In the News
2011
HOUSTON HAPPENINGS
NEWSLETTER ISSUE #2
December 2011
Showcasing Houston's History
Independence Heights Re-Discovers its History in the Revitalization Process
Independence Heights is one of Houston’s oldest neighborhoods, as well as one of LISC’s Great Opportunities (GO) Neighborhoods. GO Neighborhoods are designated communities where LISC concentrates resources and programs to support locally driven, resident-led neighborhood revitalization. As the first city in Texas to be incorporated by African Americans, the neighborhood has an especially rich, vibrant history. Independence Heights Redevelopment Council (IHRC), several groups, and church representatives all dedicated to preserving the unique history of Independence Heights have been working together since 2009 within the GO Neighborhoods History Committee. To bring more awareness to the local history and inspire others to participate in the community revitalization, the film Independence Heights Oral History Project: Part I was created.
There is so much historical value within the Independence Heights neighborhood. LISC is proud to support the community leaders' efforts to preserve and honor their history. Embracing the culture and story of a neighborhood is fundamental to establishing a sense of unity. That unity and appreciation fosters social and economic growth and prosperity”, said Amanda Timm, Executive Direction of Houston LISC.
Part one of the Independence Heights Oral History Project film captures stories from community members who were descendents of Independence Heights’ pioneers. It touches upon how the neighborhood formed, grew, and prospered. Focusing on the neighborhood’s past, this film celebrates and pays tribute to the spirit and energy found in Independence Heights. Some of the interviewees in the film were descendents of the Independence Heights’ first mayors and founding fathers from the early 1900s. The film’s director, Rashanique Williams, envisions audiences walking away with not only a better understanding of the neighborhood’s roots, but also more inspired to ask what they can do to revitalize the neighborhood. Rashanique hopes people are motivated to participate in Part II after watching the first film.
The film premier took place on September 15, 2011 at the African American Library. A copy of the film will be available for public viewing at the African American Library beginning in November. A screening for Independence Heights Oral History Project: Part II will also take place in November.
According to Rashanique, the second part of the oral history film series will focus on the neighborhood’s future and how to move forward. Interviews with Independence Heights’ entrepreneurs will share ideas about what the neighborhood needs to regain economic strength.
Ms. Williams was paired with IHRC through the LISC AmeriCorps Program. Every year Houston LISC provides local Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) with an additional staff member to help that organization build capacity in community development. LISC pays for half of the salary of the AmeriCorps member, making it an affordable way for local organizations to grow and develop their programs. The final project for Rashanique’s year of service was the Independence Heights Oral History Project: Part I film. The video tapped into her experience as a producer and provided IHRC an engaging representation of the local history it works to revive.
“Working on this project made me that much more passionate about the neighborhood’s goals. To be welcomed into homes and carried back in time by the families in the neighborhood; the stories shared with me truly enriched my experience as an AmeriCorps volunteer,” said Rashanique.
Capturing the oral history of the neighborhood residents is especially important to preserving the neighborhood’s past, as stories can so easily be lost from generation to generation. “At some point, people stopped talking about where Independence Heights really came from. A lot of people don’t know the history of this once thriving neighborhood,” shared Rashanique. According to Tanya Debose, director of IHRC and a 4th generation Independence Heights community member, there is a disconnect between many of the current residents and the neighborhood itself. She estimates that today, approximately 70% of those who attend church in Independence Heights do not actually live in the neighborhood. Churches are the glue that keep younger generations connected to the neighborhood, as many of those included in that 70% grew up attending church in Independence Heights and continued to do so even after moving away. To address this challenge, each church has a representative in the GO Neighborhoods History Committee, acting as a conduit of information and keeping the church members active and engaged in the neighborhood’s revitalization.
“We all saw GO Neighborhoods as an incredible opportunity to take our efforts to the next level,” said Ms. Debose. “We already had the network of organizations and collaborations in place, but because the History Committee brings us all together at once, we find that there is more harmony in our projects and work, enabling us to be more effective in the revitalization of our neighborhood.”
