♪ ♪ >>> WELCOME TO "AT ISSUE."

I'M H WAYNE WILSON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE HELPING THOSE IN NEED.

COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE NEEDS HELPED BY THE SALVATION ARMY, THE UNITED WAY, AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH, BUT THERE ARE SOME ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THAT ARE HELPING DISTRESSED NEIGHBORHOODS AND TO HELP INCREASE ROLE MODEL REPRESENTATION ON BOARDS OF TRUSTEES.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THAT FOR THE NEXT HALF-HOUR WITH JOSHUA GUND.

JOSHUA IS THE C.E.O.

AND PRESIDENT OF THE C.E.O.

COUNCIL AND THE PEORIA-AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> ALSO WITH US IS ANGELA BOLDEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LISK CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

AND LISK SOMETIMES IS KNOWN AS LOCAL INITIATIVE SUPPORT CORPORATION, BUT WE'LL REFER IT AS LISC CENTRAL ILLINOIS DURING THE PROGRAM.

AND ALSO HERE IS JULIE HUDDLETON.

SHE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ME TECH RESOURCE CENTER.

AND WITH THAT, LET ME START FIRST WITH JUST -- WE KNOW THERE ARE NEEDS IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

BUT DURING THE PANDEMIC, HAS THAT, ANGELA, CHANGED?

IS THERE A GREATER NEED OR HAVE YOU SEEN A GREATER RESPONSE OR HOW HAVE YOU HANDLED THE COVID SITUATION?

>> THERE'S BEEN A GREATER NEED.

WE HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN SUPPORTING A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

MORE THAN WE WERE DOING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

SO HELPING SMALL BUSINESS NAVIGATE THE PANDEMIC, TO STAY AFLOAT WITH THEIR BUSINESSES, TO RECOVER AND MEET THE NEEDS OF KEEPING THE DOORS OPEN.

>> AND FOR YOU, JULIE, THE PANDEMIC SITUATION?

>> SURE.

THE PANDEMIC HAS ACTUALLY KEPT OUR ORGANIZATION BUSIER WITH ALL OF THE SHUTDOWNS AND WITH INDIVIDUALS LOSING JOBS AND POTENTIALLY LOSING WHERE THEY LIVE.

THERE'S JUST BEEN A MUCH GREAT NEARED AND INDIVIDUALS HAVE REACHED OUT FOR OUR SERVICES.

SO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY OVER THE PHONE OR FACE TO FACE ALL THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

>> ANGELA, YOUR ORGANIZATION STARTED STARTED PRIMARILY TO HELP PEOPLE -- TO HELP PEOPLE WITH HOUSING NEEDS.

CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT?

WE'LL GET INTO SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU DO, BUT HOW MANY UNITS HAVE YOU HELPED AND HOW DO YOU HELP THEM?

>> TO DATE, SINCE THE DOORS HAVE OPENED IN PEORIA, WE HAVE SUPPORTED 400 HOUSING UNITS.

AND THEIR SUPPORT CAN BE IN THE FORM OF PROVIDING LOANS TO DEVELOPERS WHO ARE DEVELOPING SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS, WHO ARE DEVELOPING SINGLE-FAMILY HOME UNITS.

AND ALSO PROVIDE MONEY WHEN THEY NEED PREDEVELOPMENT, TO START THE PROJECT, TO DO THE DUE DILIGENCE, TO SEE IF THE PROJECT IS VITAL.

OR IT CAN BE LOAN FUNDS TO HELP WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THOSE UNITS.

>> NOW, LICC DOESN'T PROVIDE THE FUNDING PER SE.

YOU ACT AS KIND OF A LIAISON BETWEEN A FUNDING SOURCE AND THE PERSON WHO HAS A NEED?

>> CORRECT.

SO LISC RAISES FUNDS FROM CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATION, THAN THROPPISTS AND RECEIVE FUN TO SUPPORT INITIATIVES.

