Financial Opportunity Center^® National Convening Hosted in Mesa

LISC Phoenix was chosen to assist the LISC Income and Wealth Building team in hosting partners from the Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC) network for the FOC National Convening in Mesa last month. This event focused on the theme "Resilient People, Resilient Communities," addressing key issues such as workforce development, financial coaching, digital equity and environmental initiatives.

After the pre-convening trainings, attendees had the choice of two off-site experiences led by local partners, showcasing the impact of their FOC programs. 

One group went to the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center where Arouet facilitated role-playing scenarios that illustrated the challenges faced by individuals re-entering society after incarceration.

For the other experience, RAIL CDC offered a deep dive into the rich history of Mesa during a bus tour followed by a stop at ArtSpace for a presentation and discussion about RAIL's small business-focused FOC program.

Local Partners were featured throughout the conference from the opening day when LISC Phoenix Local Advisory Committee Chair Lisa Price of Wells Fargo kicked-off the conference and Darryl Slim led a land blessing and opening meditation. 

Conference breakout sessions – led by partners like Live & Learn, RAIL CDC and Baltu Technologies – explored diverse topics, including how financial coaching can empower individuals and small businesses, as well as discussions on workforce collaborations with employers and educational institutions aimed at creating inclusive career pathways in construction, digital fields, and advanced manufacturing. Participants also engaged in conversations about the importance of equal access to technology for community empowerment and discussed the critical role of climate initiatives in shaping workforce health and wealth. The conference wrapped up with a conversation led by LISC Phoenix Program Officer Mariana Torres to encapsulate the learnings from the week. 

The week was filled with valuable networking and learning experiences from community leaders both locally and nationally. We are grateful for the support of the communities and small businesses we serve, and hope it was a memorable experience for all.