Live, Work, Thrive

A Note from Jay Coburn, CDP President & CEO

Friday, March 8th, is International Women's Day (IWD). IWD is a global day celebrating women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. The day also marks a call to action to accelerate equality and justice for all.

To celebrate IWD 2024, we are excited to introduce you to women promoting community, connection, and collaborative action to help build a more equitable world. Their stories exemplify our dedication to creating environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.

The CDP offers affordable housing and assistance to businesses and entrepreneurs in the Lower and Outer Cape communities. Of the 92 units of affordable housing owned and managed by CDP, 57% are occupied by women or families with a female head of household. Additionally, out of the nearly 3,000 businesses assisted by CDP over the past 30 years, 47% are led by women. These statistics highlight that women are less likely to own property and have access to capital, making them vulnerable to economic instability.

Many women also play a critical role in addressing these issues. At the CDP, women leaders manage 85% of CDP programs; the organization's staff is 54% female. By promoting women's stability, work, and leadership, we seek to address women's opportunity gaps and encourage their economic security on the Lower and Outer Cape and beyond.

Let's continue to work together to champion diversity, increase inclusion, and promote economic opportunity. By doing so, we honor the contributions of women worldwide and pave the way for a more sustainable economy and a just and equitable society for all.

Housing Stability Possible with the CDP

"I feel so grateful and so blessed. Because it was hard for me to find a stable, affordable place here, extremely hard."

 – Wendy Borgstrom, CDP resident, Helen's Way

Wendy Borgstrom, a CDP resident who moved to Helen's Way a decade ago, expresses deep gratitude for finding a stable and affordable home after years of uncertainty and frequent moves.

Helen's Way, in Truro, built in 2014, is marking its 10th anniversary. It consists of a duplex-style building accommodating three year-round residents, featuring a 1-bedroom unit and a 2-bedroom unit.

Originally from Connecticut, her journey to the Cape began thirty years ago, driven by a desire to live in the area she cherished from childhood visits to her aunts' cottages in West Yarmouth. Despite various life and career paths taking her elsewhere, including Florida, Chicago, and New York City during the AIDS epidemic, Wendy found solace and community on Cape Cod after accompanying a friend seeking peace amidst illness. "One of my closest friends had AIDS," said Wendy. "He wanted to be on the Cape to find peace and rest, so we came here in 1991." Sadly, her friend passed, but Wendy stayed, finding a welcoming and caring community.

For 20 years, Wendy says her housing situation was precarious, starting during the 90s real estate boom in Provincetown, where she struggled to find affordable and permanent accommodation due to frequent property turnovers. Wendy moved from place to place, wondering when she could settle. 

Read more about Wendy Borgstrom's journey to housing stability.

Making Mean Burgers and New Opportunities

“I know my family and I can count on CDP to help us as we work to grow our business on the Cape.”

 – Johanne Brown, owner of Mean Burgers Ptown, Provincetown

Mean Burgers Ptown is a family affair.

When Johanne Brown and her family were considering opening a restaurant on Cape Cod, they did not lack restaurant experience.

Johanne's mother ran a small restaurant in Jamaica while Johanne was growing up. Later, when Johanne moved to Cape Cod, she worked in several kitchens and even served as the head chef at 10 Tables for seven years. During this time, Johanne and her family had a dream of opening their own restaurant. When 10 Tables changed hands and Johanne learned of a vacancy in Aquarium Mall in Provincetown, they saw it as the perfect opportunity to make their dream a reality.



Read more about Johanne Brown and her family's CDP experience.

CDP Spotlight: Housing Advocacy Team

“The CDP's approach is collaborative and solution-oriented, and it is critical to be action-minded in order to reshape policies and create systems that will help people.”

 – Amanda Bebrin, CDP Director of Housing Advocacy

The CDP's Housing Advocacy team focuses on one of the most pressing challenges to stability in our region: providing safe, affordable, and equitable access to housing. The team comprises a Director of Housing Advocacy, a Housing Advocacy Program Manager, and two Community Organizers. 

Coming from varied backgrounds and experiences, they all share a strong dedication to improving and increasing access to affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents in the Lower and Outer Cape.

We interviewed the CDP's Housing Advocacy team members about their goals for 2024 and beyond. Their proactive mindset to community engagement and a commitment to actionable solutions, the team envisions a Cape Cod where housing is accessible, communities thrive, and the legacy of the Cape is a special place to live.

Read more to learn more about the Housing Advocacy team and what gives them hope.

Save the Date: CDP 2024 Annual Meeting

The CDP's 32nd Annual Meeting will be held April 25th, 4:30-7:00 pm, at Wellfleet Preservation Hall. Please mark your calendars; invitations will be sent soon.

We are excited about our keynote speaker, Edward M. Augustus, the Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities in Massachusetts. He is the first Housing Secretary to serve in the state in over 30 years and leads the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s pro-housing agenda.

Special thanks to Kerry Insurance Agency and Seamen’s Bank

for their loyal sponsorship of our annual meeting.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Listen here for CDP Housing Resources Manager Talitha Abramsen’s February 6th interview with Ira Wood, producer/host of The Lowdown on WOMR-FM, talking about our work to promote understanding of ADU development on the Lower and Outer Cape.

Thank you for reading and for your support!

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