On May 17th, LISC was joined by over 40 community partners on the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) Network’s 3rd annual Virtual Open House. Presenters included Tiffany Taylor-Minor, Program Officer at LISC Rural and representative for LISC’s Black and African American Affinity Group, Jim Horan, Executive Director of LISC Connecticut; Esther Jean-Marie and RaQuasia Smith, Program Officers with LISC Connecticut and Gabrielle Emmanuel, FOC Manager at Urban League of Greater Hartford. Speakers presented on LISC’s commitment to racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) including its appearance in LISC nationally, LISC Connecticut, and how these themes were embedded into the FOCs.
During the Fall of 2020, in an effort to address racial wealth, health, and opportunity gaps worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, LISC launched a statewide network of Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs). FOCs are career and financial coaching service centers that provide employment and career counseling, one-on-one financial coaching and education, and low-cost financial products that help build credit, savings, and assets. In 2022, with a sharp focus on racial equity and embedding themes into LISC programming, FOC staff attended quarterly peer learning sessions co-facilitated with DEIJ Consultant, Jennifer Rutledge, creating specific racial equity goals to increase staff knowledge, reach more diverse populations, and increase access to services.
LISC has a network of approximately 130 FOCs across the country, embedded in local community organizations that are trusted and known for their history of providing quality services. In Connecticut, LISC builds the capacity of sites through continued financial support and technical assistance via training, monthly meetings, and peer learning sessions.
The Connecticut FOC Network currently consists of seven FOCs including:
According to Program Officer, RaQuasia Smith, the main focus for FOC sites this year is to improve employment and financial outcomes such as job placement and retention as well as the number of clients increasing income, net worth, and credit score. FOCs have done well with integrating services and meeting individual site goals to serve several new clients. However, sites are working to better coach clients and obtain additional training to help clients meet their goals and work on an action plan.