A Day as a Homeless Person Can Change Your Life

Recently I attended a “Poverty Simulation” program sponsored by Leadership San Jose.  I am a graduate of the San Jose Leadership program, and served as President of the Alumni Association. The poverty simulation was hosted by a homeless shelter in Santa Clara County. Before immersing ourselves in the simulation, we toured the homeless shelter to…

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Placerville Food Co-op Strengthens Their Community and Economy

Placerville Natural Food Co-op (PNFC) is a member owned food cooperative that provides local, organic food through its natural foods store based in Placerville. Previously known as Noah’s Ark, a natural foods store since 1994, it was purchased by the cooperative in October 2011, whose members include the store’s former manager. PNFC facilitates a hub…

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Community Vision Presence Felt at OFN’s Annual Conference

Four Community Vision staffers just returned from San Antonio, where they participated in the annual conference of the Opportunity Finance Network, the 200-member national association of CDFIs. Over a thousand people from CDFIs, religious, bank and foundation investors, government agencies, and community development leaders from across the country attended the conference. Community Vision was an…

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Community Vision’s Wine Social Brings Our Mission to the Masses

Community Vision’s first Young Professional’s Wine Social was met with interest and enthusiasm, attracting an eclectic group of professionals from various occupations. The event was held Wednesday October 10 at the SF Hub, a for-profit social enterprise with a mission to build community, spur innovation and collaboration, and create social impact. Located in the historic…

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Opportunity Finance Network’s National Conference October 15-18

Community Vision’s President, Mary A. Rogier recently returned from a meeting in Philadelphia of the Opportunity Finance Network’s (OFN) quarterly board meeting.  OFN is the national membership association of 200 Community Development Financial Institutions – CDFIs. Last September, Mary was re-elected to a second three-year term on the 13-member board of directors.  OFN’s widely attended…

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Consulting and Training Clients – Sept. 2012

The following organizations are currently receiving financial and/or real estate assessments to help them understand their financial position and plan for the future: Sacramento Native American Health Center, Inc. – A health center committed to enhancing the quality of life by providing a culturally competent, holistic, and patient-centered continuum of care. The Center for New…

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Girls Inc. of Alameda Makes a Strong, Smart and Bold Move to Oakland

Since 1958, Girls Inc. has been working to meet the needs of underserved girls (ages 5 to 18), and their families. The organization offers academic enrichment programs, leadership and fitness programs, and mental health counseling services. The organization reaches nearly 7,500 girls, family members and clients annually. Our readers may remember that in 2009 Community…

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Consulting and Training Clients – Aug. 2012

The following organizations received financial assessments to help them understand their financial position and plan for the future: Kunst-Stoff Arts – A San Francisco based dance company that empowers today’s professional dancer by providing the necessary tools for a versatile, authentic and creative artist. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California – Provides children facing…

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Community Vision Receives Over $1.4 million Through CDFI Program Award

As part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s commitment to revitalizing economic and community development across the country, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) Director Donna J. Gambrell, Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Don Graves and U.S. Representative Gwen Moore announced the awardees of the CDFI Program Awards. Community Vision is proud to announce…

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Central Market Economic Strategy Wins APA Grassroots Award

The Northern California chapter of the American Planning Association has recognized the Central Market Economic Strategy as the winner of the 2012 Grassroots Planning Award. The Grassroots Planning Award illustrates how the planning process can be moved beyond traditional methods and utilize the community in the planning process. The Central Market Economic Strategy brought together…

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