South Phoenix Ambassadors Join Forces with RDF
South Phoenix is home to a very diverse community and has done its best to keep pace with the growing city of Phoenix. I was born and raised in South Phoenix, and am proud of its growth and many changes over the years. Going to school and living in the South side has opened my eyes to both the positive aspects of our strong culture and community but also the many needs it has in order to provide the quality of life that I have seen so many strive for not only for themselves but for future generations to come. …
Back to School: Through the Eyes of Many
Getting ready to go back to school has always been a thrilling experience. Getting all the school supplies needed, meeting new teachers, meeting new students, and the first day of school. It’s like starting a new chapter in your life. The excitement and the nerves are so surreal. Little did we know the school year of 2020-21 would be a year to remember for other reasons. At the beginning of all this madness, I was all for doing online school, until I started. The feeling of being overwhelmed has taken over in the short amount of time school has begun. …
CDFIs and The Element of Trust within Communities
Raza Development Fund is the largest Latino Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in the country. RDF has had the privilege of serving majority-Latino and majority-Minority communities throughout the country for years. With nearly $400 million in total assets, RDF has continually been able to address the needs of under-served communities throughout the country. However, RDF is a unique CDFI in that the model under which RDF operates allows for continual community growth and economic advancement. Even as RDF grows and expands into different markets, it never truly lost sight of the “community” aspect of a CDFI, and I have had …
A Virtual UnidosUS Conference From the Eyes of An RDF Intern
The UnidosUS Annual Conference gives participants from all over the U.S. a meeting ground to discuss and focus on topics that address pressing issues that Latinos face daily. This year was unique—they went to a virtual format, keeping everyone safe, without losing momentum and still moving the agenda of the Latino community forward. We had the opportunity to hear from prominent leaders about a variety of key topics like the importance of health insurance, phenomenal Latinas, and voting. For me, it was empowering to learn about current events and problems that are affecting many people. The virtual conference was held …
What is the Role of Hope in Community Development?
When I was eight years old, I looked forward to playing football. One day I was at Hermoso Park for our flag football practice when suddenly two young black men bolted through our practice field towards the back of the park. A cop car immediately drove onto the field and apprehended one of them. I remember looking around at our team of eight-year-olds and telling my coach, “I hope we can still keep playing.” My coach looked at me and said, “I hope this park can, one day, be safe enough for children to play football.” We never practiced at …
