Studio Yogi
Learn how a small business loan from CRF helped Julia Perkins launch Studio Yogi in Chicago.
Read the full story on our website: https://crfusa.com/community-voices/studio-yogi/
Peter Kelly
Digital Communications
Video production, copywriting, email marketing, social media management, fundraising. MA in digital communications and media arts, BA in journalism.
Insight News
Insight News is a weekly newspaper serving the African American community in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. In 2023 the company secured a small business loan from Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) used for working capital.
Collaboration in Action: CDFI Small Business Recovery Fund Summit
Leaders from the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) industry, along with investors, philanthropic supporters, government agencies, and other partners recently came together in the spirit of collaboration for the CDFI Small Business Recovery Fund Summit in Atlanta, GA.
The conference – co-hosted by The Generation Foundation, Calvert Impact Capital, and Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) – provided an opportunity for CDFI stakeholders to analyze recovery funds that were establ
Body Techs Rx Wellness and Rehab Center
Body Techs Rx Wellness and Rehab Center specializes in holistic healing, proactive and recovery care. In 2023, they received a small business loan from CRF used for new equipment, inventory, staffing, and payroll.
Erik's Ranch & Retreats Volunteer Spotlight: SPS Commerce
Volunteers play a critical role in our mission of providing limitless opportunities for young adults on the autism spectrum. Our friends at SPS Commerce support our mission in many ways, and we're beyond grateful for the hard work of a recent group of volunteers they sent to help us clean up the ranch and put it in footings for our new yurt.
Interested in volunteering with us? Please visit: https://eriksranch.org/index.php/volunteer-application/
Why Some Chicago Homeless Choose to Avoid Shelters
On one of the wettest days in more than five years in Chicago, as rain poured in sheets from the sky and flooded the streets below, Raphael Mathis pushed his shopping cart through the mostly empty parking lots at Lake Shore Drive and Lawrence in hopes of finding a customer to offer his services.
“I can’t wash a car in the rain, but at least I’m trying to do something,” Mathis said.
Mercy Home Heroes Spotlight: Amanda Anderson
Without live sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Last Dance was a lifeline for spectators across the globe. While millions were gearing up for the final two episodes of the 10-part docuseries about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty of the 90’s, ESPN Senior Manager of Social Media Amanda Anderson was hard at work behind the scenes.
Like the majority of viewers, Anderson can only dream of reaching the athletic pinnacle that Jordan and the Bulls did. But that hasn’t stopped her from finding her own piece of sports glory. Her championship moments take place on marathon race day.
Lake Street Business Rebuilds from 2020 with Help from Minnesota Inclusive Growth Fund
Lined with diverse storefronts and colorful, cultural murals, the Lake Street Corridor in Minneapolis is vibrant and home to many immigrant-owned businesses.
Among these business owners are Khadija Ali and Priya Morioka, the founders of Global Language Connections. Their Lake Street business aims to a solve a pressing challenge for other organizations: language barriers.
Global Language Connections is a full-service language services company providing over 100 languages for interpretation, tra
Chicago comedy scene continues to thrive
Each night across Chicago, in dark rooms dimly lit by overhead lights and buzzing with laid-back energy, lines are being crossed, traditional values are heaved out the window and sexual innuendos run rampant. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your local comedy scene.
Providing Mental Health Resources for East African Refugees and Immigrants
Since the early 1990s, hundreds of thousands have fled the East African country of Somalia in search of peace due to the civil war. Today, Minneapolis is not only home to the largest population of Somalis in the U.S., it is also home to many refugees from other neighboring East African countries as well.
As individuals immigrate to the U.S., it’s important that they have access to the necessary tools to live successful lives. And it is especially critical that refugees who have endured war, fam
CDFI Success Story: Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina
When Lucero Martinez experienced challenges obtaining a small business loan, she turned to Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), a community development financial institution (CDFI). In working with ACE, Martinez received a loan to expand her business, Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina in Atlanta.
Deandre's Story: Success at Mercy Home Strengthens Father-Son Bond
Growing up, Deandre and his father didn’t have the greatest relationship. Deandre wanted to share life’s special moments with his father, but conversations always led back to his schoolwork.
For Deandre, finding academic success was never easy.
“I used to fail every class, except gym,” he said.
The Effects of Childhood Trauma
At some point in our lives, most of us will have to deal with a traumatic event. Trauma can be difficult for anyone to process, but it can be especially difficult for children. Unfortunately, being exposed to trauma is a way of life for many kids, and takes place in many forms: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence or gun violence. These experiences shape the way a child interacts with the world, and if left untreated, can lead to serious problems now, and in the future.
SOAR Fund Success Story: Pastaholics
When Shaunya Noble experienced challenges trying to obtain a small business loan, her mentor referred her to the SOAR Fund. She entered her information on the Connect2Capital platform and was matched with Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF). She successfully obtained a loan to support her Atlanta-based business, Pastaholics.
To learn more about the SOAR Fund, please visit: https://www.connect2capital.com/p/soar-fund/
2022 CDFI Small Business Recovery Fund Summit
In June 2022, leaders from the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) industry, along with investors, philanthropic supporters, government agencies, and other partners came together in the spirit of collaboration for the CDFI Small Business Recovery Fund Summit in Atlanta, GA.
The conference – co-hosted by The Generation Foundation, Calvert Impact Capital, and Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) – provided an opportunity for CDFI stakeholders to analyze recovery funds that were established to support small businesses throughout the pandemic and discuss growth opportunities for the industry going forward.
Read more about the 2022 CDFI Summit:
https://crfusa.com/collaboration-in-action-cdfi-small-business-recovery-fund-summit/
CRF Celebrates National Small Business Week
In celebration of National Small Business Week, we’re highlighting a few of the small business owners we've worked with across the country. We're grateful for all of the small businesses helping to build vibrant communities!
To learn more about Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) and our mission to improve lives and strengthen communities through innovative financial solutions, please visit crfusa.com.
Lower the rims?
UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma recently sparked an interesting debate when he suggested that rims be lowered by seven inches in women’s basketball.
Auriemma has both critics and supporters on this issue. DePaul head coach Doug Bruno said that not only is he in favor of this idea, he tried to pitch it to Auriemma years ago.
“When I was suggesting it, he would argue with me ‘nah, nah, nah.’ I never realized that my discussions with him were actually swaying him,” said Bruno.
Green Building Materials in the Green Mountain State
When Rob Conboy set off for Germany in 2016, he was in search of technologies that would lower the cost of doing energy-efficient construction projects in the United States. What he found was a product that existed in Europe for decades but hadn’t yet taken off in the states: foam glass gravel.
Foam glass gravel looks like a piece of charcoal and has the texture of a sponge; think of it as a combination between lava rocks and pumice. It is lightweight and made from recycled glass powder. Foam g
Live-In Volunteer Program At Erik's Ranch & Retreats
Live-in volunteers make a tremendous impact in the lives of our members on the autism spectrum. Each week, they spend several hours supporting our mission by leading group activities, assisting our team of life plan coaches, and utilizing their unique talents and strengths.
For more information on our Live-In Volunteer program, please visit: https://eriksranch.org/index.php/volunteer-application/
RuralWorks Partners: Economic Opportunity in Rural America
RuralWorks Partners is an impact investment firm that supports growth stage and transitioning rural businesses and the communities in which they operate. The firm focuses on rural communities where knowledge, networks, and capital can have an impact and unlock long-term value and drive economic growth.
To learn more, please visit ruralworkspartners.com
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