The partnership between Canaan Land Ranch and the ICDC’s New Beginnings Program benefits the community by providing opportunities for community development initiatives through the use of rehabilitative resort facilities and restorative services.  The partnership links and leverages community resources vital to successful innovative joint venture public private colaborations.  As the program continues to develop and grow, it is anticipated that ICDC will be able to provide employment to members of the community in various positions supporting this and other community service-based programs.  Agencies within the collaborative networks of the Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Taskforce and the Faith Based Family Sponsorship Program will be offered Canaan Land Ranch facilities use and partnership opportunities.

Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Taskforce Community Partnerships Committee (Christ Coalition)
Prior to the hurricane evacuee events in San Antonio, Bexar County had become the focus of a child abuse crisis.  In 2004 the crisis led to the establishment of the Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Taskforce.  The Taskforce is made up of numerous public and private agencies dedicated to addressing child abuse in Bexar County.  The New Beginnings Program is a member of the Taskforce’s Community Partnerships Committee, chaired by 288th District Court Judge Lori Massey.  The program is also an active member of the Christ Coalition, a subcommittee of the Community Partnership Committee.  The Coalition is dedicated to work with faith-based organizations to strengthen families and prevent child abuse.  These relationships have created the opportunity to receive court system referrals and establish critical collaborative relationships with various agencies. 

Faith Based Family Sponsorship Program
The recent influx of hurricane evacuees has created a housing deficit and the need for comprehensive restorative integration programs.  The overwhelming need for faith-based disaster relief services prompted the type of services that inspired the faith community to create the Faith Based Family Sponsorship Program (FBFSP) www.icdcorp.org/fbfsp.  The program connects evacuees with local churches for faith-based sponsorships with access to home start up kits, food and clothes at the Children’s Hunger Fund CrownPoint Storehouse.

The program is a partnership between the City of San Antonio’s Office of Community Initiatives, San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA), San Antonio Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (SAVOAD) Mental Health Disaster Consortium (MHDC), FEMA and the Faith Community. 

The ICDC administers the FBFSP and is an active participant of the program in partnership with New Life Christian Center. The program’s success confirms the great need for rehabilitative transitional living facilities and services, like those being built at Canaan Land Ranch.

International Community Development Corporation (ICDC)
The vision of the ICDC is to have a positive impact on the community.  It is dedicated to develop the community through a holistic approach of empowerment and revitalization to include linking and leveraging local, national, and international resources.  Its services benefit the community in the areas of education, community development, and family & social services.  ICDC partners with New Life Christian Center in an Annual Toy Giveaway that provides toys to over 2000 low income and minority children.  Information regarding the New Beginnings Program is regularly distributed to participating families using information they have provided during the Toy Giveaway.  ICDC through its New Beginnings Program is actively involved in impacting the lives of people in need.