SO ONCE WE GARNER THE FUNDS, WE CHANNELED THEM IN THE COMPLETE TO MEET THE NEEDS AROUND HOUSING AND OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> JOSHUA, BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE EFFORTS TO INCREASE REPRESENTATION FOR MINORITIES ON BOARDS, I WANT TO MENTION THAT YOU HAPPEN TO BE ON THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR LISC.

>> YEAH.

AND IT'S SOMETHING I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT.

THE EFFORTS, THE WORK THEY DO I THINK IS VITAL TO THE COMMUNITY.

HAPPY TO SERVE IN THAT ROLE.

>> HOW HAVE YOU PERCEIVED THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED?

ARE THERE SOME THINGS THAT SHINE TO YOU, SOMETHING THAT YOU NOTICE AND YOU SAY, GEE WHIZ, WITHOUT LISC.

>> I THINK ANGELA SAID IT SO WELL.

400 HOUSING UNITS ARE SIGNIFICANT.

WE THINK ABOUT A REGION OF THREE, 300 OR 400,000 PEOPLE DEPENDING HOW YOU SLICE THE REGION.

AND 400 MAYBE SEEMS LIKE A DROP IN THE BUCKET, BUT THAT'S SIGNIFICANT OF THE THERE'S PROBABLY IN THE 400 HOUSES, MAYBE FAMILIES OF FOUR.

PEOPLE WHO HAD NO VISION OF THEMSELVES OWNING A HOME.

SO I THINK THAT'S THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION THAT I'M FAMILIAR WITH THAT LISC HAS MADE S THE ABILITY TO CREATE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WHO -- EITHER HOUSING INSECURE OR WHO NEVER HAVE -- WHO ARE THE FIRST GENERATION TO OWN A FAMILY IN THEIR FAMILY'S HISTORY.

IT'S -- A HOME IN THEIR FAMILY'S HISTORY.

IT'S A TREMENDOUS IMPACT AND I WANT TO UNDERSCORE THAT NUMBER OF 400.

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND FAR OUTWEIGHS AND FAR PUNCHES BEFORE OUR WAIT THAT THEY'VE DONE.

>> I WANT TO FOCUS ON THE HOUSING FOR JUST A MOMENT, BUSILY, SC IS UNDER -- LISC IS UNDERTAKING A BRAND-NEW PROJECT.

PROJECT 10X.

WHY 10X?

>> 10X IS TO INTENTIONALLY ADDRESS THE RACIAL WEALTH/HEALTH COMMUNITY GAP.

AND ONE OF THE WAYS IS TO HELP WITH HOMEOWNERSHIP.

SO HELPING FAMILIES TO BECOME FINANCIALLY STABLE, TO BUILD THEIR SAVINGS, TO BECOME A HOMEOWNER, TO -- A -- PURCHASE A HOMER THAT'S AFFORDABLE.

WE HAD THE PROJECT IN THE EAST BLUFF WHERE WE PROVIDED SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE A HOME.

SO WE BUILT NEW CONSTRUCTION AND THERE WERE SOME THAT WAS REHAB.

AND WHEN I SAY WE, WE DO OUR WORK THROUGH LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

LISC DOESN'T PROVIDE THE SERVICE, BUT WE SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS WHO ACTUALLY DO THE WORK.

>> AND OVER AT ME TECH, YOU HAVE FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND THAT'S A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THAT HOME AND KEEP IT IN HOIRNLSHIP.

>> YEAH.

AND EVEN TO GET TO THE HOME OWNERSHIP.

WE DO CREDIT COUNSELING, AND PREPURCHASE EDUCATION.

A LOT OF OUR CLIENTS ARE FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERS, FIRST GENERATION HOMEOWNERS IN THEIR FAMILY.

SO A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS OF HOW DO I FIND A REALTOR, HOW MUCH HOUSE CAN I AFFORD, WHAT SHOULD I LOOKING FOR WHEN I WALK THROUGH A HOUSE.

OUR AGENCY SERVES TO TRY AND ANSWER ALL THOSE QUESTIONS AND MEET THOSE NEEDS THROUGH THE CLASSES AND THE ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING SERVICES THAT WE HAVE.