In the movement to revitalize Independence Heights, community leaders like Ms. Debose, recognized that acknowledging and celebrating the area’s rich history is the first step towards successfully realizing that goal. The oral history project film is only one piece of a larger historic preservation initiative. The History Committee’s other projects include the compiling of a photo, artifact and documentation collection, landmarking of historic homes and buildings, and restoring the area’s older homes.
With these projects, the neighborhood can accomplish its goals of restoring local historic values, obtaining historic designation at state and national levels and establishing a cultural arts museum. A comprehensive set of the neighborhood’s goals are outlined in their Quality of Life Agreement (QLA), which is available on www.go-neighborhoods.org. Independence Heights and Northside created a QLA during the first year following the 2009 GO Neighborhood’s program launch. In the QLA, community members prioritized their revitalization efforts by identifying what they want and need most for their neighborhood in the areas of education, economic development, health, housing, cultural preservation, and safety. LISC provided Independence Heights with leadership training and financial resources to create the QLA and complete several early action projects. In partnership with LISC and GO Neighborhoods, Independence Heights has the opportunity to expand and advance its existing efforts and restore the unique history of this community.
Donor Profile: Bank of America
Bank of America actively engages national and local community organizations, such as LISC, in the areas of consumer advocacy, affordable housing and community development to address the needs of the underserved. Since 2005, they have convened a National Community Advisory Council specifically for this purpose. This group, including LISC CEO Michael Rubinger, has advised the bank in areas such as regulatory reform, consumer product policies, retail banking and home loan strategies for low-income neighborhoods.
Since 1980, Bank of America and LISC have shared a commitment to promote community development and economic revitalization programs in underserved communities. Bank of America has invested in LISC and its affiliates through charitable grants, loans, equity investments, and bonds that bridge financing. Most recently, Bank of America made a commitment to the Building Sustainable Communities initiative, currently supporting National LISC and 21 LISC regions, including Houston.
“With Bank of America’s support, Houston LISC has been able to engage local leaders, build partnerships, and support resident-led plans to revitalize Northside and Independence Heights, our two GO Neighborhoods. LISC brings philanthropic support from corporations and foundations to Houston, to transform communities into healthy places for families to live, work and grow,” said Amanda Timm, Executive Director of Houston LISC. “Bank of America’s partnership with Houston LISC has helped us catalyze our investment in the GO Neighborhood program and will help us grow into a third Houston neighborhood in 2012.”
Bank of America recognizes LISC as a valuable partner in expanding and enhancing their ability to serve low-income communities through affordable housing development, lending for community facilities and the delivery of other products and services. For example, LISC provides effective programs and tools—including its loan fund and tax credit syndicating subsidiary – the National Equity Fund (NEF) – which helps a private sector company like Bank of America to serve neighborhoods and constituencies it otherwise might not reach.
Bank of America supports communities across the globe through charitable giving, community development lending and investing in underserved neighborhoods and environmental initiatives. The Bank’s Community Volunteers, led by its dedicated employees, also strengthens the economic and social health of local communities by participating in a variety of projects focused on education, health and human services, community development, arts, and the environment.
“As a global financial institution, the most significant impact we have on both the people and communities we serve is through our lending, our investing and our philanthropic giving. Our practices, policies, programs and actions in these areas are also the most material to our business as a sustainable enterprise and a responsible company,” said Andrew Plepler, Bank of America Corporate Social Responsibility and Consumer Policy Executive.
Over the years, Bank of America and LISC have created significant impact in developing affordable housing and revitalizing communities through mixed-use development, creating community facilities and focusing on smart growth, transit oriented, and “green” sustainable development. Now more than ever there is a great need to support underserved communities and promote strong private-nonprofit partnerships for community revitalization. Together, Bank of America and LISC will continue this important work for many years to come.
