A healthy community isn’t just about access to high-quality, reliable health care. Individuals and families also need access to good jobs, opportunities to build wealth, and thriving, locally-owned businesses. Kaiser Permanente understands how economic factors can shape well-being, especially in communities of color that often don’t benefit from regional or national prosperity. Learn how LISC is collaborating with Kaiser Permanente to support locally-driven strategies that spark economic growth in under-invested places.

McGowan will draw on her long experience fueling systems change as she spearheads LISC’s work to support affordable housing, small businesses, health, education, community safety and jobs throughout the region.

With a new grant from Umpqua Bank, LISC is working with local organizations in three states to fuel equitable homeownership opportunities in low-to-moderate income communities, especially for people of color. "This kind of capacity-building support is like oxygen for nonprofits, and we are so grateful to Umpqua for recognizing the value of flexible funding for racial equity in homeownership,” said LISC President Denise Scott.

Not really a top ten, because we heard and told so many great stories this year—of challenges overcome and impact made—that it would be impossible to pick that few. But here is a selection of our favorites from 2022 (okay, ten) in words, pictures and social media characters. They help narrate some of what happened over the past 12 months, and we think they're too good to miss!

The diverse immigrant community around Casino Road on the south side of Everett, WA, has some tough issues to confront, including how to make its voice heard in regional economic development. But after more than two years of Covid hardship, what people needed was a chance to gather, relax, and rejoice. Their carnival made the work of community organizing feel like a party.

Nikita Mathis, who started selling fashion from the trunk of her car before opening a boutique 20 years ago, and Talya Miller, who developed a love for cooking soul food during her years as an emergent care foster parent, are two women entrepreneurs whose drive and generosity serve as an inspiration to others in their South Seattle community. With support from the U.S. Bank Access Fund, LISC and our on-the ground partner – HomeSight – helped both business owners recover from the pandemic and position themselves for the new economy.