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A Note from Jay Coburn, President & CEO
June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honor the invaluable contributions of the LGBTQ+ community on the Lower and Outer Cape. In today's climate, it’s more crucial than ever to reaffirm our history, embrace our identities, and stand united in solidarity against the unprecedented wave of legislation attacking LGBTQ+ rights—particularly those targeting transgender youth—and the alarming rise in violence against queer people across the nation.
My journey as an advocate began during my college years in the 1980s, working with Gay People at Cornell University aka GayPAC. I carried my passion to Washington, D.C., where I became deeply involved as an HIV/AIDS activist. It was during the darkest days of the epidemic that I learned one of the most fundamental truths: authentic representation matters. The people served by an organization must be at the center of shaping its mission, strategies, and resource allocation. This belief is at the core of our work here at the CDP.
In December 2024, a diverse, intergenerational, grassroots group of Lower Cape residents—both straight and LGBTQ+—came together to organize the first-ever Lower Cape Pride Celebration. The event will take place the weekend of June 13th, with a lineup of exciting events, including a Pride Parade along Main Street in Orleans on Saturday, June 14th. For more information, visit: www.lowercapepride.org
Witnessing the development of this initiative, particularly outside the historic LGBTQ+ haven of Provincetown, has been incredibly moving and meaningful. Lower Cape Pride is a beautiful reminder that diversity, resilience, and inclusion are vital parts of what make the Lower and Outer Cape a unique and welcoming place. It also reinforces that our strength lies in working together toward a more equitable community for all.
Now, more than ever, it’s vital that we show up, speak out, and support each other. I encourage you to join us in celebrating Pride this June—whether through attending events, spreading awareness, or simply standing with our LGBTQ+ neighbors. Let’s make our voices louder than ever and continue building a future where everyone feels valued and welcomed.
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Jay Coburn
President & Chief Executive Officer
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Town Meeting 2025: A Landmark Year for Housing
Annual Town Meeting season came and went quickly—and what a season it was! Our Housing Advocacy team attended all eight Lower and Outer Cape Town Meetings, where voters tackled critical issues, including budgets, zoning changes, supportive services, and affordable housing.
Key Outcomes:
· $15.7M approved for housing initiatives -- a 62% increase from 2024 of $9.7M
o $6.4M for land acquisition and housing development
o $5.8M in CPA funding for housing initiatives
o $2.7M from Short-Term Rental (STR) taxes
· 58 housing-related articles passed
· 6 towns approved the Seasonal Communities designation
· 7 zoning changes supported housing goals
· Voters continued support for zoning reform and childcare vouchers for families.
We extend our deep gratitude to municipal staff and town officials who work year-round to bring these measures to the Town Meeting floor—and to all the residents who spoke, voted, and helped shape our communities’ futures.
| | Tufts Students Help Rethink Housing on Cape Cod | | |
This past spring, we had the opportunity to partner with graduate students from Tufts University’s Urban & Environmental Planning program on a collaborative research project titled “Changing the Narrative: Affordable Housing on Cape Cod.”
The Tufts students provided:
· A comprehensive overview of affordable housing in our region.
· Insights from research into NIMBYism and effective messaging techniques.
· Interviews with local planners and housing staff.
· Custom-designed advocacy materials to support our future outreach.
This first collaboration with Tufts University’s Urban & Environmental Policy and Planning program was both valuable and rewarding. We’re grateful for the students’ insightful contributions and look forward to future partnerships with such bright, motivated changemakers.
| | Welcome New CDP Team Members | | |
Seth Etienne as our new Community Organizer.
Seth is a Hyannis native, an architecture graduate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and a U.S. Army veteran. During the pandemic, he returned to the Cape, taught Spanish at Barnstable High School, and now serves on the Barnstable Zoning Review and Assessment Committee. Seth is also pursuing a master’s degree in data science at University of Colorado Boulder. Seth’s dedication to learning and civic engagement, combined with his community roots, make him a strong addition to our Housing Advocacy team.
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Deb Martin is our new Advancement Coordinator.
A lifelong summer resident of Harwich Port, who made it her full-time home in 1988, Deb brings deep local ties and a strong background in community engagement. She joins us from Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she worked on the Community Engagement and Recruiting Team. Her previous roles include positions with Cape Cod Healthcare, Eastward Companies, and the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office. Deb holds a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and volunteers with the Family Pantry of Cape Cod. Her long-standing commitment to local nonprofits, youth advocacy, and community outreach makes her a valuable addition to our Advancement team.
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Do you know someone with a passion for small business, a knack for helping others succeed, or a talent for leading high-impact fundraising initiatives? We are currently hiring for two exciting leadership positions, and we need your help to find the perfect candidates!
Manager of Business and Credit Programs
Are you eager to make a direct impact on the success of small businesses? This role will provide one-on-one guidance and lead dynamic workshops to help entrepreneurs on the Lower and Outer Cape start, grow, and thrive.
Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)
Are you passionate about helping to make the Lower and Outer Cape a place where people can live, work, and thrive? This role oversees major gifts, direct mail, event sponsorships, and communications while also advancing new fundraising opportunities like principal gifts, planned giving, and special campaigns.
