Mon, May 09
|Boise
City Club Evening Conversation: Micro-lending for Immigrants in Treasure Valley
Join this informative panel discussion with local experts and loan recipients on current programs, potential for expansion, current challenges, funding, public support, strategic partnerships, the recipient experience, small business opportunities for refugees, impact of loans beyond the actual loan
Time & Location
May 09, 2022, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM MDT
Boise, Ron and Linda Yanke Family Research Park, 220 Parkcenter Blvd, Boise, ID 83706, USA
About the Event
Join City Club for an informative panel discussion with local experts and loan recipients on current programs, potential for expansion, current challenges, funding, public support, strategic partnerships, the recipient experience, small business opportunities for refugees, impact of loans beyond the recipients and support beyond the actual loan.
We’re pleased to bring representatives from Economic Opportunity (EO) by Jannus-- one such program with a mission to empower the underserved to achieve economic mobility through individualized services and support. Our discussion will explore the concept of microfinance and its impact on individuals, families, and communities like ours. The Economic Opportunity team will be joined by their partner, Idaho Office for Refugees, along with a shared client, Kibrom Milash. Kibrom will tell his story of building a successful business, and explain the value EO and IOR have delivered for him and other refugees in the Treasure Valley.
Finally, we will talk about the challenges of microfinancing and what it takes to operate a program like EO, including costs, public support, and strategic partnerships like that of Wells Fargo. In 2021, EO was awarded the Open for Business Grant by Wells Fargo to help build the capacity needed for providing technical assistance to small businesses, a critical component to client success.
The panel discussion will be moderated by City Club board member Greg Hahn. Join us at the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning classroom or via Zoom on Monday, May 9, 2022 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Panelists:
Brandon Meredith- Mountain Region VP, Wells Fargo
Kibrom Milash- Owner, Kibrom’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant
Kelli Parker- Director, Economic Opportunity, Jannus Org.
Klaudia Saric- Business Development Specialist, EO Jannus Org.
Tara Wolfson- Director, Idaho Office of Refugees
A companion tour will be held on Saturday, June 18th, to coincide with World Refugee Day. Specific details will be provided at the forum.