Congratulations to our CEO, Alexis Villanueva, for her nomination as a finalist for the San Diego Business Journal’s 2024 CEO of the Year.

Ranielle has hit the ground running, and her teammates are already describing her help as “essential” and praising her for “jumping in to support”—she’s been so helpful!

Diana joined staff last April to serve as a Senior Program Manager of both Resident Services and Economic Development teams, and we’re thrilled to have her!

City Heights Community Development Corporation is thrilled to announce the appointment of Alexis Villanueva as our new Executive Director. This is a significant milestone for our organization, and we couldn’t be more excited to have Alexis leading us into the future. 

Economic Development team members Tom, Sonia, Sergio and, Development Manager, Yaneth, share what drove them to the City Heights CDC.

Thanks to our colleague, Tom Bui, and the San Diego Tourism Authority for combing through the neighborhood to highlight some of the community’s best murals, restaurants, parks, and small businesses.

“Helping bridge gaps between residents and essential resources gets me excited.

Their limited English—which is always a hindrance to accessing resources and opportunities—is less of a problem when they have help. It’s humbling for me, being able to help make these connections.”

The City Heights Community Development Corporation (City Heights CDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexis Villanueva as Interim Executive Director, effective December 8th, 2022.

One thing that has totally caught me off guard was how much I can relate with the residents I work with! For example, when I do after-school programming with the kids at Hollywood Palms, I often see myself in them.

“The imbalance of power between landlords and tenants, which is created by weak tenant protections, places the tenants in a vulnerable position that is further amplified when the tenant has language, financial, or other barriers.”

As one of our most veteran staff members, Maria has spent decades working and waiting for promises to be kept. She was part of some of the earliest advocacy work dating back to The Visions Project.

It is a privilege to address you as ‘community’ and to be able to truly mean it. During my years working here, I have fallen more and more in love with City Heights and her people, places, and incredible beauty and resilience.

“My family and I were evicted just a few years after we moved to the United States. I was around 8 years old, maybe younger, and it was traumatic. You don't forget those things…”

My name is Destenie, but I prefer Des.

I was born in Orange, California, and raised in Tijuana/San Diego. I was a 4th grader when my family moved to Tijuana following my stepdad’s deportation, a move that impacted the core of who I am today.

Thanks to all who worked to make this a success, and special thanks to all the mamas who help hold the City Heights community together—we see and celebrate you!

Why do people help others?

It’s a simple question without a simple answer. Some help because it feels good, some because it’s their job, and others because they simply care about their neighborhood and want to make it better. Rickie Brown helps her neighbors for all those reasons, no doubt, but the strongest motivation by far is…

“I remember life in the refugee camp, after we finally made it to Thailand,” Maly recalled. “I was so young when we escaped. A lot of people died and it was all so horrible, but I do remember a few things from that time…”

Hey all, my name is Tom Bui and I work in City Heights, one of San Diego’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods. In fact, at least 30 languages and dialects are spoken, and those are just the ones we know!

“I think people of color often get stuck on this idea that they shouldn’t ask for help,” Cierra began. As an eviction prevention outreach manager, Cierra is on the frontlines of the housing crisis…

Our team recently spent time eating and hanging out together in-person for the first time in years! We’re grateful for tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, but nothing can replace being in the same space together.