About Us

What we’re about…

EMPOWERED RESIDENTS = THRIVING COMMUNITY

Our Vision

We seek the holistic well-being of the Jackson neighborhood where residents are known, valued, and empowered to collaborate for the thriving of its people and place.

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Our Mission

We pursue resident-led community engagement, leadership generation, and asset-based community development in the following areas:

Neighborhood Network
Community Resources
Economic Development
Safety & Beautification
Educational Attainment
Youth Development
Accessible Housing
Health & Well-being

Our Staff

Rhonda Dueck, Executive Director

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Rhonda has lived as a resident in the Jackson neighborhood for 30+ years and is honored to be the first Executive Director of the Jackson CDC. A graduate of Fresno Pacific University, where she also earned a teaching credential and master’s degree, has opened up many leadership opportunities. She has been involved in leadership mentoring and community development for over a decade in a variety of spaces. Being able to focus her energy on the neighborhood she loves is a dream come true. She is committed to the flourishing of the Jackson neighborhood and believes strongly that empowering residents is vital to a vibrant and thriving community. Rhonda is married to Kevin, who is a teacher at Kings Canyon Middle School, and they have four adult children. Rhonda loves to camp and hang out at the beach, travel with family, read great books, and cheer on the SF Giants.

Sarah Valentine, Program Manager

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Sarah is originally from the Bay Area, she and her husband, Michael moved their family to Fresno 5.5 years ago, where they became first-time homeowners, which was a dream and blessing for their growing family (their last child was born here in Fresno a few months after their move). While Michael continued to work in San Jose, CA, Sarah wanted to find ways to get more connected with her new neighborhood and community. One day while surfing the internet, she came across a posting that a neighbor was giving away Christmas decorations from a donation he received, Sarah reached out and met Jeff Grunau. Upon meeting Jeff in person, he shared with her and her husband about the Jackson Neighborhood Association. A few months later, she saw a posting on Nextdoor.com about a community clean-up that was happening and she volunteered. From there she continued to volunteer within the neighborhood. In April 2022, Sarah volunteered to help promote the Play Streets event that focused on addressing the traffic issues in the area. In August 2022, the JCDC Board offered a part-time position as the Literacy and Recreation Coordinator. Sarah oversaw the Literacy Mentor and Saturday Sports programs that are still at Jackson Elementary. In February 2023, she became the Program Manager with JCDC. She continues to volunteer at Jackson Elementary School and is the School Site Council President and ELAC Secretary.
Sarah has a stepson (23y) who lives in San Jose, a Senior at Roosevelt High School, a daughter in the 2nd grade, and a son in Kindergarten who both attend Jackson Elementary School.

Daisy Nevarez, Community Engagement Liaison

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Born and raised in downtown Fresno, Daisy Nevarez truly has a passion for this city. She currently attends Fresno City College where she is pursuing education towards a career in teaching. She volunteers at Jackson Elementary School as a Literacy Mentor and loves helping students learn their sight words and to see their confidence grow as they achieve their goals. Daisy assists with neighborhood Learning Conversations, helps at the Jackson Neighborhood Association Kids Club, and leads the Saturday Sports program. She leads worship at Neighborhood Church Fresno, which meets in the Jackson neighborhood and helps in the translation for their Spanish speakers. She has a heart for her community and desires to see the very best for its residents. Daisy loves being part of the Jackson CDC staff team where she is a significant support in Spanish translation.

Tasha Guess, Literacy Support Specialist

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Tasha and her family have lived in the Fresno area since 2007. She graduated from CSUB with a teaching credential and taught 4th grade for five years. She has homeschooled her daughters through TK to 8th grade. Tasha has been involved in volunteer community work for over a decade. Tasha is excited to join the team as the Literacy Support Specialist. She works with the Jackson Elementary staff and students.
Tasha is married to Kyle, who is a senior mechanical designer at Process Consultants. They have four school age daughters. Tasha enjoys creating art, listening to the crash of ocean waves, hiking among tall trees in the mountains, walking the neighborhood, and reading the Bible.

Our Resident-Led Board

Joe White - President

Heidi White - Secretary

Jeff Grunau - Treasurer

Launa Grunau - member at large

Vicky Flores - member at large

back: Joe and Jeff

front: Vicky, Heidi, Rhonda, Launa

Our History

Our founding residents, Joe and Heidi White, discovered that their neighbors had so many good ideas for how to solve some of Jackson’s greatest challenges. They also realized that institutions typically served their neighbor’s perceived needs without listening to their actual needs. In response, they utilized the best practices of asset-based community development and created Jackson Community Development Corporation (Jackson CDC). In collaboration with residents our goal is to provide spaces to listen to our neighbors as well as utilize each neighbor’s gifts and passions for creative solutions that address real neighborhood problems. We also prioritized collaboration with Neighborhood Church - a local church in Jackson - as well as other churches, non-profits, and the City of Fresno with the fundamental belief that partnership is the only way to catalyze sustainable change in Jackson.