We are pleased to have partnered with Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI) and Restaurant Opportunities of the Bay Area (ROC – The Bay) in obtaining grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)’s Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) program. Through our membership with the FHLB, Community Vision was able to sponsor both organizations.
RMSI was awarded a $50,000 grant to support the development plan for design and build out of a co-working space in downtown Richmond. The co-working business incubator will offer affordable office and co-working space for local entrepreneurs and small businesses. Members will be offered individual business development services, IT and mail services, and shared meeting rooms. The co-working environment will facilitate professional networking and engagement with Richmond’s broader civic and business community and will also offer convertible space for community events and activities, including art exhibitions, musical performances, and community meetings.
ROC- The Bay works to increase wages and improve the working conditions of low-wage employees in the restaurant industry. The organization was awarded a $39,000 grant to expand an existing training program that supports restaurant bussers and runners, who are often immigrants, youth, people of color, women, and the formerly incarcerated, to learn the hard and soft skills necessary to work as waiters and front-end staff, positions that earn greater wages.
