by admin | Sep 25, 2019 | Success Stories
Michael Carney started The Front Porch as a hobby business in 2014 that repurposed and restored vintage furniture and home décor pieces. He and his wife, Irma, had the vision of expanding this business into a local shop. Financing for start-up businesses can be extremely hard to obtain. Chi Ishobak was able to provide business development resources and loan capital for this new venture. With financing in place, the Carney’s were able to secure and build-out retail space, obtain necessary inventory, fixtures, and equipment to open their doors to the public. Their new location has access to numerous community functions and foot traffic that will bring a variety of customers into the store.
“It has been amazing having the Chi Ishobak team believe in our dream just as much as we do and refreshing knowing that they sincerely care about our success,” added Michael and Irma. “Chi Ishobak pushed us to think about all aspects of opening and operation a thriving business.”
by admin | Sep 25, 2019 | Success Stories
Wayne Roberts, along with his family, Jordan, Justin, Meagan, and Julie, founded Great Lakes Flooring Specialists, Inc. in 2015. Despite his over 35 years of commercial flooring experience and the company’s growing reputation, Wayne’s business was a start-up, which unfortunately meant that many financial institutions were reluctant to work with him, except for Chi Ishobak. They worked with Great Lakes Flooring Specialists to develop their business plan, financial projections, and growth strategy to ultimately secure financing that will allow them to obtain additional larger contracts.
“From the start, Chi Ishobak welcomed us as family rather than clients,” Julie Roberts said, “Making such a daunting process simple and easy, we couldn’t be more excited for our partnership with them.”
by admin | Sep 25, 2019 | Uncategorized
Chi Ishobak has structured a personal financial management program that is unique to Native American citizens. It is the goal of Chi Ishobak to provide citizens with the tools necessary to manage personal financial resources properly. Addressing fundamental areas such as savings, communication with money, budgeting, debt-management, and buying behavior can help citizens establish healthy financial habits. Looking back to the successful techniques of our ancestors gives us all the information and strength needed to be successful in today’s environment.
Financial Wellness Workshops
Financial Wellness Workshops – These are held regularly at the Pokagon Band Community Center. The atmosphere is positive and relaxed; the solutions are practical and relevant. There are no sign-up fees or registration required. Click here for a current workshop schedule.
Individual Financial Coaching
Individual Financial Coaching – One-on-one coaching is available for those citizens seeking more extensive applications. Chi Ishobak will assist in preparing a working budget, allocated spending plan, debt-reduction plan, and/or savings plan. More importantly, behaviors that affect individual and family finances will be identified and adjusted accordingly. Building individual and family financial capacity is a key to strengthening our community from within.
by admin | Sep 25, 2019 | Upcoming Events
Chi Ishobak is introducing an updated financial education program for Pokagon Band citizens, families, and employees. More than just information, this program is designed to identify financial behaviors and the cultural relevance associated with those behaviors. This workshop will cover six components that address the basic aspects of personal financial management and provide participants with the tools and processes to take control of their financial health. These areas include: savings, communication, budgeting, debt, and credit building.
Classes meet from 10 A.M. – 2 P.M.
Dates coming soon!
The Community Center
27043 Potawatomi Trail, Dowagiac, MI 49047
- Lunch will be provided
- There is no registration fee
- Please call to confirm attendance
For more information, please contact us at (269) 783‐4157 or at info@chiishobak.org
by admin | Sep 25, 2019 | News
October 2, 2017
Dowagiac, MI – Sean Winters, Executive Director of Chi-Ishobak, announced that the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program awarded $562,000 to the Michigan-based non-profit organization to offer products and services to build capacity for Tribal Citizens in the areas of professional and personal finance.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Chi-Ishobak,” said Winters. “This is the largest grant we have received from the NACA program, and will help us provide tremendous opportunity to our tribal citizens – both personally, and for those wanting to start or are in business.”
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) was established to expand economic opportunity for underserved people and communities by supporting the growth and capacity of a national network of community development lenders, investors, and financial service providers. The CDFI Fund’s Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program) was created specifically to help Native Communities thrive and grow by increasing their access to credit, capital, and financial services.
“We are very pleased to announce the FY 2017 CDFI Program and NACA Program award recipients. This is the largest pool of awardees in the history of the CDFI Fund,” said CDFI Fund Director Annie Donovan. “These award recipients represent a diverse array of organization types and community investment strategies, serving a broad spectrum of communities.”
Overall, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded 303 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) $208.7 million in awards, including $15.6 million being awarded to 38 Native CDFIs for financial and technical assistance.
Awards from the NACA Program facilitate the creation and advancement of Native CDFIs and can be used for lending capital, loan loss reserves, capital reserves, financial services, and development services.
About Chi-Ishobak
Chi Ishobak is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 2009 promote the improvement of the financial capacity of all Tribal members by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence that they need to make informed judgments and to make effective decisions with respect to their current and future personal and household circumstances. Chi Ishobak provides tribal citizens with the tools and opportunities needed for meaningful lives and self-sufficiency, whether through employment, self-employment, or traditional life-ways.
By building capacity for Tribal Citizens, Chi Ishobak is helping rebuild the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi as well as Indian Country into supportive and nurturing communities, strong in language and culture.
For more information: www.chiishobak.org
About the NACA Program
The origin of the Native Initiatives can be traced back to 1994 when Congress mandated, through the CDFI Fund\’s authorizing statute, a study on the lending and investment practices in Native Communities. The findings revealed that Native American, Native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian communities face unique challenges to economic growth. These obstacles include heightened barriers to accessing capital and basic financial services, as well as increased difficultly interacting with private and public sector programs. With this in mind, the CDFI Fund created the Native Initiatives to further support the creation and expansion of Native CDFIs. Native CDFIs help Native Communities thrive and grow by increasing their access to credit, capital, and financial services. The Native Initiatives program uses a combination of financial, technical assistance, and training to build the capacity of CDFIs serving Native Communities.
