that help youth and adults access careers in industries like technology, transportation, construction, and healthcare. While offering hiring partners a direct path to talent.
Public Benefits
We help community members access essential services and public benefits including SNAP, Cash Assistance, Fair Fares, childcare enrollment, emergency assistance, and other resources that support family stability and wellbeing.
Housing Services
Our Housing Services help tenants, homeowners, and families navigate housing challenges through counseling, advocacy, financial literacy education, foreclosure prevention, and community organizing support.
Business Partnerships
CHLDC works with entrepreneurs, merchants, and local businesses through partnerships, workshops, technical assistance, and business development programs that strengthen neighborhood economies and create opportunity across Brooklyn.
YOUR IMPACT
Your Support Creates Immediate & Lasting Impact
We can help you understand eligibility, organize documents, complete applications, and troubleshoot issues if something goes wrong. We assist residents with city, state, and federal benefit programs, including:
$25
Helps provide meals, school supplies, or enrichment materials for youth programs.
$50
Supports community workshops, financial literacy programs, or tenant advocacy resources..
$100
Helps fund workforce certifications, career readiness support, and transportation assistance for young adults entering the workforce.
$250
Supports college access counseling, youth leadership development, and family support services.
$500
Helps sustain community centers, housing advocacy, food access initiatives, and life-changing neighborhood programs.
Whether you give once or become a recurring donor, every dollar stays connected to the community and helps create opportunities that can change the trajectory of someone’s life.
Become a Monthly Community Builder
Monthly donors provide consistent, reliable support that helps CHLDC respond to urgent community needs while sustaining long-term programs that families depend on every day. Even a small monthly gift can help create lasting change across Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Together, we can ensure East New York continues to thrive.
A NATIONAL RECOGNITION OF COMMUNITY IMPACT
An $8 Million Investment in the Future of East New York
CHLDC was honored to receive an unprecedented $8 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, a transformative investment in both our organization and the East New York community.
This award affirms what our community has always known: that grassroots, community-driven organizations create lasting change. While this gift strengthened our future, the ongoing support of donors, community members, and partners continues to power the daily work happening across Brooklyn. Every contribution helps us expand opportunity, deepen our impact, and continue serving generations to come.
This extraordinary contribution recognized decades of work in:
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Poverty reduction
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Workforce development
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Youth and family services
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College access and persistence
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Housing advocacy and affordable housing preservation
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Urban agriculture and food justice
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Public health and community organizing
Be Part of the Story of Community Transformation
For over 40 years, CHLDC has stood beside Brooklyn families through challenges, opportunities, and moments of transformation. With your support, we can continue expanding access, empowering residents, and building a stronger, more equitable future for generations to come.
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