>> AND WE PROBABLY SHOULD POINT OUT THE 10X IS ON AVERAGE, A BLACK FAMILY HAS ONE-TENTH OF THE NET WORTH OF A WHITE FAMILY IN AMERICA.

SO 10 TIMES, 10X.

>> CORRECT.

>> AND THE NUMBER ONE WAY OF BUILDING WEALTH IN AMERICA.

>> IS HOMEOWNERSHIP.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> BUSINESS OWNERSHIP BEING THE SECOND, WHICH BOTH OF THESE ORGANIZES ARE REALLY FIRMLY PLANTED AT THE INTERSECTION OF THOSE TWO THINGS.

SO I THINK BOTH ARE ADDRESSING THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP IN DIFFERENT BASIS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT BUSINESS.

>> YES.

SO WITH SMALL BUSINESSES, LOTS OF TIMES SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE RENTING OUT THE SPACE THAT THEY HAVE.

WE'VE OFFERED LENDING TO NOT BECOME A RENTER BUT OWN THE PROPERTY THAT YOU'RE PROVIDING SERVICES OUT OF.

ALSO, IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES, THERE'S BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE DOING BUSINESSES OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

SO WE PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SO THEM HOW TO BE ESTABLISHED AS A BUSINESS AND ALSO THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING, ESPECIALLY RESTAURANTS.

THEY DON'T SEEM TO STAY IN BUSINESS LORKS KNOW BUT WHEN WE GIVE OUT FUNDING, WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE ALONG WITH THAT FUNDING AND A LOT OF THAT IS PROVIDING SUPPORT TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> JULIE, FOR THOSE THAT AREN'T BUSINESS OWNERS, AND THAT'S A GOOD NUMBER OF US.

>> SURE.

>> YOU DO HAVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THAT WORKS?

>> SURE.

SO A LOT OF BUSINESSES IN TOWN KNOW WHO WE ARE NOW AND KNOW OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER.

AND SO THEY REACH OUT TO US ASKING IF WE HAVE CLIENTS THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN APPLYING.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SIT FORWARD -- SENT FORWARD INFORMATION ON TO CLIENTS.

WE HAVE A VIRTUAL JOB CLUB PAGE, AND ALSO ONE-ON-ONE COUNSEING SERVICES AND WE OFFER JOB CLUBS CLASS AND EDUCATION, LIKE INTERVIEW SKILLS, RESUME' WRITING, AND YES PREPARE INDIVIDUALS ENTERING THE WORKFORCE FOR THE FIRST TIME OR GET A SUSTAINABLE WAGE EMPLOYMENT JOB.

OR I KNOW ICC IS A BIG PROPONENT OF ALL OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS IN TOWN, SO THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN MORE EDUCATION AT ICC AS WELL, WE REFER A LOT OF CLIENTS OVER TO ICC FOR SOME OF THEIR CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS.

>> I WANT TO TURN TO JOSHUA AGAIN.

BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR -- IT'S ABOUT A YEAR OLD, THE PROGRAM, TO LET THE INITIATIVE TO BRING MORE BLACKS ON TO BOARDSES OF DIRECTORS, BOARDS OF THRUSTES -- TRUSTEES, FOR ALSO FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

>> BLACK LEADERSHIP IS A PROJECT THAT -- CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCED OUR NEW STRATEGIC PLAN LAST YEAR AND WE IDENTIFIED KEY PRIORITY AREAS THAT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON AS A C.O.

COUNCIL.

IT'S HOW WE CAN MAKE PEORIA A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.

WE WANTED TO DRILL DOWN INTO HOW WE DO THAT.

SOME OF THE THINGS WE IDENTIFIED ARE THINGS LIKE CULTIVATING COMMUNITY, AMPLIFYING THE UNIQUE ASSETS OF THE PEORIA AREA, WORKFORCE, TALENT TRACKS, AND SOLVING FOR THINGS LIKE THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP, SOLVING FOR THE LACK OF DIVERSE REPRESENTATION THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I HAVE TO SHOUT OUT AL HOOKS, WHO WAS THE BRAINCHILD BEHIND THIS BLACK LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE.

