Vision · Leadership · Persistence
December 2017
"Our hearts are full..."
Dear Friend:

On behalf of our dedicated staff, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support all year long.

Together with you, we look forward to making an even greater and more lasting impact on the people and neighborhoods we proudly serve.

Our hearts are full and our mission continues.

Happy Holidays!




Ricardo Flores
Executive Director

Upcoming Events
News Updates
New Partnership with LEAD San Diego
Starting in mid-January, LISC San Diego will partner with LEAD San Diego to spread the word about our recently-launched $50 million Housing Affordability Fund.

As part of the community outreach effort, six selected LEAD members will represent LISC in meeting with prospective funders and supporters in a private/public partnership intended to fund the region's affordable housing projects and reduce homelessness.

Founded more than 35 years ago, LEAD San Diego trains professionals ranging from entry-level and mid-level managers to C-level and senior executives to become civically engaged leaders in San Diego and Northern Baja. LEAD San Diego has been affiliated with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce since June 2017.
Congratulations, grads!
We would like to congratulate our four recent LISC AmeriCorps graduates -- (pictured, left to right, with certificates) Pari Ryan, Housing Development Partners; Helen Subka, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation; Cristina Martinez, Community HousingWorks; and Rosalind Ross, Community HousingWorks.

The graduates took part in LISC AmeriCorps' Housing Development Training Institute (HDTI) and Advanced HDTI sessions.

A special thank-you to Union Bank for funding the sessions.
Yes, One Can Make A Difference
Thank you to our funders
We are grateful for the continued support we receive from our funders.

This month, we thank Bank of America, OneWest Bank, and Wells Fargo for their generosity and commitment to LISC.
Tax Reform and Appropriations Update
Congress to Pass Landmark Tax Overhaul Bill this Week
As we reported last Thursday, the Senate and House Republicans reached a broad agreement on a major overhaul of the tax code. The conference report for the Tax Cuts and Job Act was released late Friday, and we can now confirm that the bill incorporates key community development provisions from the Senate bill, such as:

• Retaining without modifications the private activity bonds, including multifamily housing bonds, which are essential for the 4 percent Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC);
• Maintaining current law with respect to the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program and its authorization through 2019;
• Modifying the Historic Tax Credit by requiring the 20 percent tax credit be claimed over five years, and repealing the 10% credit for non-historic properties; and
• Creating a new tax incentive, the Investment in Opportunity Act, which permits investors to defer capital gains taxes in exchange for investing in projects located in low-income communities located in state-identified Opportunity Zones.
For more information, see the policy highlights from the Conference Committee, and this helpful side-by-side prepared by Novogradac & Company.
Next Steps: The House and Senate both need to pass the revised tax reform bill in their respective chambers before sending the final legislation to President Trump. Votes will most likely occur early this week. The President will sign the bill by Christmas.
Continuing Resolution set to Expire on December 22nd
Congress has yet to pass its FY 2018 appropriations bills, and has been operating under two separate short term Continuing Resolutions (CR), with the latest scheduled to expire on December 22nd.
The House and the Senate have offered vastly different proposals for an omnibus appropriations bill. House appropriators released a measure to cover defense spending for the rest of FY 2018, while extending current funding for the rest of the government through January 19th. The Senate may reject this offer, as many Democrats want parity between spending levels for the military and for domestic programs. In light of this disagreement between the chambers, Congress will most likely need to pass yet another short term CR in order to avoid a government shutdown at midnight on Friday.

We will keep you updated on both tax reform and FY 2018 funding. Contact us at policy@lisc.org if you have any questions.
A game-changer for community development:
LISC offers $100 million in S&P-rated bonds
Earlier this year, LISC became the first-ever Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to earn an Standard & Poor's (S&P)-rated AA bond offering—$100 million worth—to help bring capital to low-income communities.

LISC’s pioneering bond offering paves the way for more flexible investment in low-income regions. The new asset class is a game-changer that has the potential to spur broad economic opportunity in under-invested communities.
AmeriCorps: News and Member Profile Updates
Their work inspires us...
In November, AmeriCorps members Maria Angelica Aparicio (North County Lifeline) and Katie Melendez (Ivey Ranch Park Association) made presentations to fellow members about the inspiring work they contribute to their respective organizations. Well done, ladies!
A Few Minutes with...
Maria Angelica Aparicio
Financial Counselor
North County Lifeline

"When I was younger, I was in their same situation. This is my way of giving back and helping as much as I can.”
When Maria Angelica Aparicio first joined AmeriCorps four years ago, she was assigned as a financial coach to North County Lifeline (NCL), a nonprofit human services agency with sites in Vista and Oceanside. 

She’s now in her second stint with LISC-supported AmeriCorps, this time serving NCL as its financial counselor.

Founded nearly 40 years ago, NCL provides certified programs in youth development, behavioral health, housing and stability, child abuse prevention and intervention, and mediation and legal services.

The agency’s staff of psychologists, counselors and family therapists serve nearly 20,000 clients throughout the region.

A native of Mexico who grew up outside Mexico City and later graduated from Carlsbad High School, Maria is a married mother of an 5-year-old daughter. Based on her responses below, she clearly has a heartfelt devotion to helping those in need.

Q: What is North County Lifeline?
A: We’re a social service agency that has numerous outreach programs to help low-income families become more self-sufficient and self-sustaining.

Q: What do you do there?
A: As a financial counselor, I coach our clients on financial literacy, help them to understand credit, and how to fix or establish their credit rating.

Q: Why do you do what you do?
A: I do this because I know there’s a huge need for our services. I see it every day.

Q: What about your role brings you personal satisfaction?
A: When I was younger, I was in their same situation. This is my way of giving back and helping as much as I can.

Q: When you’re giving financial advice, do you find there’s resistance?
A: It’s always very hard to get people to talk about their financial situation. Usually, there are reasons that go beyond simply making enough money. I just tell them there’s nothing to be ashamed of, and that we’re here to help.

Q: You’ve been through AmeriCorps twice now. What have you learned?
A: I learned everything that I’m teaching now. I know I can make a difference.

Q: Can you pinpoint one thing you’ve learned about yourself?
A: My involvement with AmeriCorps and here at North County Lifeline has proved to me that I love helping people. And I didn’t know that about myself as much as I do now.
_________

North County Lifeline, Vista office
200 Michigan Avenue
Vista, CA 92084
760-726-4900
Stay Connected