One SouthCoast Chamber’s Post

"We are here to work toward a more equitable and just economy and you cannot do that without focusing on the populations most harmed by the system" At Gary Community Ventures' #ASSEMBLE100, Cindy Willard, our Senior Director of Capital Activation, spoke on a panel about the urgency of continuing our work to support wealth-building initiatives in historically underfunded populations —even in light of challenges like the recent Supreme Court ruling against POC-specific funding opportunities. Cindy supported a panel that focused on the Dearfield Fund for Black Wealth, where IC has moved $6M in philanthropic capital to help first-time homebuyers access down payment support—an essential strategy to narrow the racial wealth gap. Watch this short clip from the panel discussion to hear Cindy expand on the opportunities that exist when investing in communities that have been disinvested in for far too long. https://lnkd.in/e_hqW634 #EconomicJustice #WealthBuilding #UnlockOwnership #ImpactCharitable

Had a great time volunteering alongside the Oakland Cemetery Foundation and Wealthy Habits today, a nonprofit that provides financial education workshops and summer camps for local youth! The kids learned about topics ranging from debt and credit cards to taxes, budgeting, and investments - all things I’d wished I’d known more about before graduating high school! And of course, I shared with them about the credit union model, and how they too can join one 😎 #financialeducation #wealthyhabits #youthempowerment

Let's talk about Children 🚸 Children are the most beautiful gifts life offers to families. Their laughter brightens homes, and their potential holds the promise of a better future. Yet, far too often, many children whether from low-income or middle-class families—face barrier. Education is not just a right; it’s a necessity. It’s the foundation that builds confident, empowered, and capacity that build adult. But the reality is that some children don’t have access to this foundation. They sit on the sidelines, watching their peers learn and grow, simply because their families can’t afford the opportunity. This is where we all come in. As an individual or community, we can make a difference. Whether it’s through mentorship, donations, support, or simply advocating for policies that prioritize education, we can collectively shape a brighter future for every child. Imagine a world where every child, regardless of their background, has the tools to succeed. It’s not just a dream—it’s a vision we can bring to life if we work together. Let’s join forces to ensure no child is left behind. Because when we lift a child, we uplift a family, a community, and ultimately, the world. Together, we can make a difference. #right2education #leavenochildbehind

We are excited to announce the launch of ForwardU, a new nonprofit in Rutherford County dedicated to providing individuals and families with the resources and support they need to succeed. Programs available to those in crisis can be time-consuming and overwhelming for people already facing multiple hardships at once. In addition, these programs are often crisis-based solutions and do not focus on long-term solutions for stability. ForwardU provides individual assistance in navigating the many available options for addressing current needs, while also providing tools and education for sustainability. The vision of ForwardU is to create a thriving community where every individual and family achieves well-being and financial stability. We aim to reduce poverty and enhance quality of life through comprehensive, holistic, and tailored one-on-one assistance, including coaching, counseling, goal creation, benefit application assistance, education, and training. We envision a future where everyone has the resources and support they need to succeed. Our mission is to transform lives with personalized support; empowering people, one goal at a time. We are a new non profit, still planning our future, so follow our journey this year as we build our organization and begin providing valuable services to those in our community.

The "Are the Children Well?" report emphasizes growth opportunities within our community to ensure children and families thrive. A critical aspect of achieving this goal is ensuring adults have stable employment and financial security. To address this, our Community Action Plan includes a focused strategy on Workforce Development and Financial Stability. Here’s how you can contribute: - Support the United Way's Financial Stability fund by donating. Your contribution helps nonprofits offer adult education programs. - Back local libraries and community centers that provide job skills and financial literacy courses. - Advocate for expanded employee benefits and resources at your workplace. - Champion workforce training initiatives in high schools.

The Beta Iota Boulé Foundation and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving announced a collaboration to support the mental health of Black boys and men, creating a $1 million dollar impact to nonprofits such as Covenant Preparatory School, the The Amistad Center for Art & Culture, and Blue Hills Civic Association. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ezu5zrWr #mentalhealthawareness

Our 2024 Impact Report is live! This report is a comprehensive look at how your donations and support have transformed lives and empowered over 800 individuals experiencing homelessness. Here are 4 key takeaways: 1. 🫂 To date, through your generosity, DBIP has distributed $10.8 million in guaranteed income, leading to significant milestones in housing stability, financial well-being, and community inclusion. 2. 📚 We saw tons of inspiring stories from our participants, like Kenny Lee’s journey from prison to stable housing to the remarkable advocacy of Moriah Rodriguez, a mother who found hope and opportunity through guaranteed income. 3. 🗞️ Our program saw huge strides in media coverage. We were featured in news publications like The Denver Post and NPR and had a powerful segment on CNN. 4. 💪 As we wrap out 2024, we plan to release our Guaranteed Income Playbook, provide hands-on support and consultation, and strive to launch new cohorts and continue demonstrating the power of guaranteed income. The full report: https://lnkd.in/gUuJxS5X

Understanding the Math of Human Services in Allegheny County: A critical aspect of human services funding often goes unrecognized: local dollars unlock additional support. For every $1 Allegheny County invests, approximately $5 in total services reach our community through state and federal matching funds. This multiplier effect means that budget reductions have outsized impacts on service delivery. A reduction in local funding doesn't just affect county services - it leaves state and federal dollars on the table that could be supporting our community. In real terms, a significant budget reduction would mean: - Closure of all family centers serving 16,000 families - End of specialized support for 1,600 at-risk families with newborns - Elimination of out-of-school programs serving 5,700 youth These aren't just numbers. They represent real families in our community who depend on these services to maintain stability and independence. Source: Allegheny County Department of Human Services Save our services! Call your County Councilmember at 𝟒𝟏𝟐-𝟑𝟓𝟎-𝟔𝟒𝟗𝟎 and tell them to 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐄𝐒 on the 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞’𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 to preserve services in your community. The Pittsburgh Foundation Allegheny County Department of Human Services Auberle GPNP: Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership

#MeetAMember - Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Established in 1984, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has distributed more than $1.4 billion through more than 85,000 grants to the arts, children and youth, economic stability, health and human services, and the environment. Read the Inside Philanthropy Q&A with CEO Ric DeVore, who discusses the foundation’s strategic plan, partnerships, and how his experience in financial services prepared him for his current role. https://bit.ly/3XEIMwy

Jordan* never had a savings account before joining our program. Now, he’s saving and inspiring his family to do the same. This is what financial literacy can do - it is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. This season, your gift can transform a student’s future by giving them the tools to succeed. Join us tomorrow for #GivingTuesday and help us teach financial literacy to more students like Jordan this year. Every gift counts! Text PTAT to 26-989 or visit PlannedToAT.org/#donate to Invest In Tomorrow and Support Financial Freedom for Underserved Youth today! *Name changed to maintain student's anonymity. #InvestInTomorrow #FinancialFreedom #FinancialLiteracy #UnderservedYouth