Rural LISC

06/12/2026

Crossing into Indiana on our , we arrive in Huntington, a community where access to opportunity is shaped by strong local partnerships and inclusive support systems.

This stop highlights the work of Pathfinder - To The Fullest, which has been empowering individuals and strengthening communities since 1966. With a mission centered on fostering self-reliance and inclusion for people of all abilities, Pathfinder delivers a broad range of services - including employment support, affordable housing, early childhood education, disability services, and financial wellness programs.

By adapting its approach to meet the specific needs of each community, Pathfinder helps individuals and families navigate barriers and access opportunities that support long-term stability. Its commitment to equity and inclusion ensures that services are not only available, but accessible and responsive.

This stop highlights how inclusive, community-driven organizations can expand opportunity by meeting people where they are and building systems that support success for all.

See snapshots of the entire virtual roadtrip at the homepage of the Rural FOC network, https://www.lisc.org/rural/our-work/workforce-development/financial-opportunity-center/

06/03/2026

Continuing our west across northwest Ohio, we reach Defiance, a regional hub serving surrounding rural communities where access to coordinated services is critical for long-term stability.

This stop highlights the work of Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission, which has supported low-income families across six counties since 1965. With a mission centered on reducing poverty and promoting self-sufficiency, NOCAC delivers a broad portfolio of services - from early childhood education and housing assistance to financial empowerment, free tax preparation, and emergency support.

Serving Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Van Wert, and Williams Counties, NOCAC operates at scale - backed by a team of over 140 staff, a cross-sector governing board, and nearly $14 million in funding. Through strong partnerships and regional coordination, the organization continues to expand access to resources across a wide rural footprint.

This stop underscores how multi-county organizations can drive impact by aligning services, leveraging partnerships, and meeting community needs at both the individual and systems level.

See snapshots of the entire virtual roadtrip at the homepage of the Rural FOC network, https://www.lisc.org/rural/our-work/workforce-development/financial-opportunity-center/

06/02/2026

"AAPI entrepreneurs contribute to Rural economies in ways that are often under-recognized in national conversations," writes Ephraim Palmero, MSCID, in an blog post for Rural LISC.

From seafood businesses along the Gulf Coast to agricultural entrepreneurs and family-owned small businesses rooted in local communities, here's how AAPI entrepreneurs are helping shape the economic and cultural fabric of Rural America - and how we're working with our Business Development Organization partners to support them.

AAPI entrepreneurs continue to contribute to rural economies in ways that are often underrecognized in national conversations. From seafood businesses along the Gulf Coast to agricultural entrepreneurs and family-owned small businesses rooted in local communities, these entrepreneurs are helping sha...

05/29/2026

The Ozarks are a great place to celebrate and our partners at Ozarks Small Business Incubator () are great partners to celebrate with!

OzSBI's LaunchU program helps entrepreneurs like Mary Palmer of Mary's Little Lambs strengthen their operations, expand their reach and build a more sustainable business.

Learn more about our BDO partnerships at https://www.lisc.org/rural/our-work/workforce-development/business-development-organizations/

05/28/2026

Today we're celebrating down on the bayou with Coastal Communities Consulting, Inc. (CCC) in Gretna, Louisiana.

CCC works with Louisiana's small seafood producers to develop strategies to grow and adapt in a changing world. Thanks to support from LISC and American Express, they're able strengthen and diversify the income streams of agricultural entrepreneurs.

Learn more about our work with BDOs at https://www.lisc.org/rural/our-work/workforce-development/business-development-organizations/

05/27/2026

Happy ! We're celebrating by featuring of our partners. Rural BDOs like Mountain BizWorks Works in Asheville, NC are critical in developing the infrastructure and know-how to support and Entrepreneurs in Rural Communities.

Learn more about our work with BDOs at https://www.lisc.org/rural/our-work/workforce-development/business-development-organizations/

05/27/2026

Continuing through northwest Ohio, we arrive in Findlay, a community where housing, workforce, and financial stability are closely connected.
This stop highlights the work of Habitat for Humanity of Findlay, Ohio, an organization focused on building stability through affordable housing, critical home repairs, and neighborhood revitalization. Their work goes beyond construction - supporting long-term outcomes for individuals and families across the community.
Through its Financial Opportunity Center® program, Habitat expands this impact by offering financial coaching, employment support, digital literacy, and free tax preparation. Open to all community members, the FOC removes common barriers to access - ensuring individuals can engage in services without income or time restrictions.
By pairing housing with financial capability and workforce support, this approach creates a more complete pathway to economic security.
This stop highlights how housing-focused organizations can deepen their impact by connecting stability at home with stability in finances and employment.

See snapshots of the entire virtual roadtrip at the homepage of the Rural FOC network, https://www.lisc.org/rural/our-work/workforce-development/financial-opportunity-center/

05/26/2026

In collaboration with our friends at Jobs for the Future (JFF), our Workforce & Financial Prosperity team hosted a refresher session on Skills-Based Career Navigation for our network partners. Led by JFF's Tracey Everett, attendees discussed skills-based career navigation principles, how they see these show up in their current employment coaching, and learned about relevant tools to support job seekers in navigating non-linear job-to-job progression and career advancement opportunities. Relevant tools included JFF's "Get Better Results for Jobseekers with Generative AI" and Google's Career Dreamer.

05/20/2026

Did you know that hundreds of thousands of Rural families are at risk of losing their affordable homes forever, unless Congress passes the Rural Housing Service Reform Act (HR 4957/S. 1260)?

In an article in Shelterforce, Mark Kudlowitz, LISC's Senior Director of Policy, explains how passing this bill can help revitalize and preserve USDA’s Rural Housing Service Section 515 program - and why it matters for every Rural community.

The federal rural rental assistance program would be extended in the proposed federal housing bills—with an important rule change.

05/20/2026

Rural LISC staff led by Dr. Moriah Shiddat, Ph.D and our partners participated in the Understanding Heirs’ Property at the Community Level Train-the-Trainer in Atlanta, hosted by the Southern Rural Development Center at Mississippi State University. The multiday program equips practitioners with practical tools to help families understand heirs’ property, prevent future ownership challenges through estate planning and education, and address existing heirs’ property issues that drive land loss and housing instability.

Participation supports Rural LISC’s Southern Rural Housing Initiative and builds on our JPMorgan Chase–funded Scaling Heirs’ Property work. Rural LISC partner organizations represented included SEASHA, Community Housing Improvement Program, Inc. (CHIP), Communities Unlimited, and Southside Outreach Group reflecting growing networkwide momentum to address heirs’ property as a critical housing and land retention issue in rural communities.