SOS ARE IN PEACE -- SO REST IN PEACE TO AL.

TREMENDOUS CHAMPION WHO WE LOST JUST A FEW WEEKS AGOO.

AL AND A FEW OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS BROUGHT THE IDEA OF DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AND THE C.O.

COUNCIL SEEMED LIKE A GREAT VEHICLE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE LACK OF DIVERSE REPRESENTATION ON BOARDSES OF DIRECTORS IN PEORIA.

THIS IS REALLY STEP ONE FOR US.

FINDING CREATE -- CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE LEADERSHIP.

STEP TWO, IT'S CULTIVATING A PIPELINE OF DIVERSE LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT PEORIA, STARTING FROM EMERGING LEADERS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE ESTABLISHED PROFESSIONALS.

AND WE DECIDED TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON THE BLACK COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OUR DATA TELLS US THAT'S WHERE THE WOULDD ITEST GAP -- WIDEST GAP IS IN PEORIA TODAY IS BLACK LEADERSHIP.

WE ACTUALLY SURVEYED THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THROUGH THE C.O.

COUNCIL TO FIND OUT HOW BAD WAS IT.

HOW BIG WAS THE GAP.

AND WE FOUND OUT THAT OUT OF THE BUSINESSES THAT WE SERVED, ONLY ABOUT 6% FOR-PROPERTY AND NONPROFIT HAD ANY BLACK REPRESENTATION.

OF THAT 6%, 70% HAD ONLY ONE BLACK PERSON REPRESENTED ON THEIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

SO A TREMENDOUS GAP IN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S ABOUT 27% AFRICA.

SO IT -- AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

THE GOAL IS TO EXPAND THE DIVERSITY EFFORT INTO OTHER COMMUNITIES.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN CONVINCING BOTH FOR-PROFITS AND NONPROFITS THAT IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A DIVERSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

>> YEAH, I THINK FORTUNATELY, THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPANIES IN THIS AREA AND REALLY IN THE COUNTRY ARE RECOGNIZING THAT DIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT.

SOME MAY NOT KNOW WHY, RIGHT?

HOW DOES IT CONTRIBUTE TO THE BOTTOM LINE, YOU HO DO DIVERSE TEAMS PERFORM BETTER.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF EDUCATION, HERE'S WHAT THE DATA SAYS, HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE DIVORCE OF -- IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY, AND HOW DO PEOPLE MAKE CONNECTIONS AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACE OUTSIDE OUR ORGANIZATIONS.

YOU KNOW, ANGELA TALKS A LOT ABOUT THE 10X RACIAL WEALTH GAP.

THAT'S DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE ABSENCE OF LEADERSHIP PIPELINES.

THE SAME CHALLENGES AROUND CREDIT AND OIRMSHIP.

-- HOMEOWNERSHIP.

LEADERSHIP IS A KEY PIECE OF THAT.

SO OFTENTIMES THE CONVERSATION GOES BEYOND THE YOUR BOARD.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF HAVING LIMITED REPRESENTATION ON YOUR BOARD OUTSIDE OF YOUR BORDERS AND I THINK THAT KIND OF DRIVES THE ISSUE HOME FOR FOLKS.

AND WE'V BEEN REALLY WELL RECEIVED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE BUSINESSES THAT WE'VE APPROACHED BY THIS PROGRAM.

>>> SO I WOULD ASSUME THAT THE MORE AFRICAN-AMERICANS THAT ARE ON BOARDS OF DIRECTORS WILL ACT AS ROLE MODELS FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE TO SAY, YES, THERE'S A ROLE FOR ME IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> YEAH, THE CLAY SHEA IS THE YOU CAN'T SEE IT, YOU CAN'T BE IT.

AND WE NEED THE YOUTH AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY TO SEE THEY CAN BE IN POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP.

I ALSO THINK BEING IN THOSE ROOMS AND SPACES, BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE A VOICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND AN ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT.

