Maureen Cavanaugh: The use of micro-loans to stimulate the growth of small business has been a huge boost to struggling communities around the world. People, mostly women in poor nations, have used the loans to become financially self-sufficient by starting businesses that support themselves and their families.
But it's not only people in the developing world who could use just a little bit of financial help. There are groups who are now providing micro-loans and micro-financing to start-up businesses here in the United States. And with the banks in the grip of a credit crunch, micro-lenders are stepping up to provide a service that's needed now more than ever.
The San Diego Microfinance Summit is Thursday, May 7, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of San Diego.
Guests
Elizabeth Makee, executive director of ACCION San Diego, a non-profit that provides loans for low-to-moderate income business owners.
Barbro Owens-Kirkpatrick, member of the board of the Foundation for Women, a local non-profit offering microloans in San Diego and Africa.
Christine McDannel, owner of Cleanology, a cleaning business in San Diego.
