Microfinancing Abroad and in Washington State

Steve Scher
03/05/2009 at 10:00 a.m.

Microfinancing gives poor and low–income people access to loans and other banking services. Around the world these loans have helped people start businesses and stabilize their families. How does it work? Could similar programs help Western Washington during the recession? Who has already received help locally? Also, since the United States remains one of the richest countries in the world, is it more important to remain outwardly focused?

Related Event

Matt Flannery will speak at Seattle's Town Hall tonight (Thursday) at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Guest(s)

Matt Flannery is the co–founder and CEO of Kiva, the first person–to–person micro–lending Website ever created. They make micro–loans to individuals all over the world.

Cheryl Sesnon is the executive director of Washington CASH, a Community Alliance for Self–Help. The local group offers financing opportunities and job training to low–income individuals.

Beto Yarce is the Latino Business Specialist and Outreach Coordinator at Washington CASH. He also owns Cintli, a Mexican jewelry store in Pike Place Market, which he has partly funded with microloans.

Jill Paull is the head of Island Green Clean, an eco–friendly cleaning business. She founded it in March 2005, with loans from Washington CASH.