BUT ALSO IT CREATES ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE PEOPLE AND THOSE FAMILIES TO SOLVE FOR SOME OF THESE BIGGER PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.

>> JULIE, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY GAP, BECAUSE -- AND ESPECIALLY HERE IN A TV STATION, WE TALK IN TECHNICAL TERMS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY AT OUR FINGERTIPS, BUT THERE'S A GAP IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY, NOT JUST IN THE ACCESS, BUT IN THE KNOWLEDGE TO HOW TO -- WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE, HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT HELPING THOSE THAT FACE THOSE KINDS OF CHALLENGES?

>> SURE.

SO OUR ORGANIZATION DOES EXIST TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THERE WAS RENTAL ASSISTANCE COMING DOWN FROM THE STATE, OUR ORGANIZATION EVEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC HAD OUR DOORS OPEN FOR CLIENTS TO BE ABLE TO COME IN, SIT DOWN WITH THE COUNCILOR, AND BE ABLE TO -- COUNSELOR, AND BE AGE TO USE THE ONLINE PORTAL AND ENTER INFORMATION INTO THE PORTAL, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS FUNDS FOR RENTAL TO KEEP -- IN YOUR HOME INSTEAD OF FACING EVICTION.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ALSO HAVE A COMPUTER LAB IN OUR OFFICE.

OF COURSE, WITH THE PANDEMIC, WE DID HAVE LIMITED HOURS.

BUT NOW WE ARE BEING ABLE TO OPEN IT UP MORE.

SO FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN'T TO TRY AND GO ONLINE AND APPLY FOR JOBS, OR TRY AND PRACTICE, FIGURING OUT HOW TO USE WORKED AND XCEL, WE HAVE SOME SCHOOLS AND OFFICE TO ALLOW THEM TO DO THAT.

>> ANGELA, THE TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE FOR YOUR CLIENTS?

>> SPECIFICALLY, DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE FUNDED A COUPLE OF LOCAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WITH FUNDING TO UPGRADE THEIR TECHNOLOGY SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO WE GAVE A GRANT TO TRI-COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE AND ALSO TO THE MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

SO THEY CAN UPGRADE THEIR TECHNOLOGY AND EVEN BE ABLE TO HAVE LAPTOPS TO TAKE HOME WITH THERE WAS TIMES WHEN THEY HAD TO WORK REMOTELY.

SO NOT DIRECTLY TO THE RESIDENTS, BUT TO THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING THE WORK.

>> TAX PREPARATION, JULIE, HAS BEEN IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY OF RECENT AND YOU DO PROVIDE A TAX PREP SERVICE FOR INDIVIDUALS?

>> YES.

SO WE ARE A VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE SITE.

WE ARE APPROVED BY THE I.R.S.

AND SO WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED THROUGH THE I.R.S.

REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO PREPARE TAX RETURNS FOR LOW- TO MORD RATE-INCOME FAMILIES FOR INDIVIDUALS.

WE OFFER THAT AS THE COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE OF COVID IT IS APPOINTMENT-BASED AT THIS POINT.

SO IF INDIVIDUALS WANT TO REACH OUT, THEY CAN CALL OUR OFFICE AND GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR THAT.

BUT WE DO SERVE ROUGHLY ABOUT A THOUSAND FAMILIES, BOTH PEORIA AREA AND EVEN WITHIN AN HOUR'S DRIVE, JUST BECAUSE WE ARE A FREE SERVICE.

AND IT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO GET TAXES DONE.

IMPORTANT FOR SOME OF THESES- FAMILIES.

>> YEAH, ESPECIALLY WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO EITHER DIDN'T FILE OR HAVE NOT HAD TO FILE.

THE ONLY BY FILING YOUR 2020 TAX RETURNS OR YOUR 2019 TAX RETURNS CAN YOU -- 2019 TAX RETURNS -- 2021 TAX RETURNS.

STIMULUS 1 AND 2 IS THE 2020 TAX RETURNS.

