LIIF Senior Vice President, National ECE Angie Garling (photo, fourth from left) today joined California District 14 Asm. Buffy Wicks (third from left), the California Coalition for Community Investment and LISC in Berkeley. The aim was to spotlight how community development financial institutions (CDFIs) invest in historically excluded communities, plus showcase the successes of the California Investment and Innovation Program (Cal IIP), which is a fund earmarked for California CDFIs.
First up was a child care site visit of South YMCA Center, which is a community anchor that has improved and rehabilitated areas of its infant yard and toddler/preschool playground, including a shade structure. The needed capital was made possible via the California Department of Social Services’ $350.5 million Infrastructure Grant Program (IGP), for which LIIF serves as facilities fund manager. South YMCA Center is a 44-year-old early care and education (ECE) center, located in the lowest-income neighborhood of Berkeley, and it currently serves 68 children from ages birth to 5 years. Afterward, LISC coordinated a tour with one of their borrowers, the Bay Area Community Land Trust.
The aim was to spotlight how community development financial institutions (CDFIs) invest in historically excluded communities, plus showcase the successes of the California Investment and Innovation Program (Cal IIP), which is a fund earmarked for California CDFIs.