Both positions offer incredible opportunities to make a difference in our community, from empowering small businesses to securing the future of affordable housing on the Lower and Outer Cape.
| | Help us spread the word and connect with passionate, talented individuals who can make a lasting impact and help the CDP grow and thrive. For more details and to apply, visit our careers page: https://capecdp.org/who-we-are/careers-volunteer | | |
Congratulations CDP Clients!
Our Business & Credit Team of Pam Andersen and Tricia Murray recently attended the SCORE Small Business Awards Breakfast where three CDP clients received a 2025 SCORE Small Business Excellence Award, recognizing their excellence, hard work, and dedication to their communities:
· ARTichoke, nominated by the Eastham Chamber of Commerce
· Wild Water Collective, nominated by the Orleans Chamber of Commerce
· AMZehnder Gallery, nominated by the Wellfleet Chamber of Commerce
We value our partnership with SCORE Cape Cod & the Islands and were proud to sponsor this event celebrating local entrepreneurship.
| | Kate Escher-Jacob and Lizzy Kearing, Founders of ARTichoke, with their 2025 SCORE Small Business Excellence Award. | | | | |
In May, Tricia and Pam (pictured left to right) presented to the Community Opportunity Alliance's Economic Development Peer-Learning Network, a national organization, alongside the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) to share insights into how small business technical assistance (SBTA) is provided across Massachusetts.
| | Shop CDP Clients This Summer! | |
ARTichoke Boutique
4550 State Highway, Rt 6, Eastham
artichokecapecod.com
What started as a DIY apparel hobby in 2011 grew into ARTichoke, a one-of-a-kind boutique by the Escher sisters. After taking their mobile shop “The Castle” on the road to events like Boston Fashion Week and Levitate Festival, they planted roots in Eastham—and the store has been a must-visit ever since. At ARTichoke, you’ll find their signature hand-pulled designs on the softest garments around, plus a curated selection of beachy-boho favorites: jewelry, beauty goods, home decor, and local art.
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Wild Water Collective
85 Route 6A, #1, Orleans
wildwatercollective.com
Wild Water, owned and operated by Mariah Fidalgo, is a vibrant artisan collective specializing in hand-crafted clothing, accessories, and gifts. Wild Water is rooted in a deep passion for celebrating and supporting over 70 unique and diverse artisans, connecting customers not only to beautiful, meaningful products but also to the rich stories and creative spirit behind each piece. With a strong focus on sustainability and social impact, Wild Water proudly uplifts women-led, queer, and BIPOC-created brands, offering goods that are as thoughtful as they are impactful.
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AMZehnder Gallery
25 Bank Street No.3, Wellfleet
amzehnder.com
The AMZehnder Gallery is one of Wellfleet’s favorite galleries run by artist and Wellfleet native Anne-Marie Zehnder. With over 30 years of experience as a ceramic artist, Anne-Marie creates work inspired by organic forms and the natural movement found in nature, beginning each piece with a simple slab of clay. Her gallery is a warm, welcoming space showcasing an exciting mix of fine art and crafts. It also functions as a working ceramic studio and a creative hub for art classes and community engagement.
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Green Road Refill
2655 Main St, Brewster
greenroadrefill.com
Green Road Refill is a retail store offering earth conscious products with the focus on reducing Cape Cod's plastic footprint. Here you can refill over 40 plant-based soaps, shampoos, lotions and cleaning products sold by the weighed ounce. Not only will you be supporting the environment by purchasing fabulous eco-friendly products but you'll also reduce your plastic consumption one bottle at a time! Additionally, the shop sells many of the latest green alternatives in retail from stainless steel straws, and beeswax wraps to reusable produce bags and bamboo toothbrushes. Taking small steps to live a greener life can make a big difference in the health of our planet.
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Chatham Harvesters Coop
Visit their website for how and where to buy
chathamharvesters.com
Looking for the freshest, locally caught seafood? Chatham Harvesters is a cooperative of 25+ local fishing families dedicated to providing high-quality, sustainably sourced seafood while supporting fair wages and minimizing their carbon footprint. They catch, cut, and pack everything themselves, ensuring each fish is treated with care and delivered directly to the community. Plus, with value-added products that reduce waste, you’re getting great seafood at a fair price.
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Be Part of the Solution:
Support Our Work!
Our community is facing important challenges. Housing remains out of reach for many, economic gaps are growing, and small businesses—making up over 80% of our local economy—are feeling the pressure.
But there’s real momentum—and you can be part of it.
Support the Community Development Partnership’s (CDP) work by becoming a sponsor or attending our signature event: Summer Evening on the Farm on August 19th at Greenhouse by the Sea in Orleans. Your support helps fund affordable housing, small business support, first-time homebuyer programs, and more—strengthening our year-round community.
But if event sponsorship or attending Summer Evening isn’t the right fit for you, we welcome general donations at any level.
If you’d like to become a donor, help us reach other possible supporters, or learn more about the CITC program, contact:
Laura Cannata | laura@capecdp.org | 508-290-0126
| | Thank you for being part of our work to build a community where everyone can live, work, and thrive. | | |
capecdp.org
The CDP is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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