STIMULUS 3 IS THE 21 AS IS THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.

>> IN TERMS OF LEGAL HELP, YOU CONNECT THEM WITH SOME LEGAL HELP?

>> SURE, SO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO POINT PEOPLE TO THE ONLINE LEGAL SELF-HELP CENTER OR WE ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO REFER CLIENTS FOR SPECIFIC SITUATIONS OVER PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL, DEPENDING ON THEIR CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> ANGELA, ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS THAT LISC DOES IS CALLED CREATIVE PLACE MAKING.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT CREATIVE PLACE MAKING IS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> CREATIVE PLACE MAKING IS BRINGING THE ARTS AND CULTURE TO A COMMUNITY.

AND SO IT IS -- IT CAN BE A MURAL.

IT CAN BE A FOAM OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY.

TO MAKE IT PERSONALIZED TO THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE.

AND IT'S A WAY OF EXPRESSING THE CULTURE AND THE COMMUNITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> SO A MURAL ON THE WALL?

>> YES.

>> AND THIS, JOSHUA, MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TAX SERVICES AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING NEEDS.

BUT THERE'S MUCH MORE FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE OF MODERATE MEANS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND I THINK -- WANT TO TOUCH ON THE POINT OF PLACE MAKING FOR A SECOND.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT DEVELOPING ECONOMY AND PARTICULARLY SOLVING FOR THE CHALLENGES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EITHER LEFT OUT OF THE ECONOMY, FORGOTTEN ABOUT, OR NOT PARTICIPATING, PLACE MAKING IS SUCH A VITAL COMPONENT.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO VISIT AROUND THE WORLD, SOMETIMES WE GET THERE AND LOOK AT THAT GREAT MONUMENT OR LOOK AT THIS PARK OR WHATEVER IT IS.

THAT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN THERE.

WAS SOME INTENTIONALITY TO DEVELOP THOSE PROGRAMS AND AMENITIES FOR COMMUNITIES.

OFTENTIMES WHEN WE THINK OF IMUPONNISHED COMMUNITIES OR DISINVESTED COMMUNITIES, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO AMENITIES OR NOTHING TO REALLY BRING JOY OR POSITIVE ASPECTS TO THE COMMUNITY.

SO PLACE MAKING IS VITAL, BUT FOR PEORIA AREA AND THE COMMUNITIES OFTEN FORGOTTEN.

AND MOST OF THE TIME THOSE THINGS ARE FREE, RIGHT?

SO THERE'S NO INCOME BARRIER FOR A FREE MARK OR A PURELY -- PARK OR A MURAL.

>> AN INTENTION OF THAT IS SPORTS AND RECREATION.

AND YOU'VE HELPED IN THE PAST WITH TRYING TO PROVIDE THAT TO YOUNG PEOPLE?

>> YES.

SO HAVING A SAFE PLACE TO PLAY IS A KEY TO A COMMUNITY.

AND LISC HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NFL AND THEY INVEST IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THEY HAVE FOOTBALL FIELDS TO IMPROVE THEM.

SO A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WE INVESTED IN EMMANUEL FOOTBALL FIELD WHERE THEY HAVE STRONG FANS BUT DID NOT HAVE ANY BLEACHERS IN THEIR FIELD.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP SOME BLEACHERS FOR THOSE WHO CAME TO ATTEND THE GAME.

>> I WANT TO TURN BACK TO THE HOUSING QUESTION, JULIE.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE YOU -- YOU OFFER SOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS BECAUSE YOU CAN OWN A HOME.

YOU CAN GET THE FINANCIAL COUNSELING, ET CETERA.

>> SURE.

>> AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU GET YOUR FIRST AM RIN BILL -- APREN BILL IN THE DEAD OF -- AM RIN OF WINTER AND OOPS -- >> WE HAVE ANOTHER PROGRAM NOW AND COMING UP AROUND THE CORNER.