AmeriCorps: An Experience that Promotes Sustainable Communities and Self Discovery
LISC AmeriCorps is a national program administered by the Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS). LISC AmeriCorps mission focuses on helping community based organizations help themselves through the added staff resources of an AmeriCorps member. The AmeriCorps members act as a connection point between the community organization in which they are placed and the local residents who work to revitalize their neighborhoods. LISC’s mission is to help promote sustainable communities by assisting community based organizations through various forms of funding and technical assistance. LISC AmeriCorps program is one way to help build the capacity of local nonprofits. With this part-time or full-time staff member paid for in part by LISC, the community based organizations can test and expand new programs to better serve clients and make a bigger impact in their field.
In 2010, Avenue CDC was awarded an AmeriCorps member, Gina DeLeon, to help strengthen neighborhood groups in Houston’s Northside neighborhood. During her service year DeLeon managed to work successfully with many neighborhood groups to set various goals and plans on improving the neighborhood’s quality of life while also hosting major events to promote projects within the neighborhood. DeLeon worked closely with Northside’s GO Mobility team to host an event, “The Light Rail Summit”, which allowed residents and stakeholders a chance to see how mobility projects will help make the neighborhood safer. Representatives from Metro and various elected officials attended the event to promote a more mobile community to the residents of Northside. DeLeon successfully pulled off this and other events throughout her year of service which allowed Avenue CDC to make its presence more widely known to the Northside community and gain the support of more residents.
“The AmeriCorps program is about cultivation at the agency, community, and individual level,” say Berenice Tostado, Program Officer at LISC. “Gina’s a great success story and an example of how this program impacts the community over the long term. She’s now been hired by Avenue CDC, the agency where she served as an AmeriCorps member, and is now helping them develop affordable single-family housing.”
The AmeriCorps program was first implemented in Houston in 2004 with eight AmeriCorps Members serving at eight different non profit agencies. The program proved to be successful and LISC has continued to grow the AmeriCorps program. Since inception, 85 people have participated as AmeriCorps members at 26 different placement sites throughout Houston. Amanda Timm, Executve Director of Houston LISC, strongly supports AmeriCorps and the positive affect it has on our partner agencies. “AmeriCorps members wear many different hats during their year of service. Their staff support enables our partner organizations to do more and serve the community on a larger scale,” says Timm. As part of their service, members play a number of different roles, from community organizing and homebuyer counseling to income support and volunteer management. They gain experience while also acquiring the skills needed to further their careers in community development.
LISC also provides the AmeriCorps members an opportunity to work within the communities through various service projects during their year of service. Last year, the AmeriCorps members teamed up with the Boy Scouts to plant seeds and vegetable beds at Magnolia Roots Community Garden on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Service projects like these allow members to connect to one another and become actively involved in community-based projects, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate team building and learn new skills.
LISC believes the AmeriCorps program is a unique resource which enables LISC to help community based organizations not only increase their staff size and capacity but also helps local organizations fulfill their mission. The AmeriCorps program also helps train the next generation of community leaders and nonprofit professionals. The AmeriCorps program has made a lasting impact for organizations and neighborhoods throughout Houston and LISC looks forward to maintaining that tradition for many years to come.
BBVA Compass Partners with LISC
Investment of $15,000 in LISC will be used to Increase Financial Stability in Houston Communities
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 28, 2011 - The BBVA Compass Foundation granted $15,000 to the Houston office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in support of the organizations' shared goals of promoting Community Development and Financial Literacy. LISC, with the help of BBVA Compass' funds, will continue to build family income and assets through skill-building workshops and personalized financial guidance for families in Houston's low-income neighborhoods.
Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs) serve as LISC's key program addressing community financial literacy and workforce development in Houston. The Centers follow a model that has been proven to effectively deliver the financial information and tools needed by economically disadvantaged communities. Specifically, the FOCs focus on issues related to low credit scores, high-interest loans, lack of savings, and limited understanding of financial institutions - all of which hinder healthy, positive growth for individuals, families and neighborhoods.
