Building Lives for an Economy Struggling Society
Investing in Communities by the BLOCK
Communities
Displacement has lasting impacts on physical and psychological well-being, community cohesion, and long-term economic mobility. Moreover, when low-income people of color are displaced from communities by rising housing prices, patterns of re-segregation emerge, perpetuating racial inequity. BLESS’ vision is to invest and create affordable housing, where people of all levels of income have the opportunity to thrive.
Businesses
In an effort to better ensure that local community businesses truly reflect their city’s diversity and that minority businesses are able to participate in growth and revitalization efforts, BLESS is focusing on launching an Equitable Community Business Initiative. Charting a new path toward inclusive economic opportunity, this program will combine our local knowledge, partnerships, and key strengths – including program design and project financing – to support minority businesses to grow their business and support communities.
Supporting Youth Diversity
While diversity is positive in many ways, the struggle to educate large classrooms of children with varying language proficiency and socioeconomic backgrounds is challenging. Poor families, black students and Hispanic English-language learners have been found to benefit from a charter school education. BLESS plans to deliver both the capital and commitment to support and grow strong charter schools within the targeted communities.