NEW: Job Opportunity and Skills Centers Open In Providence

Thursday, April 21, 2011

GoLocalProv Business Team

Four Financial Opportunity Centers designed to assist more than 450 local families to find jobs, reduce and manage debt, gain financial literacy skills and build assets so they can achieve financial independence were launched today in Providence.

The centers, located at Amos House, Dorcas Place Adult and Family Learning Center, the Providence Housing Authority and The Genesis Center, were developed by the Rhode Island Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). LISC’s President & CEO Michael Rubinger was joined by Rhode Island’s congressional delegation, R.I. General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras to celebrate the launch.

“Financial Opportunity Centers are a part of a comprehensive program to assist individuals and families improve their financial standing,” said Jeanne Cola, RI LISC Local Advisory Committee chair. “The results at Centers like these that are already up and running around the country are significant. We know that with the right tools, families can build their incomes and their assets in ways that have a long-term impact on their quality of life.”

The Financial Opportunity Centers were made possible by a national award from the Corporation for National and Community Service's Social Innovation Fund, a $4.2 million program designed to establish and expand similar centers in 10 metropolitan areas nationwide. National LISC awarded Rhode Island $496,000 in grants for the local Centers, matching funds are being provided by The Walmart Foundation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the City of Providence, Making Connections Providence, Bank of America, and United Way of Rhode Island.

Teaching for the Future

“Teaching families how to attain long-term financial security allows them to plan for the future,” added Nancy Howard, Senior Program Officer at RI LISC. “By bringing Financial Opportunity Centers into the neighborhoods, we are raising standards of living in ways that benefit local business, help stabilize the neighborhood housing market, impact kids and schools, and more.”

The Financial Opportunity Centers are part of RI LISC’s “Our Neighborhoods” initiative to help residents transform their distressed neighborhoods into places of choice and opportunity. Our Neighborhoods recently celebrated its first anniversary in Olneyville and the Fairmont/Constitution Hill neighborhoods in Woonsocket. For the past 20 years, RI LISC has invested in housing, quality childcare programs and facilities, economic development and groundbreaking partnerships with local police departments.

“Thanks to the Social Innovation Fund and our local funding partners, more Rhode Island families will have the chance to stabilize their financial outlook and create their own opportunities for growth,” said Michael Rubinger, national LISC President and CEO.

LISC currently supports 33 Financial Opportunity Centers in low-income communities across the country.

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