Last year, when The Unity Council couldn't put on the annual Dia de los Muertos festival in person because of the pandemic, the Fruitvale community felt their losses more acutely, says Itzel Diaz-Romo, interim director of development and communications for the NeighborWorks network organization.

At Daimaru, once a hotel and more permanent housing run by Little Tokyo Service Center, residents were struggling. Many of them worked in the restaurant industry, and the pandemic hit their places of business hard. "So many closed," says Nancy Alcaraz, director of resident services. 

Ariel Locke, a school administrative assistant, was ready for a change. That prompted her to pursue certification in engineering technology through MiraCosta College. A $1,000 scholarship from Community HousingWorks (CHW) is helping pay her way.

Community development organizations need to be "disaster resistant," believes Jayne Windham, CEO and senior consultant of Livable Housing, Inc. "This is sometimes difficult because we're all so busy

Trees surround the four-story project at 16th and F Streets in Sacramento, California. On that corner, in what's known as the City of Trees, NeighborWorks network organization Mutual Housing is overseeing the construction of its first affordable, LGBTQIA+-welcoming senior housing project. The project is believed to be the first of its kind in the central valley, but leaders hope it won't be the last. 

Victoria Barajas was stressed. "Everybody was struggling with the pandemic and with unemployment," she says. "Everything was scary." Barajas herself had been laid off from her temporary job when businesses in San Diego shut down in 2020. So, she hiked up Cowles Mountain. It was important to stay active, and being in nature soothed her.

The recent expansion of NeighborWorks America's network will allow member organizations to make an even greater collective impact in a number of areas, including education for future homeowners, financial coaching and wrap-around support through partnerships. The network also adds new Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), providing affordable lending opportunities for low- and middle-income individuals and businesses.

When Malcolm Yeung interviewed for the executive director post at Chinatown Community Development Center, COVID-19 was still on the horizon. "By January 2020, it was becoming clear we were on the precipice of something very monumental," he says. "I don’t think it quite hit home as to how monumental."