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Portraits of Impact
The Small Business Owners
Small businesses have borne the brunt of the pandemic’s economic fallout. LISC, with support from donors new and old, stepped up to get emergency support out the door to entrepreneurs.
The Community Partner
LISC’s community-based partners, like Native American Connections in Phoenix, AZ, moved mountains last year to safeguard the health, safety, homes and economic survival of clients and residents in the face of the pandemic.
The Executive Director
A silver lining of 2020 was the extraordinary dedication of our staff as we pivoted to meet the challenges of the pandemic. Executive directors of LISC’s local offices, like Charlotte, NC’s Ralphine Caldwell, helped lead the charge.
The Nursing Assistant
LISC’s financial capability and employment programs quickly shifted gears last year to provide services online and address skyrocketing unemployment. And still we celebrated client successes, like that of Guillermina Molina, who landed a CNA job she loves.
The Rural Disaster Response
In the wake of the pandemic and a series of devastating hurricanes, Rural LISC responded with relief grants to entrepreneurs and support for business development organizations, helping buoy a critical rural industry: Louisiana Gulf fisheries.
“2020 was a year of resilience for the LISC staff. The team continued to build our strategy and agenda and assist our communities, all while encountering the impact of the pandemic on their families and loved ones.”
Ralphine Caldwell Executive Director, LISC Charlotte
The Artists
From Alicia Keys to Dan Levy, and from Janelle Monáe to Usher, LISC was grateful for the generosity and public attention these stars brought to our mission and work.
The AmeriCorps Members
In 2020, our 180 AmeriCorps members working with community groups across the country had to shift to new ways of meeting community needs—which, in many cases, were more urgent than ever.
The Board Member
All of our board members share a diversity of expertise with LISC. One of our newest members, Dr. Alisahah Cole, a leader of CommonSpirit Health, is lending her insight in our mutual mission to close the racial life expectancy gap.
“This grant is a huge help, and a validation that what we’re doing is valuable for the society and for the community.”
Laura Barcelo Small Business Owner
The Venture Capitalist
Women of color launch more businesses than any other demographic group in America—but they also have more limited access to capital and business support than other entrepreneurs. LISC and the Atlanta-based Fearless Fund are working to change that.
The Community Safety & Justice Partnership
Throughout a profoundly tumultuous year, dozens of community-led safety partnerships supported by LISC kept lines of communication open and their neighbors involved and as safe as possible. See how this unfolded in Rochester, N.Y.’s El Camino neighborhood.
