The following are stories of RCIF borrowers who have paid their loans in full and continue to operate successfully.
San Luis Obispo County Housing Trust Fund
The San Luis Obispo County Housing Trust Fund’s (HTF) mission is to increase the affordable housing supply for residents with very low to moderate incomes, and those with special needs. The statistics alone reveal HTF’s positive impact on the region; two HTF financed rental projects accounted for 30% of all housing starts in the entire county in 2010. These two apartment projects, Hidden Creek Village and the Village at Broad Street, together provide affordable, secure, and energy-efficient homes for 123 households whose monthly incomes range from about $900 to $4,000.
The Women’s Shelter Program (WSP) received HTF technical assistance and bridge financing that resulted in the purchase of four units now used as transitional housing. HTF also prevented the eviction of individuals with developmental disabilities living in units that went into foreclosure. At the foreclosure auction, HTF stepped in and provided a short-term loan of over $300K to another nonprofit, Tri-Counties Community Housing Corporation, who won the bid and now own and operate the property. Since 2005 HTF ha made $11.2 million in loans and preserved or created 332 units of affordable housing.
Mission Neighborhood Centers
Since 1959, the Mission Neighborhood Centers, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, with 11 community centers, have provided quality programs that promote self-sufficiency and community growth for San Francisco’s children, youth, families and seniors through our Child Development Programs, Youth and Senior Services Programs.
Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. is the product of the vibrant legacy from the personal philanthropic efforts of San Francisco’s leading families of the early 20th century and the visionary dedication of the Wolfsohn sisters. Today, well into the second decade of the 21st century, the opportunity exists to honor and rekindle this philanthropic and entrepreneurial spirit of our great-great-grandmothers whose efforts secured a strong foundation for our lively community center that today continues with their vision of empowerment and community building to help newcomer families and their children. Mission Neighborhood Centers has served 380 children in the HeadStart programs, 700 low-income seniors at its two centers and 1,085 youth in its various programs for youth.
Portland YouthBuilders
Part of a network of over 250 YouthBuild programs nationwide, Portland YouthBuilders supports low-income young men and women who are committed to changing their lives to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the workforce and their community. Each year, they provide education, vocational training, and leadership development services for over 200 young people between the ages of 17 and 24 who have not completed high school and who face significant barriers to success. Students attend PYB every weekday, alternating between academic studies and vocational training in either their green construction or computer technology program. All students receive career development skills, leadership development opportunities, and long term support.
RCIF conducted a bus tour in 2011 and many sisters from the sponsoring communities enjoyed learning about the program.
Santa Cruz Credit Union
In 1977 the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union opened its first savings accounts and embarked on what is now over three decades of community service. Santa Cruz Community Credit Union is a nonprofit financial cooperative that promotes economic justice. Serving over 10,000 members the credit union has offices in Santa Cruz and Watsonville. The credit union has won awards for its programs to serve low-income clients including literacy workshops, savings accounts and tax assistance programs.
