In honor of International Women's Day, we are shining a light on the contributions women make every day to advance LISC's mission. From staff members to community leaders to the women who reach their personal goals through LISC support and programming, the efforts of these women are what make our organization hum. Read on for a sample of some of that extraordinary work.
Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards Highlight Progress, Positivity
Just last week, Raven Smith, 18, became the youngest recipient of The PrivateBank Norman Bobins Leadership Award at the 23rd CNDA. Now a freshman at University of Missouri, Smith was honored for her creation of “Straight from the Go,” a t-shirt brand and social initiative that aims to change perceptions of Chicago and promote all the great attributes of her hometown.
Bridging the Skills Gap is Key to Employment
Many of the millions of Americans who are still out of work also lack the basic reading, writing and math skills needed to find a job. To bridge that gap, LISC is bringing training programs to its Financial Opportunity Centers (FOC) across the country. A story from Issue Media Group explains how Tawnee McCluskey of Chicago got help to become a welding supervisor so she can now support her family.
LISC DC's Newsome Honored for Decades of Work
Oramenta Newsome, LISC vice president who leads the LISC DC program office, was selected for a distinguished sabbatical program by the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. It is a well-deserved opportunity for personal growth after Newsome’s 20 years of groundbreaking work for LISC in the nation’s capital, noted LISC executive vice president Denise Scott. The sabbatical program also provides professional development support to LISC DC staff.
NEF’s Debbie Burkart Ranks High in the Affordable Housing World
Affordable Housing Finance profiled 10 women who’ve shaped the industry, including NEF’s Debbie Burkart. The piece highlights her work on behalf of homeless veterans and her leadership of Bring Them HOMES. Says Burkart, “It has been important to me, someone who has benefited from a safety net, to build one for others who have not.”