Lifeline Community Development Corporation Of Merced County

The Loughborough neighborhood faces high crime, gang activity, and concentrated poverty. Our community center provides a safe, welcoming place where over 400 residents annually access vital services-fresh produce, job search and resume support, and mental health resources. Through our after-school program, 15-20 children receive tutoring, STEM learning, and positive social engagement each week. Interns from UC Merced and local colleges mentor youth, helping them develop leadership skills and envision brighter futures. Our free VITA program assists more than 100 families each year, returning thousands in refunds and teaching budgeting skills. Partnering with schools, nonprofits, and faith organizations, we work together to empower neighbors, reduce barriers, and help this community thrive. Our partnership with the probation department in all of our centers helps our young people have access to better lifestyle options and provides opportunities for our youth and adults learn new skills. The AA class as well as other classes, help our neighbors have access to resources to help them address past trauma and move into a better future.

The McNamara Community Center in South Merced provides a safe, welcoming space where neighbors connect, heal, and grow. In partnership with the City of Merced, we offer youth activities that build confidence, teamwork, and leadership. Weekly Marijuana Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings support recovery and provide a pathway to wholeness. Staff and volunteers lead after-school tutoring, literacy development, and job readiness programs, while partnerships with local agencies expand access to food, health, and family resources. Through these efforts, diverse residents-youth, families, and individuals in recovery-come together to strengthen relationships and make South Merced a thriving, united community.

PACT (Probation/Parole and Community Team) LifeLine CDC partners with local Probation and Parole offices to help returning citizens successfully reintegrate into their neighborhoods. Many individuals leaving incarceration lack the resources, relationships, and tools needed for a peaceful and productive reentry. Through monthly one-stop events in Merced and Los Banos, participants and their families can access housing, employment, counseling, and community support services. This collaborative effort helps reduce recidivism, restore dignity, and strengthen community connections. Coaching and Training LifeLine CDC provides coaching and training in Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), a model that focuses on community strengths rather than deficits. This approach recognizes the gifts and potential in every person, regardless of their circumstances. We train nonprofits, government agencies, and community leaders to apply ABCD principles, empowering them to mobilize local assets, build partnerships, and create sustainable change in under-resourced neighborhoods.