"We are proud to partner with LISC and to support their mission to help families and communities repair and understand their finances," said Rey Ocanas, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Reputation for BBVA Compass. "We understand providing financial support and guidance is crucial to building strong communities. With this grant, BBVA Compass hopes to help families succeed financially and to achieve their goals."
In 2011, LISC trained 35 people from 26 different organizations in Financial Coaching. [In this photo] First cohort graduating from training in February 2011.
In Houston, each of the six Financial Opportunity Centers is housed within an established community nonprofit, such as SER Jobs for Progress and the Chinese Community Center, and offers local residents the tools and services they need to thrive financially. The Garcia's, a family aspiring to become homeowners, understood that they needed to repair their credit, but also knew that businesses claiming to instantaneously fix credit for 'small fees' were costly and unreliable options. Referred to the Financial Coach with the Northside FOC at the Wesley Community Center, the Garcia's could work with a professional on their personal financial planning at no cost.
During the first several months of their work with the FOC, the Garcia family's credit score improved by an impressive 85 points, an increase facilitated by access to a credit building loan that the couple managed effectively with the support of their coach. With the services and tools the Northside FOC provided, the Garcia's not only had the money and the credit score they needed to become homeowners and build their assets, but also had a positive experience in managing debt, their credit, and their budget.
"When someone reaches their financial potential, it can have a lasting impact on the futures of their family and community. BBVA Compass' support helps us to increase accessibility to those game-changing financial opportunities for the communities that need it most," said Amanda Timm, Executive Director of Houston LISC.
Financial stability is a key ingredient to creating a sustainable community. Each Financial Opportunity Center fosters financially sound decision-making and helps individuals achieve employment goals. The Centers also strengthen the foundation of the neighborhood, the residents, allowing it to grow and prosper. LISC and the BBVA Compass Foundation recognize the strong link between financial literacy and neighborhood quality. The Financial Opportunity Centers provide a comprehensive solution that bridges the gap between a family's financial stability and Houston's economic opportunity.
About LISC
LISC combines corporate, government and philanthropic resources to help community-based organizations revitalize underserved neighborhoods. Since 1980, LISC has raised more than $9 billion to build or rehabilitate more than 230,000 affordable homes and develop 32 million square feet of retail, community and educational space nationwide. For more information, visit www.lisc.org.
About BBVA Compass Foundation
The BBVA Compass Foundation supports community organizations looking to creatively address their local needs and opportunities. The six focus areas of The BBVA Compass Foundation include: Community Development (with Financial Literacy), Education, Public Health, Arts & Culture, the Environment, and Diversity & Inclusion. Each area has specific priorities that the Foundation targets its funding to. Learn more about the foundation at www.bbvacompass.com/foundation.
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2011
HOUSTON HAPPENINGS
NEWSLETTER ISSUE #1
JULY 2011
2011 has been a year of growth for Houston LISC; from opening four additional Financial Opportunity Centers to building relationships with innovative partners like KIPP. We are now focusing on creating new opportunities to share our work with the world. Our hope is that you will enjoy these stories that both highlight our role in the community and exemplify the fantastic work of our partners.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION UNVEILS COMMUNITY MURAL
Local families paint mural to draw attention to community garden and neighborhood history
LISC provided a $5,000 grant to help Texans Together and the Museum of Cultural Arts Houston (MOCAH) design and install a twelve-panel mural in Magnolia Park. The mural, appropriately debuted on Earth Day, was meant to draw local residents’ attention to the Magnolia Roots Community Garden and educate them about opportunities for neighborhood engagement. The panels were painted at MOCAH studios and the exhibition was installed at the Magnolia Roots Community Garden.
Magnolia Park is one of the oldest Hispanic neighborhoods in Houston. Many of the early residents were fleeing the Mexican Revolution and eventually settled in Magnolia Park. The mural reflects the rich history of the 100 year old community, from family life to its history of political activism. “When I see the man with the guitar, I see my dad. The woman in the kitchen is my mom. The kid with cap and gown makes me think of my kids who have graduated. It makes me take in all of the things we've done,” says Carmen Garcia, a Magnolia Park resident who knows the impact a project like this can have on her community. “It’s a blessing for the neighborhood to receive something like this. It explains what we are all about to the children of the neighborhood.”
