Community Development Partnership Shares Thanks for Significant Support During Annual Fundraising Event
Orleans, MA – Over 200 people attended the 9th annual A Summer Evening on the Farm on August 24, 2023, supporting the Community Development Partnership, which helps create affordable housing and economic opportunities for people who live year-round on the Lower and Outer Cape. The fundraiser, which took place at the Greenhouse By The Sea in South Orleans, grossed over $500,000, raising more than $435,000 through its Fund-the-Need Auction and $65,000 through ticket sales and sponsorships, making it the organization's most successful event ever.
The event celebrates the organization's critical work and calls upon the community to help ensure the CDP has resources to help individuals and families on their paths to working, living, and thriving on the Lower and Outer Cape. The CDP provides training and mentoring to small business owners, offers micro-loans to start and expand businesses, provides affordable rental housing, and advocates, trains, and promotes informed housing policy decision-making.
Jay Coburn, CDP President & CEO, said that employers need workers, and workers need affordable housing. "More than fifty percent of our workforce lives off Cape," said Coburn. "Lower and Outer Cape towns are even further from the bridges, making it even more difficult for our year-round residents and business owners."
Guest speaker Arelis Cruz-Alemán, a former CDP rental housing resident, shared her family's emotional story. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the Cruz-Aleman Family left Puerto Rico for a new life on Cape Cod. Thanks to the stability and support they received while living at Fred Bell Way, a CDP-owned rental property in Wellfleet -- and through Alfred Cruz's employment at Mac's Seafood, a CDP Microloan recipient -- the Cruz family found their footing and a home on the Cape. The CDP's low rental fee enabled the family to work, live, and save money to purchase their new home. And with additional support from Habitat for Humanity's affordable homeownership program, they became homeowners in 2022.
Arelis Cruz-Alemán shared, "Having a stable, affordable, and nice place to live was a dream come true. A place where we could get back on our feet. Because of the support and kindness of the community, we have been able to rebuild our lives on the Lower Cape and move forward."
Guests enjoyed live music performed by the Old Guys Quartet, local bites, fresh-shucked oysters, and drinks provided by Truro Vineyards and Devil's Purse Brewing.
Generous local businesses, without whose support the event would not have been successful, include Harvest Sponsors − Eastham Ace Hardware, Polhemus Savery DaSilva, W. Vernon Whiteley Plumbing and Heating; Garden Sponsors – Aqua Bar, Cape Associates, Inc, Mayflower Trolley, Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), John Ciluzzi's Premier Commercial, Spiritus Pizza; Seedling Sponsors – Cape Cod 5, Coastal Engineering Co., The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, Cregg Sweeney, LLC Artisan Builders, Cove Road Real Estate, Kerry Insurance Agency, La Tanzi Spaulding & Landreth, Law Offices of Singer and Singer, Mid-Cape Home Centers, Pierce Law, Seamen's Bank, Shepley Wood Products, Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters, Studio G Architects; and Event Host – Greenhouse By The Sea. The CDP also extends its gratitude to all volunteers who made the event happen.