A Little More About CHARO Community Development Corp.

The CHARO mission is to be an economic advocate and catalyst to the community; to provide community empowerment opportunities; to provide quality services and to contribute toward the economic and social improvement of our minority community. To achieve this, CHARO promotes economic growth, to meet the needs of businesses and job seekers by providing continuous, high-quality, personalized customer service and leadership in establishing socioeconomic improvement.

The vision of CHARO is to make a positive difference in people’s lives by providing high-quality resources to achieve self-esteem and financial independence.

CHARO programs are designed with three primary goals in mind to create access to capital to create jobs and harness resources and economic opportunities for the low-income communities in which we serve.

CHARO OPERATING DIVISIONS

CHARO Business & Financial Center
The CHARO BFC offers fully integrated multifaceted solutions to new business owners, entrepreneurs, corporations and the community. The BFC is one of the leading SBA-certified intermediaries successfully packaging bank loans for Southern California business owners.

CHARO Business Incubator
The CHARO Business Incubator is a 36,000 sq. ft. shared services facility that promotes business enterprise development within our community by helping young firms survive and grow during the startup period. The Business Incubator will house approximately 40 businesses, including build to suit spaces. 20 spaces are available now.

CHARO Riverside-SBA Women’s Center
Opening a second Women’s Business Center in January of 2006. This second Center offers the same biligual services to assist and benefit small business. Located in the City of Riverside at 1825Chicago Ave., Riverside, CA
Inland Empire Minority Business Development Center - The Inland Empire MBDC, located in Riverside, is a Federally Funded Program by the Minority Business Development Agency U.S. Department of Commerce. The Inland Empire MBDC (Minority Business Development Center) serves as an economic catalyst, providing quality technical assistance, training and loan packaging services to high growth minority business owners in the Inland Empire, Orange County and San Diego areas. All services are provided in a bilingual/bicultural environment.

California Institute of Business Management
Offers skilled business professionals the NxLevel Entrepreneur Training Program. The Program is offered in both English and Spanish. Small business owners learn to prepare a business plan, develop a marketing plan, and complete a financial plan.Two courses are available, one for startup entrepreneurs and an advanced course for entrepreneurs in business 5 or more years.

CHARO Child Development Centers
The Child Development Centers are committed to providing quality childcare for all children, regardless of socioeconomic background or ethnicity. All staff is qualified according to state law, and have education and experience in Early Childhood Education and Child Development. The Whittier facility is licensed for 186 children, ages 2-5, from working and low-income families. Staff is bilingual English/Spanish.

CHARO Research & Development Institute
Serves as a resource bank for CHARO’s operating divisions and CHARO’s small business clients, with emphasis on the minority business sector. It was created to study economics and demographics of the local business community, and to develop successful methodologies for economic solutions and formulas to enhance business growth.

CHARO Mortgage Center
Launched Spring 2003, the Mortgage Center offers loan packaging assistance to individuals seeking to buy a home, refinance an existing mortgage or in need of a home equity line of credit. Services are offered in both English and Spanish.

The Center also coordinates a series of Home Ownership Expos en Español, especially designed for first
time home buyers with a focus on financial literacy.

CHARO Environmental Services
CES, in collaboration with the Department of Water and Power and the Neighborhood Bill Reduction Service, provides products and services to the community to help conserve water and energy.

Facilities Management Division- Established in 2002, FMD is responsible for facility operations, including rent collections and tenant improvements for the Business Incubator.

CHARO Career Center
Weekly, the Center receives over 1,000 new job listings with salaries ranging to $110,000. Jobseekers may access the high-speed Internet computers, fax and copier through the Business Technology lab.