Saint John Community Loan Fund Leads Atlantic CanadaIf you’ve ever had a great idea for a business venture but don’t know where to turn or have the resources to bring it to reality, there is a Saint John charitable group which can help. There also may be local investors who believe in their community and understand the need for capital to be available to entrepreneurs who could connect with them. Creating opportunities for work or business through unconventional sources is what the Saint John Community Loan Fund does best. This micro-lending concept is one which resulted in the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Mohammed Yunnus of Bangladesh recently.
Loan funds in Canada began primarily with business loans but have diversified to include employment loans, damage deposit loans, financial literacy training, and bridge loans to non-profits, savings programs, mentorship and affordable housing development. In Canada, there are over 40 micro-loan funds or community lenders with assets of over ten million dollars. They fill gaps in the lending environment and help communities tap human potential and the potential of ethical capital.
The Saint John Community Loan Fund has been soliciting investments to build its capital since 1999 to help individuals create income, build assets and attain greater self-reliance. It provides: business loans, employment loans and shelter loans (for damage deposits or arrears), business plan training, (in cooperation with the YM-YWCA) and financial literacy training (the Money Matters program). Loans help individuals in their effort to create economic independence and self-reliance. It enables them to regain pride and a feeling of self-worth.
The Loan Fund promotes community investing to build its loan pool and donations to safe-guard the loan pool against losses. It has never lost an investors money. It has an impressive track record of more than 148 loans for a total value greater than $180,000. By helping people end reliance on Provincial Income Assistance, families become self-sufficient, saving the provincial government approximately $450,000 in social assistance payments and circulating over $3,000,000 in new income.
Shelley McLaughlin has new optimism, thanks to a loan which helped her move from Charlotte County to be nearer medical treatment for her husband and a new job. “The Loan Fund allowed us to start a new and better life” she says. Jason Pineau and Robyn Calvin own Precision Painting and needed help to manage and expand their venture. “It has been a great educational experience working with (the Loan Fund)” Jason adds.
Bob Boyce just retired as Board Chairman after three years of community service. “We believe strongly in investing locally. We also believe everyone has a right to earn an adequate income for themselves and their families” he states. Louise Beland, the new Chair, is equally committed. Seth Asimakos, the Loan Fund’s Manager, has been an instrumental figure at the Loan Fund since its inception. His key message is “investing in your community makes sense”. The Board is high in its praise of his exceptional dedication to their mission.
In 2003, the Loan Fund, with support from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, developed a business plan for a multi-use complex with affordable housing, a daycare, Loan Fund office, training room and an incubator. Single parents, mostly women, continue to be the most vulnerable population in Greater Saint John with the highest incidence of poverty and the greatest need for housing and support services. This week, at the Loan Fund’s Annual General Meeting, it was announced that this project is one step closer to becoming reality.
The Greater Saint John Community Foundation has been a consistent contributor, recently donating $8,000, to join a generous anonymous donor and other funders to help purchase a building on Prince Edward Street, which will become their new office plus meeting rooms and residential units on the upper floors. This has been a project close to Bob Boyce’s heart and will help with the re-vitalization of this vulnerable neighbourhood. The Teen Resource Centre and the YM-YWCA are new neighbours and other investments are happening close by which are cause for encouragement.
A $210,000 loan capital campaign led by Louise Beland and Margaret-Ann Blaney, MLA, Gerry Pond and Lesley Oland is entering year three and has been successful in raising capital from the Towns of Quispamsis and Grand Bay-Westfield, Saint John Energy and other generous donors. The Co-operators, Family and Community Services NB, Canadian Women’s Foundation, the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation, the Saint John Human Development Council and the NB Women’s Issues Branch are valued supporters.
Also announced at the AGM were the local artists and photographers who have been constant supporters of the Loan Fund’s four year old greeting card project, an innovative fundraiser. Marjorie Hamilton and Brian Duplessis have been recognized for their singular volunteer efforts. This year, Ed Coleman, Beth Powning, Herzel Kashetsky and Patricia Tingley will donate their creations to be auctioned off and featured on the cards at an October 15 event. The amount of $12,000 was raised last year, thanks to volunteers and featured contributors Ray Butler, Irene Guerette, Holly McKay, Freeman Patterson.
As the only community loan fund in Atlantic Canada, the Saint John Community Loan Fund continues to be recognized as a leader in community investment and economic development. For two years, the Loan Fund coordinated the Atlantic office for the Canadian Community Economic Development Network and was a key player nationally in creating the Canadian Community Investment Network.