The diversity of the neighborhood is also reflected in the mural’s panels, along with hope for a healthy future where residents can enjoy the fresh produce that they grow themselves. “This is the one place where the past meets the future, on a common ground,” reflected resident Janie Herrera.
In addition to providing funding for the community garden and the mural project, LISC also paid for Americorps member Rob Block to work at Texan’s Together. There, Rob worked with the Magnolia Roots neighborhood committee to coordinate the painting of the mural and organize the grand opening. “The project was a huge success, in part because it brought new folks from the neighborhood into the space. The murals have also brought a lot of positive attention to the garden.” The hope is that this new notoriety will help engage residents and motivate them to address other neighborhood issues, like childhood obesity and access to green space for recreation.
As part of LISC’s Americorps program, nonprofit organizations in targeted neighborhoods receive a full-time Americorps employee to help with community organizing. The salary of Americorps members is paid for by LISC with the goal of helping the nonprofit and community leaders build their capacity and eventually become a Great Opportunities (“GO”) Neighborhood. As a LISC GO Neighborhood, the community has priority access to grants, technical assistance, training, and loan funds from LISC. GO Neighborhoods is a locally-led, nationally supported initiative that is currently active in two Houston neighborhoods – Northside and Independence Heights. LISC will expand its GO Neighborhood program to a third Houston neighborhood later this year.
To see photos from the Earth Day Mural Unveiling, click here.
LISC helps resident-led, community-based development organizations transform distressed communities and neighborhoods into healthy sustainable ones-- good places to live, do business, work and raise families. By providing capital, technical expertise, training and information, LISC supports the development of local leadership and the creation of affordable housing, commercial, industrial and community facilities, businesses and jobs. We help neighbors build communities.
DONOR PROFILE: WELLS FARGO BANK
Wells Fargo Bank has been a long-time supporter of LISC – nationally and locally. Over the last several years, the bank has provided LISC with loans and grants to support affordable housing and community development. Locally, Wells Fargo has supported Houston LISC through grants and team member volunteer efforts. In fact, Wells Fargo Community Development Manager Laura Jaramillo has served on the LISC Local Advisory Council (LAC) for five years. She is now the Chair of the LAC and a strong advocate of LISC’s work in the region.
“We direct our giving to areas that we believe are important to the future of our nation's vitality and success: community development, education, and human services,” says Glenn Godkin, Wells Fargo regional president—Greater Houston. “LISC’s programs support all three of our key areas of focus, making the organization a great partner for Wells Fargo.”
In 2011, Ms. Jaramillo and Mr. Godkin presented LISC with a $100,000 check to support the Financial Opportunity Centers (“FOCs”). These FOCs are career and personal financial service centers that focus on the financial bottom line for low-to-moderate income individuals. This means changing people's financial behavior in a way that encourages them to make a long-term commitment to increasing income, decreasing expenses and acquiring assets.
The FOC mission to help families build a more secure financial future is closely aligned with Wells Fargo’s corporate values. “We want to help all of our customers succeed financially and create long-term economic growth and quality of life for everyone in our communities,” Godkin said. “Like LISC, we promote economic development and self-sufficiency through community development, financial education, cash contributions, affordable housing, environmental stewardship, and through the efforts of our enthusiastic team member volunteers.”
Thanks to support from partners like Wells Fargo Bank, LISC was able to grow its centers from two to six Houston locations. “With this grant support from Wells Fargo, we can leverage public and private dollars to expand our local centers to help even more people meet their educational and financial goals,” says Amanda Timm, Executive Director of LISC. “Partnerships like these help us take our local impact to scale, creating a more vibrant city for all Houstonians.”
The FOCs are different from the traditional financial education model. Each FOC is built on an existing hub of community activity. Trusted agencies, like Volunteers of America or the Chinese Community Center, with a history of exemplary service, are the platforms for each FOC. At every Center, employment and financial counselors work in tandem to help participants maximize their chances of financial stability. The program measures success by changes in participant income, expenses, assets and liabilities over time.
