Evening Conversation: Micro-lending for Immigrants in the Treasure Valley

Evening Conversation: Micro-lending for Immigrants in the Treasure Valley

Join City Club for an informative panel discussion with local experts and loan recipients on current programs, potential for expansion, current challenges, funding, public support, strategic partnerships, the recipient experience, small business opportunities for refugees, impact of loans beyond the recipients and support beyond the actual loan. 

We’re pleased to bring representatives from Economic Opportunity (EO) by Jannus-- one such program with a mission to empower the underserved to achieve economic mobility through individualized services and support. Our discussion will explore the concept of microfinance and its impact on individuals, families, and communities like ours. The Economic Opportunity team will be joined by their partner, Idaho Office for Refugees, along with a shared client, Kibrom Milash. Kibrom will tell his story of building a successful business, and explain the value EO and IOR have delivered for him and other refugees in the Treasure Valley. 

Finally, we will talk about the challenges of microfinancing and what it takes to operate a program like EO, including costs, public support, and strategic partnerships like that of Wells Fargo. In 2021, EO was awarded the Open for Business Grant by Wells Fargo to help build the capacity needed for providing technical assistance to small businesses, a critical component to client success.

The panel discussion will be moderated by City Club board member Greg Hahn. Join us at the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning classroom or via Zoom on Monday, May 9, 2022 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Panelists:

Brandon Meredith- Mountain Region VP, Wells Fargo

Kibrom Milash- Owner, Kibrom’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant 

Kelli Parker- Director, Economic Opportunity, Jannus Org.

Klaudia Saric- Business Development Specialist, EO Jannus Org.

Tara Wolfson- Director, Idaho Office of Refugees 

A companion tour will be held on Saturday, June 18th, to coincide with World Refugee Day. Specific details will be provided at the forum.

This will be a hybrid event, with limited in-person seats and virtual attendance options available via Zoom. If attending in person, please note that masks are optional.

Date: Monday, May 9, 2022

Time: 6:30  PM -8:00 PM

Location: Osher Institute at Boise State University,220 E. Parkcenter Blvd Boise, Idaho 83706 (Yanke Family Research Park)

Parking: Permits are required and will be provided via email to each registrant.

Event Cost:

In-person attendees: $15 City Club members // $20 non-members

Virtual attendees:  $5 City Club members // $8 non-members

City Club thanks our Premier Sponsor, Northwest Nazarene University and the NNU College of Business, our Annual Sponsor University of Idaho, Boise, and the 2022 Forum Series sponsors: AARP of Idaho, Bank of Idaho, Echelon Group, Optum Idaho, PacificSource Health Plans, and Small Mine Development. We are pleased to welcome university students to attend our events thanks to our University partners Boise State University and Northwest Nazarene University. Our media partners include Boise State Public Radio, Idaho Public Television and the Idaho Statesman. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

If you have any questions, call 208-364-4614 and staff can assist you.