INDIVIDUALS MAYBE HEARD ABOUT OUR REHAB PROGRAM AND WE HAVE WORKED AND STARTED TO WORK WITH HOMEOWNERS, PARTICULARLY LOW TO MODERATE INCOME, TO DO SOMING IN EFFICIENT UPGRADES, WHETHER THAT'S A NEW FURNACE, WINDOWS OR DOORS, OR AIR SEALING AND INSULATION IN THEIR ROOF CAVITIES TO MAKE SURE THEIR HOME IS MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT.

AND WE'LL BE OPENING UP AN APPLICATION FOR -- WE JUST RECEIVED FUNDING FOR HEALTHY HOMES PRODUCTION.

AND SO WE'LL BE WORKING AND GETTING THAT INFORMATION OUT TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THAT PROGRAM LATER THIS YEAR.

>> JOSHUA, IF I COULD HAVE YOU SIT BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT LISC HAS DONE AND ME TECH RESOURCE CENTER HAS DONE AND SOME OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, I CHOSE THESE TWO BECAUSE YOU ARE UNDER THE RADAR.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU.

AND YOU ARE MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE.

WHO DO THEY BRING TO THIS COMMUNITY FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

>> I THINK THAT BOTH OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, AND MANY OTHERS, PROVIDE VITAL SERVICES TO ADDRESS WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS MACRO LEVEL CHALLENGES THROUGH DIRECT ACTION, RIGHT.

SO RACIAL WEALTH GAP, FOR INSTANCE, IS A REALLY BIG CHALLENGE.

IT'S A MACRO LEVEL PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF MICROLEVEL WORK ON THE GROUND TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

AND MICROLEVEL WORK IS OFTEN NOT DONE IN THE SPOTLIGHT, RIGHT?

BUT ALTOGETHER WE'RE MAKING SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON INDIVIDUAL LIVES, COLLECTIVELY IMPROVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

THESE ARE TWO EXAMPLES OF THAT.

IF WE HAD A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION ABOUT THE PROBLEMS, SOMEBODY WILL SAY, BUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT, RIGHT?

AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT TWO OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ANSWERING THAT QUESTION.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE DOING ABOUT IT.

HERE'S HOW WE SOLVE THESE CHALLENGES.

>> SO IT'S THE SMALL STEPS, WHEN A CLIENT COMES IN AND THEY-EXPRR PROBLEMS.

AND YOU SAY, LET'S TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME.

AND THE -- AT THE END, WHEN YOU HELP VARIOUS NUMBER OF PEOPLE, IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> LET'S TAKE CREDIT, FOR INSTANCE.

IT DOESN'T TAKE ONE DAY TO RUIN YOUR CREDIT.

IT DOESN'T TAKE ONE DAY TO BUILD YOUR CREDIT.

SO IF SOMEONE SAYS WE HAVE A GOAL OF BEING A HOMEOWNER, THAT CAN BE 13 MONTHS FROM NOW, THAT COULD BE 18 MONTHS FROM NOW, DEPENDING ON YOUR CREDIT.

BUT WE'RE HERE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

AND WE HAVE WORKED WITH SINGLE INDIVIDUALS FOR 13 AND 18 MONTHS TO HELP BUILD THEIR CREDIT SCORE FROM A 500 UP TO OVER A 650 SO THEY COULD APPLY FOR A HOME LOAN AND GET THAT HOME LOAN.

SO IF THE INDIVIDUAL WANTS TO WORK WITH US, WE AS A COMMUNITY -- WE AS AN ORGANIZATION WILL SERVE AND WORK WITH THAT CLIENT.

>> AND ANGELA, SOMETIMES IT'S A CHALLENGE WHEN SOMEONE WALKS IN AND YOU SAY, HERE'S ONE MORE WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AND SAY, GEE WHIZ, OVER THE PAST YEAR, LOOK WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> YEAH.

I THINK FROM THE HIGHER VIEW, WHEN THERE'S DISINVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT, THE SAME WAY WHEN SOMEONE GET INTO CREDIT ISSUES.

AND SO IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A QUICK FIX.

WE NEED LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

AND SO IT'S MORE OF A MARATHON FORLY, C -- FOR LISC.

