In the summer of 1989, a group of individuals met to contemplate the creation of a community development organization. The group consisted of Cliff Boxley, Trevor Burrows, Robert Jones, Dyanne Ladine, Beth Leder-Pack, Jane Leech, Barbara Mouton, Acanio Piomelli, Majoriel Wallace and William Webster.
The outcome was the formation of a membership-based Community Development Corporation (CDC) in August 1991. East Palo Alto Community Alliance and Neighborhood Development Organization (EPA CAN DO) was incorporated as a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization.
Community Development Corporations (CDC’s) are usually neighborhood based, consisting of local residents, representatives of other community groups, non-profits and businesses. CDC’s are usually not for profit organizations that can address affordable housing development and other issues depending on particular neighborhood needs.
EPA CAN DO’s primary objectives and purposes were, and still remain, the same as they have been over the last 14 years.