El Pájaro Community Development Corporation is driven by its mission to promote equal access to economic opportunity. To fulfill this mission, the CDC is a leader in the following technical assistance programs serving low-income entrepreneurs:

Plaza Vigil Business Incubator Program
Started by El Pájaro CDC in 1995, the Plaza Vigil Business Incubator Program is a model of successful incubation of 16 retail businesses owned and operated by low-income, Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. Located in downtown Watsonville, Plaza Vigil is a thriving retail shopping plaza. Come visit!

Microenterprise Assistance Program
In an effort to increase the financial independence of local residents receiving cash assistance through welfare, the County of Santa Cruz Human Resources Agency asked El Pájaro CDC to design and implement a training program to assist welfare clients to determine whether they might be a match for self-employment and to provide training to motivated clients. Under this program, the CDC has assisted more than 75 potential entrepreneurs to develop the skills necessary to be successful small business owners.

ChildCare Ventures Program
In collaboration with four community partners, El Pájaro CDC developed a comprehensive program designed to strengthen the child care sector in Santa Cruz County. El Pájaro CDC is responsible for the design and implementation of several workshops in Spanish and English intended to assist family day care providers to become more successful businesses. The CDC also provides follow-up individual technical assistance to workshop participants, including assisting with preparation of loan applications for family child care home refinancing and equipment purchase.

Incubator Without Walls Entrepreneurship Program
El Pájaro CDC offers training and technical assistance services to entrepreneurs throughout the Pájaro Valley. Call today if we can help you be more successful with your business idea!