Rooted in the community we serve
Community Development Center is based in Saint Paul and works with adults across the Twin Cities who are living with mental illness — helping them build independent living skills and find stable housing, one person at a time.
Independence, built skill by skill
We believe independence isn't a single milestone — it's a set of everyday skills and a stable place to build them from. Our team works one-on-one with adults with a qualifying mental health diagnosis, focusing on rehabilitative, skills-based support rather than clinical treatment.
We partner with — rather than replace — each client's existing treatment team, and we work closely with counties, housing authorities, and other providers so that support doesn't stop at our door.
What guides our work
- Respect. Every client directs their own goals.
- Consistency. Regular, reliable one-on-one support.
- Collaboration. We work alongside treatment teams, counties, and housing partners.
- Practicality. Skills that hold up in daily life, not just on paper.
Why we started
Community Development Center was founded in December 2023 by Bishar Yusuf, following the sudden loss of his brother, Mustafa. That loss made clear how easily people can fall through the cracks of a system that too often moves too slowly — and it became the reason Bishar decided to build something rooted in compassion, follow-through, and genuine care for the people it serves.
Bishar was already working in ARMHS at the time, while continuing his own education, so he started the way he believed the work should start: by volunteering in the community to understand what support was actually needed. That groundwork became Community Development Center. Since 2024, the program has grown to serve more than 100 clients, working alongside counties and community partners to help people build stability — including people facing substance use challenges — every step of the way.
The people behind the work
Bishar Yusuf
Founder & Program Manager. Bishar founded Community Development Center in December 2023 and leads the program today. Before starting CDC, he worked directly in ARMHS services while completing two bachelor's degrees — in Supply Chain Management and Management Information Systems — and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Cybersecurity. He stays closely involved with clients, staff, and the counties and partners CDC works with every day.
Brenna Macdonald
Clinical Supervisor. Brenna holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, with an emphasis in clinical mental health and children & families. She has spent several years providing clinical supervision to ARMHS practitioners — including a caseload specializing in service delivery to Somali elders — reviewing clinical notes, treatment plans, and diagnostic assessments. Her background also includes emergency mental health work with Hennepin County and school-based clinical and district-wide student support roles.
Join our growing team
We're actively hiring as our program continues to grow — see our current openings for ARMHS and front-desk roles.
See Current Openings