Maria can attest to the impact FOCs can have on family financial stability. As a client of the Wesley Community Center FOC in Northside, she came to the center to get help when her hours at her job as a security guard were cut. Maria’s goal was to get a GED and make additional income to support her one-year-old child. She met with financial and career coaches to build a budget, review her credit score, discuss her employment history, and develop a plan for attaining her GED. The FOC career coach also helped her work on strategies to request more hours at work. Maria succeeded in getting her hours increased from 20 to 35 hours per week, growing her salary and enabling her to move towards her financial and educational goals.
These results inspire confidence in partners like Wells Fargo. “We share our success within our communities by giving back to non-profits and educational institutions that address vital community needs and issues,” said Godkin. “We feel that LISC is one of the best nonprofits in Houston that focus on housing, increasing financial success and workforce development.”
Independence Heights Residents Rally to Save Cherished Neighborhood Resources
LISC congratulates IHRC on their successful advocacy
Thanks to a $350,000 donation from oil companies Marathon Oil and ConocoPhillips, many of Houston's families and youth will still have a safe place to go this summer to swim and stay out of the heat. The donation saves eight city pools, scheduled to open July 1, and seven community centers, which will open a few days later on July 5. For north Houston neighborhood Independence Heights, the save comes as a double relief, as it was the only neighborhood scheduled to lose both a pool and a community center.
The donation, which was announced by U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Mayor Annise Parker, is a prime example of the important role private-sector businesses can play in communities. These pools and centers are more than just recreational facilities the neighborhoods can enjoy: they help save lives and futures by providing safe, supportive environments for children without the threat of drugs, gangs, or crime. Darren Smith, a resident of Independence Heights, notes that without the community center, the only other place to hang out is “the dope house.”
Houston LISC has long been an advocate of sustainable community development, recognizing the need to provide neighborhoods with safe gathering places where citizens can develop the social cohesion that is so important to building sustainable communities. As part of helping our pilot GO Neighborhoods program in Independence Heights gain more exposure, Councilman Ed Gonzalez and LISC co-hosted a neighborhood bus tour of the community on June 9, 2011. LISC’s Executive Director Amanda Timm explained the early action projects that LISC and IHRC have worked together to complete. Tanya Debose, Executive Director of the IHRC, educated the dozens of attendees, including local elected officials and city agency representatives, about opportunities for public-private partnerships to address neighborhood needs, such as additional affordable housing and increased recreation space.
“The GO Neighborhoods program is all about building the capacity of local residents to advocate for their community needs,” said Ms. Timm. “Residents of Independence Heights clearly stated in their Quality of Life Agreement and to public officials that the community needs more recreational space and opportunities for healthy living. That’s why this public-private partnership is such a victory for the neighborhood. It proves that with support of elected officials and creative partnerships with local businesses, residents can make their neighborhoods better.”
LISC is proud to work in Independence Heights and is grateful to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Mayor Annise Parker, Councilman Ed Gonzalez, Marathon Oil and ConocoPhillips for their help in keeping the pool and community center available to residents. Through increased public-private partnerships like this one, residents, business leaders, and elected officials can work together to ensure that all Houstonians live in neighborhoods where they are proud to live, work, do business, and raise families.
Congratulations to Avenue CDC for Completing their 100th Affordable Home in Houston
Avenue Community Development Corporation (Avenue CDC) is hitting two milestones at once- building its 100th home and celebrating its 20 year anniversary. LISC is proud to partner with Avenue CDC on affordable housing developments and in our GO Neighborhoods program.
LISC Welcomes Summer Intern Joanna Zheng
From Yale University to Houston, Texas, Joanna Zheng has dreams of making a big impact in community development. She's already on the way to reaching her goal and has written an Op Ed that was recently published in the Houston Chronicle. Interested in interning at LISC? Stay tuned for more information.
