About Us

Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem has a mission to promote social and economic changes within the community of south Bethlehem. The organization has three full-time staff and two part-time staff who develop relationships among business owners and residents of south Bethlehem. Their approach is to empower residents to have a greater voice in their community, while encouraging them and assisting them to attain more economic independence. Staff strives to help local residents, many of them new immigrants, to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams.

The CADCB offers two Start Your Own Business classes every Fall and Spring. These are 16-week classes held in the evening from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The goal of the class is to help students begin to view the world through the eyes of a business owner, and to complete a business plan. The fee for the class is $64, refundable to every student who submits a completed business plan. There are many guest speakers in the class, professional experts, such as lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, and others who provide a "real life view" of the business experience.

In addition to the course, business owners and prospective business owners are provided technical assistance. This expertise is a gamut of services, from helping to develop a marketing plan to reviewing actual financial records or assistance with permitting issues. Whatever the business need, CADCB staff will assist.

CADCB is the project holder for the Southside Vision 2012 revitalization plan for residential neighborhoods of south Bethlehem. Together with the City of Bethlehem, CADCB staffs this important effort. The Southside Vision 2012 plan is currently underway with projects, such as the Bethlehem Greenway, coordination of recreational activities for Southside youth, revitalization of Four Blocks International neighborhood, facade improvments, affordable housing initiatives, beautification of the gateways, and improvements to parks, playgrounds and streetscapes.

For more information about CADCB or our programs, please contact us at 610.807.9337, or visit us at 409 East Fourth Street.