Our Strategies:
Programs that help low income people:
prevent or recover from predatory lending
improve credit scores
build savings
Organizations that advocate for systems change in predatory lending, with a focus on the East Bay.
Capacity building and technical assistance to asset-building organizations.
Our Desired Outcomes:
- Predatory lending: low-income people resolve collections issues, primarily through legal assistance and financial coaching.
- Credit: individuals with no credit score establish one, and individuals with sub-prime credit improve to a prime credit score.
- Savings: low-income households increase the amount of their savings for emergency expenses or a long-term goal.
Grantee Spotlight
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA)
HERA is a legal services and advocacy organization dedicated to helping Californians build a safe, sound financial future, free of discrimination and economic abuse. HERA provides free legal advice, consumer workshops, and training for professionals, as well as community organizing support and policy advocacy. The Soda Foundation supports HERA's work in the East Bay to help low-income families address crushing debt from predatory student loans, auto loans, home mortgages, and credit cards. HERA uniquely combines direct legal services with financial coaching to help clients repair their credit, which may lead to more stable housing and employment opportunities. HERA's expert legal staff is adept at identifying emerging issues in predatory and discriminatory lending practices, and the organization has effectively moved forward on litigation and policy advocacy to address these issues on a systemic level.
Resources
CFED
The Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) is a national intermediary supporting the asset-building field. CFED publishes data, advocates for policy change, highlights best practices and manages a national network of local asset-building and tax preparation programs.
Alameda County Community Asset Network (AC CAN)
AC CAN is a local network of service providers, public agencies, banks, credit unions, community based organizations, and base building organizations that work in partnership to increase the income and assets of Alameda County residents.
Contra Costa Family Economic Security Partnership (FESP)
FESP is a local public, private and nonprofit collaboration dedicated to increasing the income and building the assets of low-income families and individuals living in Contra Costa County.
http://www.firstfivecc.org/index.php?page=family-economic-security-partnership