Grant Update:$50,000 Awarded to Local High School
LISC, NFL, and the Houston Texans have teamed up to award a $50,000 grant to Jefferson Davis High School in Northside to improve their football field.
NEWS
Nonprofit Financial Centers Open in Houston
New York (March 1, 2011)--nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corp. has opened four financial opportunity centers in Houston.
The organization, which established a Houston presence in 1989, helps community residents transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy and sustainable communities.
LISC is using a $600,000 award from the White House’s Social Innovation Fund to open the centers.
They are expected to help more than 800 families annually across the Houston area to find jobs, reduce debt, increase financial skills and acquire financial assets towards an ultimate goal of long-term financial stability.
2010
LISC taps 47 nonprofits for Social Innovation Fund grants to expand Financial Opportunity Centers in 10 metro areas
NEW YORK (December 16, 2010)--The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has announced grants to 47 community organizations as part of its federal Social Innovation Fund award to establish and expand Financial Opportunity Centers in 10 metropolitan areas. The grants are expected to help more than 25,000 families find jobs, reduce inappropriate debt, gain financial literacy and build assets.
LISC currently supports 33 Financial Opportunity Centers in low-income communities across the country. For details about LISC's 47 SIF grantees, please visit http://www.lisc.org/2011_sif_awardees.
LISC, Community Groups Present Neighborhood Revitalization Plans to
Mayor for Northside and Independence Heights
HOUSTON (October 14, 2010)‐‐ The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) along with its lead community
partners from Avenue CDC in Northside and Independence Heights Redevelopment Council (IHRC) in
Independence Heights will today present neighborhood revitalization plans to Mayor Annise Parker during an
event focused on creating a healthier future for both areas. The comprehensive plans focus on LISC's five Building Sustainable Communities goals.
Download the Quality of Life Agreements for Independence Heights and Northside.
Social Innovation: Let's hear those ideas
In America and Britain governments hope that a partnership with “social entrepreneurs” can solve some of society’s most intractable problems
Policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic are keen on a new approach to alleviating society’s troubles. On July 22nd Barack Obama’s administration listed the first 11 investments by its new Social Innovation Fund (SIF). About $50m of public money, more than matched by $74m from philanthropic foundations, will be given to some of America’s most successful non-profit organisations, in order to expand their work in health care, in creating jobs and in supporting young people (see table).
Social Innovation Fund Awarded to LISC for expansion of Financial Opportunity Centers
Obama Administration has awarded LISC a $4.2 million grant from its ground-breaking Social Innovation Fund 
(SIF) to support the expansion of our growing network of Financial Opportunity Centers. These centers are a critical component of our Building Sustainable Communities approach to revitalizing disadvantaged neighborhoods.
LISC was the only community development organization selected for SIF funding, and we couldn't be prouder to be among this first class of 11 grantees. Our SIF grant will help support new and expanded Financial Opportunity Centers in Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Duluth, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Citi Foundation and LISC Team Up to Help Low Income Families Build Income and Assets
Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit announced today that Citi has joined forces with the 
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to support an innovative financial
counseling and empowerment program that helps low-income families increase their incomes, build long-term assets and raise their standards of living.
“Our goal is to help struggling neighborhoods become better places to live, work, do business and raise families”
The Citi Foundation is providing $1 million to help LISC expand its network of Financial Opportunity Centers to underserved neighborhoods in Houston, San Diego and Newark to increase the economic prospects of local residents. The grant is also benefiting an ongoing program in Chicago.
Financial Opportunity Centers come to Near Northside in Houston, Texas
A new Financial Opportunity Center is opening in the Near Northside neighborhood, 
helping with one-one-one;financial counseling and coaching, financial workshops and
employment services. This is the first Financial Opportunity Center to open in the
Houston area.
Wesley Community Center (located at 1410 Lee Street, 77009) leads a collaborative of
partners to deliver and implement the essential services.
2008
Press Release: Home Depot awarded LISC Houston $700,000 to support families devastated by Hurricane Ike.