SO WE TRY TO CELEBRATE EVERY MILESTONE UNTIL WE REACH THE BIGGER PICTURE, WHEN WE SEE THE PHYSICAL REVITALIZATION OF THE COMMUNITIES.

SO SOMEONE, FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF OUR PARTNERS WAS SHARING THAT THERE WAS THIS FAMILY, THE MOTHER PASSED AWAY AND THE FATHER LIVED OUT OF TOWN.

SO THE FATHER MOVED HERE AND HE HAD TO REESTABLISH HIMSELF.

AND SO OUR PARTNER, JAW PARTNERSHIP, WAS ABLE TO CONNECT HIM WITH HOUSING BY COLLABORATING WITH PHOENIX COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

AND ALSO WORKING WITH HIP TO GET EMPLOYMENT.

SO THAT'S JUST ONE FAMILY.

BUT THERE WAS THREE ORGANIZATIONS THAT TOUCHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE TO GET THEM STABILIZED, WHERE HE CAN TAKE CARE OF HIS FAMILY.

>> JOSHUA?

>> CAN I MAKE A POINT THERE?

ONE OF THE THINGS THIS SORT OF PREMISE OF THIS CONVERSATION IS THESE FOLKS ARE BELOW THE RADAR.

AND ONE OF THE REASONS IS THE TYPE OF WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND REALLY THE TYPE OF WORK THAT WE DO AT THE COUNCIL AS WELL, IS SOLVING PROBLEMS THAT HAVE TAKEN DECADES OR GENERATIONS TO SOLVE.

AND I'LL TAKE THE CREDIT APOLOGY AND USE ONE OF MY OWN LIFE.

I GAINED WEIGHT DURING THE PANDEMIC LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE AND I STARTED WORKING OUT WITH A TRAINER, AND YOU KNOW, AFTER MY FIRST 30 DAYS, I HADN'T LOST ANY WEIGHT AND MY TRAINER IS TOOK YOU TWO YEARS TO GAIN THIS WIGHT.

SO DON'T GET MOOD AT -- MAD AT ME.

IT'S NOT MY FAULT.

BUT OVER TIME YOU START TO IMPROVE, AND YOU START TO FEEL BETTER AND THAT'S ALSO AN IMPORTANT -- AN IMPORTANT REWARD FOR THE EFFORTS THAT WE'RE MAKING.

SO I THINK A LOT OF THIS BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORK ALL COLLECTIVELY IS -- TAKES A WHILE AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY, WHAT IS LISC DOING HERE.

YOU'RE DOING ALL THIS CREDIT COUNSELING BUT ARE YOU CHANGING THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

WE STILL TURN ON THE NEWS AND SEE PROBLEMS.

BUT THOSE INDIVIDUALS LIVES ADD UP AND OVER TIME WE'LL SEE THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR.

AND IT'S ABOUT BEING COMMITTED TO THE JOURNEY, NOT NECESSARILY LOOKING FOR THE PARADE OR THE CELEBRATION.

>> AND WE DON'T DO IT OURSELVES.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> ME TECH DOES OUR NICHE AND WE SERVE HOW WE SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

WE REFER SMALL BUSINESS TO LISC.

WE PREFER FURNITURE TO ANOTHER -- REFER FURNITURE TO ANOTHER ORGANIZATION.

>> WITH THAT, TIME IS UP.

YOU CAN CHECK THE INTERNET.

OR LOOK METECH OR LIST, SC.

-- LISC.

THANK YOU TO JOSHUA GUND OF THE C.E.O.

COUNCIL, TO ANGELA BOLDEN OFLY, SC, AND TO -- OF LISC, AND JULIE, SHE'S WITH METECH RESOURCE CENTER.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> NEXT TIME WE'LL BE BACK WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "AT ISSUE," THIS TIME TALKING ABOUT A LITTLE-KNOWN BILL THAT'S GOING TO BE WELL KNOWN IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

IT'S THE CLIMATE AND EQUITABLE JOBS ACT NEXT ON "AT ISSUE."