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Meet Jason Estremera:

The new executive director of the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation

The Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) is excited to introduce our new executive director, Jason Estremera. Cleveland born, Chicago raised, Jason has spent the last 7 years in community and economic development, driving equitable asset-building in underserved communities. 

Jason’s passion for community service started while working for Chase Bank where he noticed bankers telling the same people “yes” and the same people “no” regarding business loans and financial resources. He was earning his MBA at the time and decided to apply textbook principals to real life, meeting with business owners who were denied access to capital, and assisting them with business plans and financial best practices. Meeting with those business owners changed his life. After graduating with his Masters, he left Chase to take over as the Associate Director for the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development (NEOHCED).

At NEOHCED, Jason introduced innovative solutions to support entrepreneurs, including Cleveland’s first Latino business incubator. Under his leadership, the Center’s Small Business Development Center, business incubator, and open-air market– La Placita– earned statewide recognition and awards.

Jason moved back to Chicago in 2019 to serve the Portage Park community as executive director for the Six Corners Association, and as of Monday March 30th, joined the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation team as executive director.

“It’s not easy to start a new job in the middle of a shelter in place order, but we are already so energized by Jason’s positivity and look forward to the creative and dynamic experiences he will bring to our community,” shared James Rudyk, Executive Director at NWSHC.

Transition in leadership

Julio Rodriguez, former executive director of NWSCDC, is assuming the Director of Community Organizing role at Northwest Side Housing Center:

Dear friends,

It’s been my honor to work as the executive director of the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) for the last year. A big thank you to our board, staff, and residents for their leadership which has strengthened our small business and housing progrms.

We had a lot to celebrate in our first year; from completing the Avenues for Growth plan, to providing workshops and individual consultations to over 120 Latinx small business owners, to instilling a ‘shop local’ culture among our staff and residents.

To be more proximate to residents and to respond to the needs of the community, I will be transitioning to the Northwest Side Housing Center (NWSHC) Director of Community Organizing role to ensure that resident-led work continues to shape policies and community development in Belmont Cragin.

I’m fired up to help build people power through the creation a deep-rooted network of residents who have the organizing and leadership skills to advocate for the resources they deserve. These resources come in a number of ways–– through the creation of community zoning boards and more youth involvement in policy decision-making Through more immigrants accessing legal aid, and more parents having the resources needed to ensure our schools exceed expectations. 

With these community-based tools combined with NWSCDC programming, the Belmont Cragin community will be continue to raise its quality of life.

I am confident the NWSCDC will continue to lead exciting, resident- and small business-led growth in Belmont Cragin.

Yours in community,

Julio Rodriguez
Director of Community Organizing
Northwest Side Housing Center