Force Of Hope EDC is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Non-Profit Public Benefit Economic Development Corporation , based in Los Angeles, California; founded in 2004, and is the vision of Clarence E. McClendon, Ph.D. Force Of Hope EDC has a mission to administer both economic and community development outreach programs, projects and services.
Force Of Hope EDC Board of Directors are:
Clarence E. McClendon, Ph.D, Chairman; Bishop & Senior Pastor, Full Harvest International Church and CEO, Clarence E. McClendon Ministries (CEMM)
John Rowe, President and Minister of Full Harvest International Church
Nathaniel Jackson, Ph.D., Trustee, El Camino College
Channing D. Johnson, Attorney, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Nancy Majette, Consultant, Office of Arizona Governor
Frank Stokes, Ex-Officio Executive Director and Consultant, Stokes Pacifique Associates
Background
In March 2005, Force Of Hope EDC hosted "The Art & Science Of Grant Writing" a two-day certification seminar in El Segundo, California; for faith-based and community based non-profit organizations, in partnership with the White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Forty community service organizations were represented and received the training certification.
Economic Development
The Force Of Hope EDC faciliates Business & Entrepreneurial Development seminars and workshops for new and upcoming entrepreneurs and business owners through the Business Resources & Entrepreneurial Access Development (BREAD) Network. In 2008, Force Of Hope EDC and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by El Camino College became partners to facilitate an on-going series of Entrepreneurial Development Training Workshops and to provide free one-to-one consulting for new and growing business owners.
In partnership with Wells Fargo "Hands On Banking" Program, and Union Bank of California, the Force Of Hope EDC facilitates on-going Home Ownership Education and Financial Literacy Seminars and Workshops to encourage families to repair, build and manage credit, to invest in home ownership and to learn to budget, to save and to start to build an investment portfolio. In April 2007, Force Of Hope EDC facilitated its first Foreclosure Mitigation Seminar to prepare homeowners facing possible foreclosure, prior to the dramatic housing market change.
Job Creation And Development
Force Of Hope EDC serves as an Intake Site for candidates of the United Job Creation Council (UJCC) and the City of Los Angeles for the Construction Trades Apprenticeship Training Program in partnership with local trade unions; and for candidates of the Los Angeles Infrastructure Academy for high school students seeking careers in public utilities and infrastructure.
Force Of Hope EDC serves as a Host Site in partnership with the United Job Creation Council, the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB), and the City of Hawthorne to facilitate Lifeskills Training Workshops and Rights-of-Passage for at-risk youth.
Youth Mentorship And Scholarship
Force Of Hope EDC in partnership with the Chancellor's Office of California State University, the Campaign for College Opportunity and AFL-CIO Community Service, facilitates the community outreach program: "Dare To Dream: Access To Success" to prepare students for successful college or university entry and graduation. Students are also provided support through the Force Of Hope EDC Scholarship4Books Program.
Force Of Hope EDC in partnership with the Ford Theatre Foundation Community Outreach Partnership Program (COPP) provides a Summer Series of opportunities for inner city youth to attend selected theatre performances for enhancement of exposure to the performing arts of all cultures.
Force Of Hope EDC in partnership with ByDesign Financial Solutions provides Financial Literacy Workshops for youth to train and prepare them for management of their "Financial First Five" which includes: First Bank Account, First Credit Card, First Job, First Home-Away-From-Home Experience (Moving Out), and the First Car Purchase.
Community Service
Force Of Hope EDC also serves as a Host Site for Angel Food Ministries of Good Hope, Georgia to distribute high-quality fresh and frozen food from menu orders each month for citizens, families and organizations in the Los Angeles South Bay Area.
Force Of Hope EDC facilitates various community service outreach programs each month to provide emergency food, transportation assistance, clothes, Pampers and personal care products and gifts for hundreds of individuals and families in need. All adults served are referred to other agencies for housing placement and job training and placement opportunities.
On 29th April 2007, the Force Of Hope EDC hosted the first free BIG SUNDAY Los Angeles Brunch for a community service project. On the 4th May 2008, the Force Of Hope EDC in partnership with BIG SUNDAY Los Angeles and Dulan's Catering hosted a free "Southern California Sunday Brunch" for a hundred individuals in transition as special guests who were served by volunteers from Carson High School and the Toyota Corporation. BIG SUNDAY Los Angeles is Mayor Villaraigosa's special weekend each year of over 50,000 volunteers serving over 300 community service projects all over Southern California.
For the past three years, Force Of Hope EDC in partnership with the World Vision Los Angeles, the City of Gardena, California; and Full Harvest International Church, have hosted the Thanksgiving Day Dinner Outreach, serving hot meals to as many as seven hundred (700) underserved guests. Guests received round-trip transportation to and from the site, received new clothing, personal care products, hair cuts, manicures and toys for children. Additionally, families in need in the community were distributed free Turkeys for Thanksgiving Day Celebration at their home.
Health And Wellness Awareness
Force Of Hope EDC in partnership with the American Cancer Society, L.A. Cares Health Plan, Kaiser Permenente, Care 1st Health Plan, Magic Johnson 24-Hr Fitness, Food For Life and Los Angeles County Public Health Department, facilitated the First Annual Health & Wellness Day "Body & Soul: Celebration Of Healthy Eating & Living" on 3rd May 2008. The community service event provided opportunities for free health and wellness exams and referrals to organizations and agencies for healthy living information.
For more information, download and print the Force Of Hope EDC Brochure. 
