|
Greetings!
Do you like caller id, touch tone phones and fiber optics? Thank Dr. Shirley Jackson, preeminent theoretical physicist and famous Black inventor. Feel more secure with your home security system? Thank Marie Van Brittan Brown, who invented closed circuit TV because of the slow response of police officers in 1969 to help people ensure their own security. You probably take crop rotation and nitrogen fixing plants for granted, thanks to George Washington Carver.
The arrival of February reminds us to contemplate the accomplishments of African Americans. Their contributions to civilization are boundless. Our appreciation must last more than a month, and needs to be characterized by our own reflections on the White history of racism and what it has cost us as a nation. What has not been accomplished because of people being held back by racism, poverty and lack of access to opportunities?
We believe that women and communities of color have been excluded and disenfranchised when it comes to asset building and wealth creation. We strive to provide them with culturally specific financial knowledge, products and services to help them achieve financial wellbeing and to build wealth and opportunities for future generations. We hope you will join us in this work. Wishing you all the best,
Nancy Yuill
|
|
|
Take a Chance on Me!
We are collecting stories about a time when someone took a chance on you. How did it impact your life? We will be displaying these stories at our fundraiser in June. You can decide if you would like your name displayed or not with the story.
|
|
160 Families will earn $130 for doing three short surveys
Innovative Changes and CASH Oregon are doing a Family Economic Opportunity Research project at tax time. We are enrolling 160 families in a research assignment on the impact the earned income tax credit has on our families' economic opportunities. Each family will fill in three short surveys over the course of 90 days. They will be paid $40 for turning in survey #1, $40 for survey #2 and $50 for survey #3. The surveys and all related communications will be done in English and Spanish.
To qualify a family needs to qualify and file for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Please encourage your families who qualify to come to the CASH Oregon / AARP Tax Aide site at Lloyd Center to get their taxes done as early as they can. We only have 160 researcher slots and we envision the slots will fill up fast. Please contact us if you have any questions.
|
 Get Your Taxes Done!
CASH Oregon Tax sites open January 26th.
The Lloyd Center tax site located in room 2027 will be open Saturday through Wednesday 9AM-4PM, Thursday 1PM-8PM, Friday CLOSED. Our last day will be Monday April 18th. We will be closed Easter Sunday March 27.
|
|
Meet Landra!
 What drew you to take on the Tax Time Money Coach position in addition to your other position at Innovative Changes?
I enjoy assisting people with their goals. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to become better in whatever area of life they feel needs growth. I love what I do and it warms my soul to see the facial expression on clients when they can see the light at the end of their financial tunnel.
Where are you originally from and what do you like best about Portland?
I'm from a small town called East Carondelet IL. I love Portland's beauty the green trees our parks and all the family activities that are offered especially, during the summer.
Read more about Landra here!
|
|
Client Spotlight: Yolanda!
How did you first hear about and get involved with IC$?
I learned of Innovative Changes through a presentation at my place of employment.
What programs have you participated in? What have you learned from these programs/services?
I participated in the loan program with Innovative Changes. I learned the importance of balancing and managing your money. In addition, how debt truly impacts your credit. Also, that having the opportunity to short term loans provide a hopeful attitude toward future financial endeavors.
Read more about Yolanda here! |
Better Money Habits from Bank of America
Designed specifically for financial coaches and counselors who work with people and families who are living paycheck-to-paycheck, BetterMoneyHabits.com now has a Partner Page for quick access to content that is relevant, easy to use and understand to help your clients achieve their financial goals. BetterMoneyHabits.com/Partner includes videos, infographics and articles that were created in collaboration with several non-profit organizations. The content is organized by goal, including Taking control of your finances, Getting out of debt, Establishing or rebuilding credit, Building better financial habits, Establishing an emergency fund, Buying a home. BetterMoneyHabits.com was created by Bank of America in partnership with online education innovator Khan Academy. The Web site is objective, free for all, and is easily viewable on a computer, tablet or smartphone. Visit BetterMoneyHabits.com/Partner to learn more.
|
UNDOING RACISMŪ & COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
PORTLAND WORKSHOP
March 10-12, 2016
This unique workshop is offered by The People's Institute, a nationwide, multiracial, anti-racist network dedicated to ending racism and other forms of institutional oppression. The workshop's systemic approach stresses learning from history, developing leadership, maintaining accountability to communities, creating networks, undoing internalized oppression, and understanding the role of organizational gate-keeping in perpetuating racism.
|
|
Upcoming Workshops & Orientations
|
The next Financial Household Resiliency workshops will be:
- Tuesday evenings, 5:30-7:30 pm
March 8th: Making Ends Meet
March 15th: Budgeting and Savings
March 22nd: Hands on Banking
March 29th: Building, Repairing and Protecting Credit.
This workshop series will be held at our NEW office in 2027 Lloyd Center Mall. You can register for the classes here.
|
Our next Credit Builder Orientations will be:
Friday, February 26th, 1-2 pm
Tuesday, March 1st, 5:30-6:30 pm
Friday, March 11th, 1-2 pm
EN ESPAŅOL, martes, 15 de marzo, 5:30-6:30 pm
Tuesday, March 22nd, 5:30-6:30 pm
All take place at our office, 2027 Lloyd Center. Register here.
|
|
|
As of 2/18/2016
|
Partners:
|
54
| |
Loans:
Total disbursed:
| 883
$401,160 | | Financial Education Clients: | 3,624 | | IDA Savers: | 114 | |
IDA Graduates:
|
19
| |
IDA Wait List:
|
--
| |
IDA Interest:
| 280 |
|
About Us
Our inter-related programs of responsible lending, credit building, financial education and savings acceleration build people's financial capabilities and put them on the path to long term financial health. Join us in our work!
|
|
You Can Help!
You care about helping people achieve and maintain household stability. Now you can join our efforts at Innovative Changes as we expand our reach to serve more clients. Your generous donation will be put to good use!
Whatever amount you can afford, you can set it up for monthly automatic payments to ease your cash flow. If you have bill pay service with your bank you can set up Innovative Changes to receive regular monthly payments. If you prefer, we can process a monthly ACH transaction on your behalf. Contact us at contact@innovativechanges.org to set up your monthly giving program.
Thank you for your support!
|
|
STAY CONNECTED  
|
|
|
|
|
