Rockford CDFI Set-back

Since June 2020 I’ve been actively supporting a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) in Rockford. Such an institution would funnel federal capital into our low income, marginalized neighborhoods — neighborhoods that aren’t served by our standard banks.

Working with local people, I joined an existing group that had worked for several years on this project. But in August, I learned that the financing fell through. That project is probably dead.

It’s back to the drawing board. I’ll attend the Green Town event on Friday, networking to find people interested in this project, and, in particular marginalized people. This project needs to be “owned” by the people who will be served, not by white, privileged liberals, like me.

While attending the annual conference of OFN (Opportunity Finance Network, an association of over 300 CDFI’s) I saw a familiar name — Kira Wilke, daughter of Duane and Sue, who was born the day before my daughter, Erin Dajka. She was attending as a member of a CDFI in Boston, Children’s Investment Fund, that works with child care in low-income areas. We chatted by Zoom and set up a meeting.

It was really great to connect personally with Kira. And it was gratifying to discuss CDFI’s with someone who lives with one daily.

Submitted by Teresa Wilmot