LISC Phoenix

LISC Phoenix is thrilled to announce that Phoenix Christian Preparatory School has been awarded a $250,000 grant through the National Football League (NFL) Foundation Grassroots Program in partnership with the Arizona Cardinals Football Club! This funding will transform the school’s existing field into a state-of-the-art artificial turf football field, providing a safe, high-quality space for students and families in the St. Gregory neighborhood of Midtown Phoenix. At LISC Phoenix, we believe that parks and athletic fields are more than just recreational spaces—they’re vital community assets. They bring people together, encourage healthy lifestyles, and create opportunities for young people to thrive. This project marks the 18th local field improvement we’ve stewarded through nearly $2.5 million in funding since 1999. We’re proud to partner with the NFL Foundation and the Arizona Cardinals to invest in our youth and create spaces where they can grow, learn, and connect. Completion is anticipated by Summer 2025—stay tuned for updates as this incredible project comes to life! #CommunityDevelopment #YouthSports #NFLFoundation #ArizonaCardinals #LISC #PhoenixProud #StrongerTogether

Thank you to everyone who showed up for our Annual Breakfast & Community Awards last week, and especially to those who have shared your reflections online. If you missed it, you can catch up with today's column: https://lnkd.in/gaQBdcse

Last Friday, nearly 50 passionate advocates joined us in Tucson for an engaging and heartfelt conversation on pedestrian safety with Angie Schmitt, Nicole R. of the Urban Phoenix Project, and Emily Yetman of Living Streets Alliance. The discussion shed light on the pressing crisis of traffic violence and the urgent need for safer streets, particularly in underserved communities. Attendees left inspired, equipped with actionable insights, and committed to advancing change in their communities. We are grateful to our incredible speakers and everyone who joined us. Special thanks to Dragoon Brewing Company for their warm hospitality! These conversations are just the beginning—let’s continue mobilizing, advocating for policy change, and building momentum for safer, more equitable streets for all Arizonans. #PedestrianSafety #CommunityEngagement #TransportationEquity

Congratulations to this year’s Live Well Arizona Incubator teams for completing their final in-person workshop! Over the past several months, these remarkable teams have worked diligently to tackle complex health and equity challenges across Arizona. From brainstorming bold ideas to building collaborative partnerships, their commitment to creating healthier, more vibrant communities has been nothing short of inspiring. We look forward to seeing how their projects and programs evolve and create lasting impact in the months and years to come. Stay tuned as we continue to support these innovative efforts and share their progress! #LiveWellArizona #HealthEquity #CommunityInnovation

Standing Firm for Justice and Resilience in Uncertain Times In the face of shifting landscapes and policies that may undermine the progress we’ve made in supporting excluded communities, our work at LISC is more critical than ever. Our collective mission—rooted in equity, empowerment, and resilience—is not only relevant now but essential. There is great urgency in this moment, as many of the people we serve are at heightened risk of efforts that prioritize authority over equity and marginalization over opportunity. With actions likely to emerge that could destabilize populations and erode protections we’ve fought hard to establish, we are now the first line of defense for many, and the time for counteraction, fortitude, and a renewed commitment has come. For decades, LISC has been an advocate for underserved communities, providing resources, guidance, and support to help build stable, prosperous futures. This goes beyond program implementation, however. We’re champions for those whose voices are silenced and whose needs are overlooked. From backing equitable economic development to ensuring healthy, sustainable communities, we stand as a safeguard against practices that target the very people we strive to uplift. Our efforts—wherever they are focused—have the power to shield communities from the challenges ahead. This power gives us the unique ability to provide a counterbalance to oppressive forces. By continuing to prioritize economic resilience and sustainable development, we can build structures that withstand what confronts us. Our organization’s work has always been about fostering local resilience, now an essential act of resistance. To be effective, we must strengthen our partnerships and deepen our resolve. By increasing collaboration across sectors, enhancing alliances with community organizations, and remaining vigilant in our advocacy work, we pledge to participate fully in this collective endeavor. We reaffirm our commitment to collaborating with local partners, improving networks, and promoting strategies that protect those who are most vulnerable. Together, we have the capacity to make a lasting impact and ensure communities have the tools they need to resist unjust actors and thrive despite them. LISC has always operated at the intersection of policy, partnership, and action. We will use this position to further our work, and as we enter this uncertain period, we commit to amplifying it for those most in need. We will continue to advocate, uplift, and push forward in solidarity, standing with those whose rights and well-being are at risk. Our collective strength lies in unity and dedication to equity and justice, and it will help others not only to survive, but find ways toward brighter, more resilient futures. We have a responsibility—to each other, and to the principles of fairness and opportunity to do so. We will rise together to meet these challenges head-on. We will stand strong, and help communities stand stronger.

