EM BRANCH & ASSOCIATES, INC.: HELPING OTHERS TO COPE
Throughout our lives, we all are faced with challenges, some mental, some physical and some emotional. In fact, roughly 26% of adult Americans suffer from some form of diagnosable mental disorder each year. Understanding how common mental disorders are is important so that we can measure and understand their impact (i.e., physical, financial and social) […]
2023 CCLF STAKEHOLDERS MEETING: BACK TOGETHER AGAIN
After three years of virtual meetings, CCLF had its first in-person Annual Stakeholders meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the DePaul Center in downtown Chicago. Prior to the meeting, the 77 attendees were treated to a delectable breakfast enthusiastically networking after the long hiatus. Once the meeting was underway, Erik Hall, CCLF Board Chair, […]
RIMLAND GRAND OPENING: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD OF AUTISM
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as “a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.” This disorder can begin to show symptoms within the first 12 months of life. Some children may progress and develop new skills and reach developmental milestones at or about 18 – 24 […]
UNITED YARDS GROUNDBREAKING
Settled in the mid-nineteenth century, Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood is a historic community known as the home of the Union Stockyards. Chicago’s concentration of railroads and ingenuity led to the large development of the meatpacking industry and those seeking job opportunities. The precarious and unsanitary working conditions, industry pollution, and low wages spurred […]
NORTH AUSTIN COMMUNITY CENTER RIBBON CUTTING
Chicago is a city of 77 neighborhoods. As in most large cities, some neighborhoods are more economically stable than others. In order to combat the decline in some communities, Mayor Lori Lightfoot created Invest South/West to re-activate neighborhood cores. One of the neighborhoods in this community improvement initiative is Austin on the city’s West Side. […]
BRONZEVILLE LAKEFRONT INFRASTRUCTURE GROUNDBREAKING
After sitting vacant for 15 years, the site where Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center once stood finally is being redeveloped. In late March, the Bronzeville Lakefront Infrastructure groundbreaking near Chicago’s southside lakefront took place; it was long overdue. Chicago is known for its topnotch medical facilities. For many years Michael Reese was considered one […]
MESSAGE FROM ROBERT TUCKER, COO & EXECUTIVE VP OF PROGRAMS AND INTERIM PRESIDENT
At the start of 2023, CCLF was extremely busy, experiencing an increased demand for its lending products, technical assistance and programmatic leadership. Although this flurry of activity came at a time when our trusted leader, Calvin L. Holmes, was on an extended leave, CCLF’s brilliant, hard-working and innovative staff made sure that the organization continued […]
2022 IN REVIEW: CCLF WHEN OPPORTUNITIES MEET DETERMINATION, COMMUNITIES GROW
After putting the worst of the pandemic behind us, 2022 was an outstanding year for CCLF to satisfy its mission of “providing flexible, affordable and responsible financing and technical assistance for community stabilization and development efforts and initiatives that benefit low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, families and individuals throughout metropolitan Chicago.” CCLF closed 26 loans totaling […]
CALVIN HOLMES HONORED WITH THE BANK OF AMERICA NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDERS: RACIAL EQUITY AWARD
Since 2004, Bank of America, one of the world’s leading financial institutions, has recognized nonprofits who have played a role in changing the landscape of communities throughout the nation by investing in underserved neighborhoods to advance economic mobility through their signature philanthropic programs Neighborhood Builders Award. In 2022, they added an extension to the award […]
TULSA TOUR OF CHICAGO’S CDFI COMMUNITY
On an exceptionally warm day in November, CCLF hosted a group of engaged Tulsa, Oklahoma residents interested in creating a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) on a tour of community development projects financed by Chicago’s CDFI community. Chicago CDFI leaders hosting the group included Calvin Holmes, President, CCLF; Vickie Lakes-Battle, Executive Director – Chicago Metro […]
