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Brooke Charter Schools Students, the New England Patriots & LISC Celebrate a New Athletic Field
Brooke Charter Schools celebrated a new field at the school’s campus in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston with an all student-assembly, representatives from the New England Patriots, staff from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Boston, and community and project partners.
At the event, Sean McKenna, the athletic director, said "At Brooke, the culture is one where kids are excited to come to school. These kids, they want this. They deserve this. We're so, so grateful. It means the world to the kids. They get to play on this every day, practice on it every day, and even just being able to like take part in an event like this is something they'll remember forever."
The students were surprised and excited to see Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, Pat the Patriot and the New England cheerleaders greeting them on their way to the field. The NFL-LISC Grassroots program provides non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with grants to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of football fields in underserved neighborhoods.
This is the 12th NFL field created or renovated in Massachusetts in partnership with the Patriots since the program’s start in 1981. The Request for Proposals is open now. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2022. For more, visit our website.[+]
Webinar: Gambling with homes, or investing in communities? How speculation drives evictions and poor housing quality, and how affordable housing protects neighborhoods of color.
Tenants, organizers, and advocates have long said speculation harms and destabilizes communities of color. Join LISC for a webinar on 5/26 at noon presenting findings from LISC Research and partners in the Bronx, New York on how speculation drives evictions and worse housing quality, and the protective power of affordable housing.
It provides insights useful for communities in Massachusetts and across the country showing links between housing finance and housing justice. Learn more on how the study quantifies how speculation leads to increased evictions, and how affordable housing protects BIPOC neighborhoods. Register [+]
Real Estate Ownership & Opportunities Forum
for Builders of Color
Join the Builders of Color Coalition’s Ownership and Opportunities Forum on Wednesday, 6/8 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. The forum will discuss and analyze opportunities for ownership in commercial real estate ventures and will include a panel discussion comprising middle-market and institutional investors and developers. Discount early bird registration is available for a limited time. Register [+]
Addressing Housing & Climate: an Opportunity of a Lifetime
We have an opportunity to address simultaneously the housing affordability crisis and the climate crisis of increasing incidents of flooding, extreme weather, and deadly heat waves. Members of the HERO Coalition, of which LISC is a member, “urge the Massachusetts Legislature to raise the deeds excise tax – paid when real estate changes hands – to a level comparable with other Northeastern states.” This would “generate $600 million annually for housing and climate investments.” Read the CommonWealth Magazine Op-Ed by Kimberly Lyle, CEO of Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and Joe Kriesberg of MACDC. [+]
Free Financial & Digital Skills Coaching
The Center's upcoming FREE Digital Literacy Training begins June 13th. SPACES ARE LIMITED. Training includes hands on: Computer and Internet Basics; Intro to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Social Media; and Financial and Employment Coaching. Download the flyer [+].
Access Capital for Your Small Business
On May 5th, Small Business Strong held a discussion on lending products for small businesses. Here are a few access-to-capital product offerings:
Mill Cities Community Investments (MCCI)
- Invoice/Contract/Purchase Order Financing: Cash flow financing to support contract execution
- Business Equity Investment Fund: Patient capital that purchases company shares to support growth
Contact Aaron Lackman, aaron.lackman@mccinvest.org, 978-258-2772 ext.18.
LISC Boston
- KIVA: Micro-lending program through online crowd-funding platform offering character based capital with a LISC 1:1 match.
- Small Business Lending: Working capital for home-based and commercial space, with low rates, and possible flexible repayment options.
- Commercial Real Estate Financing: Fund tenant improvements or real estate purchase.
Contact Tina Petigny, tpetigny@lisc.org, 617.410.4339.
Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF)
- Main Categories of Lending: Food, Housing and Worker Cooperatives, Community Land Trusts, and Small Businesses in Communities of Color.
- Competitive rates with flexible terms to meet unique needs.
Contact Chris Hunter, chunter@leaffund.org or click here: how to apply
Help is Available for Merrimack Valley Small Businesses
Merrimack Valley Strong is a small business recovery and resiliency program. It offers free assistance to businesses with no strings attached. It is a partnership between the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Mill Cities Community Investments, and Small Business Strong.
Connect with a Business Advisor today. [+]
ICYMI: Wise Mouth Teas Recovers & Grows
This Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we celebrate Lei Nichols who established Wise Mouth Teas in 2016. When faced with lost sales and legal issues due to the pandemic, Lei turned first to Small Business Strong (SBS) for help. Now, Wise Mouth Teas is ready to resume its growth. [+]
LISC is the Program Manager for Small Business Strong, a non-profit organization that provides expedited, pro-bono support for women and entrepreneurs of color navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses.
Mel King Institute Hosts City Planning Series
& 13th Annual Breakfast
Join the Mel King Institute for their original training series, City Planning in Place: Prioritizing Equity, Racial Justice, and Community. The series which starts May 26th introduces participants to the urban planning field, addresses historical context, and provides tools to tackle today's planning problems. Download the Flyer. [+] Register today. [+]
The 13th Annual MKI Breakfast is coming up on June 23rd. Register now to attend the hybrid event: online at in-person at the Lawn on D. The breakfast supports the Institute to provide the programming community development professionals need to build thriving and equitable communities.[+]
LISC's 2021 Annual Report - A National Perspective
2021 was a year to reconnect, rebuild, renew—and to invest like never before—to help nurture resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across the country. LISC’s 2021 Annual Report highlights the steps along the way.
See the LISC Boston Snapshot showing part of our office’s impact in Massachusetts.