Tucson & Phoenix - Let’s Talk About the Pedestrian Safety Crisis Did you know that pedestrian deaths are a continued and growing epidemic nationwide, especially in underserved communities? It’s time to rethink our streets and work toward safer, more equitable solutions. Join the Arizona Partnership for Healthy Communities for an insightful event with Angie Schmitt, author of Right of Way, as we examine this crisis and how it intersects with race, class, and transportation justice. Phoenix Event: Thursday, November 14, 2024 | The Newton Tucson Event: Friday, November 15, 2024 | Dragoon Brewing Company 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Doors at 5:30 PM) Alongside Angie, local advocates Nicole R. from the Urban Phoenix Project and Emily Yetman of Living Streets Alliance will join us for a dynamic conversation moderated by our own David Longoria. In addition to this, a free bike valet will be available at the Phoenix event operated by Phoenix Spokes People. Let’s build momentum toward safer streets in Arizona! Free registration: https://lnkd.in/gv3js_iB

Last week we had a special visit from Ruth Jones Nichols, Ph.D., Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)'s new Executive Vice President for Local and National Programs. Around her responsibilities at the Financial Opportunity Center? national convening, we got to introduce her to a few of the folks who know our work and community best, join the conference tour of Mesa with Retail, Arts, Innovation, & Livability Community Development Corporation (RAIL CDC), see the impact of LISC investments in child care at Beautiful Oasis Childcare, and learn about Mayor Corey Woods' Hometown For All initiative with a personal tour.

Today President Biden was in Arizona to apologize for what he called “one of the most horrific chapters in American history…that the vast majority of Americans don’t even know about.” We are proud to have supported the work of Native American Connections and Phoenix Indian Center to bring the stories of Phoenix Indian School to our community. Engagement with survivors and community helped design the adaptive reuse of the original band building at what is now Steele Indian School Park to become a community event space, classroom and gallery. A commercial kitchen was built for Indigenous chefs and entrepreneurs to preserve Native foodways, which got significant use during the pandemic to prepare meals for elders. And importantly, a curriculum was developed to bring the history of the Phoenix Indian School to students around the state to break the silence around this dark time in American history. Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center: https://lnkd.in/gEZgKGMr Project story: https://lnkd.in/gMaqwg6x Project video: https://lnkd.in/g-uhuRnp Arizona Republic coverage of Biden visit: https://lnkd.in/gcE9ntN6

Know any small business leaders or owners? Tell them about this: All 12 Federal Reserve Banks are collecting responses to this year’s Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS) as part of our role in supporting a healthy economy. Every year, the Fed conducts this nationwide survey to gather insights on business and credit conditions. The findings from the SBCS are used by policymakers and service providers as they make decisions about policies and programs that affect small businesses. The annual 12-minute survey is open to for-profit businesses currently in operation, those recently closed, and those about to launch. By taking the survey, business leaders and owners contribute to data that directly inform the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others—a public good ultimately benefiting their businesses and others like theirs. The survey closes November 1, 2024. Don’t delay!?https://bit.ly/4dMgGVm #SmallBiz?#SmallBusinessCreditSurvey

A salty and sweet combo on the menu in Mesa at Que Chevere, who went from a food truck to a restaurant on Main Street with the help of Retail, Arts, Innovation, & Livability Community Development Corporation (RAIL CDC). It makes us wonder: are LISC Phoenix and RAIL CDC also a salty and sweet combo? Or are we just getting hungry? https://lnkd.in/g85qUFvN