Community Donations will support the restoration of the CEDC Headquarters after a fire last Spring

On April 19, 2021, a devastating fire in the North End of New Bedford claimed the lives of two residents and displaced over three dozen occupants, including the Community Economic Development Center (CEDC).

Over the last nine months, the CEDC has remained focused and committed to its mission while working to establish a new headquarters at 1501 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford. The CEDC is a vital resource to the individuals they serve and as a partner to Southcoast Health in achieving its mission as a nonprofit community hospital.

Southcoast Health is proud to support the rebuild of the CEDC headquarters through the donation of surplus office supplies and furniture.

“The furniture donation from Southcoast Health was essential for us after the fire,” said Corinn Williams, Executive Director of the CEDC. “The chairs and tables helped outfit our classroom and enabled us to start the English for Speakers of Other Languages program at our new site.”

Supporting Community Partners

The CEDC is a grass-roots non-profit that assists new immigrant families and long-term residents in achieving economic opportunities through skill building, providing access to critical resources, and by promoting neighborhood revitalization. The CEDC also plays a critical role in combatting COVID-19, including working with Southcoast Health to provide community-based outreach and education and promoting Southcoast’s testing and vaccine initiatives.

“We would like to acknowledge and thank the entire team at the CEDC for their ongoing partnership, resiliency, and advocacy in improving the health and wellness of the communities we serve,” said Rachel Davis, Southcoast Health Director of Community Benefits. “Their continuous assistance throughout the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is highly valued and appreciated by Southcoast Health and the community.”

Southcoast partners with community-based organizations to reduce health disparities and provide improved access to care, through upstream strategies that are proactive and focused on improving long-term health outcomes across the region. To learn more about Southcoast Health’s community benefits programs, please visit Southcoast Cares – Southcoast Health.