WHO WE ARE

Our Team

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Esther Carver

Executive Director
Lowell Resident
blonde man with mustach in button up shirt standing in front of tree outside.

Chris Rocha

Development Project Coordinator
Man in coat in front of old homes outside

Ramon Gallerdo

AmeriCops Member
girl with white and black striped sweater outside by brick building

Melody Gallardo

Intern
Girl with yellow shirt smiling in front of apartment complex

Melannie Gallardo

Intern
Girl in red sweater smiling in front of pink blossoming tree

Karah Varner

Intern

Our Board

Chair

woman with long dark brown hair outdoors smiling with brick and plants in background

Carolyn Flores

Lowell Resident

Vice Chair

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Kelsey McVey

Treasurer

Man in suit standing in a park with a tree in the background

Chad Reeder

Secretary

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Christian Gonzales

Board Member

woman in business attire smiling in front of brick wall

Veronica Stumpf

Board Member

woman in business suit in front of a dark background

Desirae Washington

Lowell Resident

Board Member

Alice Green

Lowell Resident

Board Member

Monica So

Lowell Resident

Board Member

Michael Gonzalez

Our History

Formed in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation, The Lowell CDC is a Community Based Organization (CBO) with a mission to improve the quality of life in the Lowell neighborhood through community engagement, equitable housing and historic diversity.
family at front doorstep of home
Lowell CDC was Founded

2011

Lowell CDC is created out of Lowell Neighborhood Association New construction of 415 N. Calaveras wins preservation award 3 homes are renovated by an angel investor and bought by families.

group of people in colorful room holding large check
New Executive Director

2013

Esther Carver is named Executive Director
Blight to Light organizing with partners to
bring about code changes

construction site where framing of apartment complex is shown next to street
Community Engagement

2015

Partners with Housing Authority to build FENIX
Provides Financial Literacy Training for Evangelhome

kids playing on grass in apartment complex
Affordable Housing

2017

Fenix Appartments Open: 30 Units of Affordable Housing
Renovation of 418 N. Calaveras complete

group smiling under awning on sidewalk corridor
Wilderness Program & Emergency Response

2019

Purchase 234 N. Broadway
Launches Wilderness Program
Deploys weekly food boxes to families affected by the pandemic

photo of outdoor party with tables and chairs set up at a park
Neighborhood Trust Formed

2021

Small Business Grant Program
Launches Central Fresno Neighborhood Trust
Lowell Block PARTY
Purchase 234 N. Broadway
Renovated 2056 E White (5 units)

family of five in front yard of their home
Home Renovations

2023

Purchase & renovate 422 N. Park Ave
Renovate 116 N. Yosemite (8 units)
Predevelopment for 234 N. Broadway – office and tiny homes

Strategic Plan

The Lowell Community Development Corporation (Lowell CDC) has developed a comprehensive strategic plan to guide its growth and community impact over the three year span from 2016-2019. This plan, crafted with broad input from the Board of Directors, staff, and TDA Consulting, outlines key initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life in the Lowell neighborhood in Fresno, California.

Partnerships

Fresno Community and Economic Development Partnership LogoDEVELOPING THE FRESNO REGION'S INCLUSIVE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY

Funders

Sponsors

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Esther Carver

Executive DirectorExecutive Director
Lowell Resident
Esther has lived and worked in the Lowell Neighborhood since 2007. Esther grew up on her family’s cattle ranch in the southern- Sierra Nevada Mountains but was transplanted to Fresno to attend Fresno Pacific University where she earned her degree in Intercultural Studies. Esther is an alumni of the Pink House internship (2009) and the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative (2014). Before her role as the first Executive Director for the Lowell CDC in 2014, Esther worked for Fresno Economic Opportunities Commision and Youth for Christ. Esther has been actively involved in her community using her passions to bring about positive change. She helped plan and start the community garden along with other residents and is always up for planning a party to celebrate people and achievements.Esther lives in Lowell with her 3 kids and enjoys photography, riding her motorcycle and hiking in the mountains.
blonde man with mustach in button up shirt standing in front of tree outside.

Chris Rocha

Development Project Coordinator
Chris is a proud born and raised Fresnan. While growing up in Central Unified School District, he had the privilege of attending educational field trips to local historic points of interest that taught Fresno’s rich heritage and cultures. And so, at a young age he fell in love with his community and city.Chris is an alumni of the Downtown Fresno Partnership’s Downtown Academy program (2016) which assisted in the launch of his pursuit of a career focused on underserved communities, community revitalization and built heritage preservation. He would later be hired at the Downtown Fresno Partnership (2017), where he worked as the Business Development Coordinator, assisting longtime small businesses in remaining sustainable through revitalization efforts and fostering relationships with local property owners to assist in drawing new tenants to their vacant properties.Prior to his role as the Development Project Coordinator at the Lowell CDC, he served as a board member (2018 - 2023). Chris has advocated for education on redlining, urban renewal and the overall history of Fresno’s built heritage on his social media platform, “Vintage Fresno”. In his spare time he enjoys attending local community events, adventures with his dog, Charlie, and advocating for causes he’s passionate about.
Man in coat in front of old homes outside

Ramon Gallerdo

AmeriCops Member
Ramon proudly was born in Fresno CA, he was raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX, where he completed university education. Ramon will be serving as an AmeriCorps Member for 8 months to support and develop community projects in the Lowell neighborhood. Ramon enjoys hiking trips, sports and artistic activities.
girl with white and black striped sweater outside by brick building

Melody Gallardo

Intern
Girl with yellow shirt smiling in front of apartment complex

Melannie Gallardo

Intern
Girl in red sweater smiling in front of pink blossoming tree

Karah Varner

Intern
woman with long dark brown hair outdoors smiling with brick and plants in background

Carolyn Flores

Chair
Lowell Resident
blonde woman with glasses smiling with white backdrop

Kelsey McVey

Vice Chair
Man in suit standing in a park with a tree in the background

Chad Reeder

Treasurer
woman in business attire smiling in front of white backdrop

Christian Gonzales

Secretary
woman in business attire smiling in front of brick wall

Veronica Stumpf

Board Member
woman in business suit in front of a dark background

Desirae Washington

Board Member
Lowell Resident

Alice Green

Board Member
Lowell Resident

Monica So

Board Member
Lowell Resident

Michael Gonzalez

Board Member

Download Tenant Information

Know your rights and your responsibilities as a tenant, contact us to take a class or look through the workbook for lots of information.

WHO WE ARE