Dr. Kisia L. Coleman
Executive Director
VISION
Stronger People. Stronger Families. Stronger Communities.
Our vision is to see underserved individuals, families, and communities empowered with the opportunities, resources, relationships, and support needed to thrive.
We envision communities where young people can reach their full potential, families can access the resources they need, residents feel safe and connected, and organizations work together to create lasting positive change.
PURPOSE
Creating Pathways to Opportunity and Community Advancement
The purpose of Inner City Empowerment Community Development Corporation (ICE CDC) is to strengthen underserved communities by identifying needs, expanding access to resources and opportunities, developing responsive programs, and building partnerships that improve the quality of life for individuals and families.
ICE CDC serves as a connector, convener, and community-development partner—bringing residents, organizations, service providers, governmental agencies, businesses, and other stakeholders together to address challenges, coordinate resources, and create solutions that promote safety, opportunity, wellness, and community advancement.
MISSION
Equip Underserved People for Success and Advancement in Life.
Our mission is to equip underserved people for success and advancement in life by providing and connecting individuals and families with programs, resources, opportunities, supportive relationships, and community partnerships that promote youth development, safety, wellness, stability, and long-term success.
Through direct programming, community outreach, collaboration, resource connection, and strategic partnerships, ICE CDC works to help people overcome barriers, develop their potential, and contribute to stronger, healthier communities.
About Us
Serving the Underserved. Strengthening Communities.
Inner City Empowerment Community Development Corporation (ICE CDC) is a nonprofit community development organization committed to equipping underserved people for success and advancement in life.
Serving Chicago Heights, Park Forest, Sauk Village, and surrounding South Suburban communities, ICE CDC works to strengthen individuals, families, and neighborhoods by addressing barriers that can stand in the way of opportunity, safety, stability, and healthy development.
Our work focuses on youth empowerment and development, violence prevention and community safety, outreach and resource connection, mental health and wellness support through partnerships and referrals, and collaborative community initiatives. We bring residents, organizations, service providers, government partners, and other community stakeholders together to help identify needs, connect resources, develop solutions, and create greater opportunities for the people and communities we serve.
At ICE CDC, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed—and that stronger people, stronger families, and stronger partnerships help build stronger communities.
Dr. D. John Coleman
President
Isis Nelson
Leslie Rohwedder
Assistant Treasure
Sarita Gray
Secretary
Carla Bolorunduro
OUR PROGRAMS
Empowering People. Connecting Resources. Building Safer Communities.
ICE CDC develops and supports programs and community initiatives designed to respond to real needs while helping individuals and families move toward greater opportunity, stability, and success.
Our areas of work include:
Youth Empowerment & Development
We create opportunities for young people to develop confidence, leadership, life skills, career awareness, creativity, and positive relationships with caring adults. Our youth initiatives incorporate mentoring, educational and enrichment activities, the arts, career and life preparation, community engagement, and experiences that help young people recognize their potential and prepare for their future.
Violence Prevention & Community Safety
ICE CDC works with residents, community organizations, violence-prevention providers, municipalities, schools, law enforcement, behavioral-health partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen local violence-prevention efforts. Through community convening, outreach, planning, coordination, and resource connection, we help communities work together to address violence, improve safety, and create healthier environments for young people and families.
Community Outreach & Resource Connection
We meet people where they are and help connect residents with information, programs, services, and community resources. Our outreach includes community events, neighborhood engagement, resource-sharing, family support initiatives, and partnerships designed to help residents access assistance when they need it.
Mental Health, Wellness &
Trauma Support
Recognizing the impact that violence, trauma, stress, and other life challenges can have on individuals and families, ICE CDC works with qualified community partners to increase awareness, provide education, and connect residents with appropriate mental health, behavioral health, and supportive services.
Community Partnerships
& Collaboration
We believe lasting community change requires collaboration. ICE CDC brings together residents, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, businesses, schools, faith communities, and service providers to share information, identify gaps, coordinate resources, and develop solutions that respond to community priorities.
Our programs continue to grow as the needs of our communities evolve. Whether we are supporting a young person, connecting a family to resources, convening community leaders, responding to a neighborhood crisis, or building a new partnership, our goal remains the same: to equip people and communities with the support, opportunities, and resources needed to move forward.
OUR HISTORY
A Legacy of Service. An Expanding Vision for Community Impact.
The work behind Inner City Empowerment Community Development Corporation did not begin with the creation of a grant-funded organization. It grew out of more than two decades of community service and outreach led through Kingdom Church International Ministries and Empowered People Church, where our leadership, volunteers, and partners worked to respond to the practical needs of children, youth, families, and underserved communities.
Over the years, that work has included youth mentoring and empowerment programs, performing arts and cultural initiatives, school-supply and backpack distributions, holiday assistance for families, food and clothing support, educational activities, community events, and other efforts designed to encourage, equip, and strengthen people.
As the needs of the community grew, so did the vision. In 2023, the work expanded significantly through violence-prevention and community-convening efforts, creating stronger relationships with residents, municipalities, service providers, violence-prevention organizations, behavioral-health partners, and other community stakeholders.
In 2025, ICE CDC began operating more fully as the vehicle through which this expanding community-development work could be funded and delivered. This allowed the organization to broaden its reach, develop partnerships and programming outside of primarily religious activities, pursue governmental and philanthropic funding, and serve the community through an intentionally inclusive nonprofit platform.
Today, ICE CDC builds upon that longstanding foundation of service while addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities. Our work now encompasses violence prevention, youth development, community outreach, mental health and resource connections, collaborative planning, and community capacity building.
The methods have expanded, the partnerships have grown, and the organization has evolved—but the heart of the work remains the same:
Equip Underserved People for Success and Advancement in Life!
