Stories
For Our Children and Our Communities, A Black Mother's Call To Action
In the wake of the horrific shooting of Ralph Yarl, LISC's Holly Long asks readers of an opinion piece for The Kansas City Star to challenge the systemic issues that perpetuate violence that Black children and adults face every day. As a Black mother parenting children in the same city where the 16-year-old was shot, she poses the question: “When will a child’s innocent mistake no longer turn into a matter of life and death?”
Double Down on ‘Local’ to Empower Families and Communities
From pandemic relief to racial equity, success is as dependent on a strong social infrastructure in communities as it is on the dollars that flow through it, writes LISC President Denise Scott, in a new commentary. “To support just and resilient communities, we must invest in the capacity of place-based organizations to plan, execute, measure, adjust and sustain community development gains.”
Building from the Bottom Up and the Middle Out: Biden Speaks to the Nation on Opportunity, Equity and Growth
Matt Josephs, LISC senior vice president for policy, takes a look at the president’s State of the Union address and what it might mean for efforts to bridge gaps in health, wealth and opportunity throughout the country.
Congress Must Seize the Opportunity to Make Equitable Investments in People and Places
The Build Back Better Act is a sweeping package of investments to support underserved people and communities. LISC’s Matt Josephs takes a closer look at this historic opportunity for Congress to break down systemic barriers for people of color, while at the same time fueling an equitable economic recovery from the pandemic.
Care First, Jails Last
Los Angeles County has selected LISC to implement key parts of an extraordinary initiative to provide alternatives to incarceration. The $61 million, two-year pilot is working to divert people from jail and instead offer services to help overcome housing instability and mental health and substance abuse challenges. It will also provide a model for how to turn the page on mass incarceration.
A Playbook for Our Future: LISC Unveils Its New Policy Priorities
Strong public policies have always been critical to promoting affordable housing, economic development, health and jobs. But the urgency surrounding these issues today is unprecedented. LISC SVP for Policy Matt Josephs zeroes in on the goals of LISC’s federal policy agenda for the coming congressional term in a blog highlighting proposals that tackle gaps in health, wealth and opportunity affecting millions of families and their communities.