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Community Development Events

RAISE Texas Virtual Action Summit: The Roadmap to Financial Resilience

Online

Hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and RAISE Texas

COVID-19 has disrupted the lives and financial security of lower-income families and individuals. Service providers report that rampant job losses have exacerbated the pre-pandemic challenges faced by the poor and communities of color. Educators and community-based organizations have shifted how they connect with students and clients, magnifying the digital divide. Young people and working adults have sought upskilling opportunities to join and remain in the workforce. Moreover, emergency savings that could have mitigated the impact of the economic shock have been exhausted or were never there to begin with.

In the face of these challenges, however, we’ve seen communities step up to address the economic impact of COVID-19. The summit highlighted promising response models and explored three key stages to implementing solutions to break down barriers and build long-term financial resilience for vulnerable populations.

  • Stage 1: Achieving short-term financial stability
    Short-term financial stability is defined as having a financial cushion to cope with everyday disruptions. This portion of the program will explore the tools needed to support family financial security and identify gaps.
  • Stage 2: Achieving income stability
    Communities partnerships and pipelines are needed to connect clients to organizations that provide targeted curriculum, GED support, technical training, certification training and job preparation. This part of the summit will take a look at income products and services to help households keep more of their income.
  • Stage 3: Crafting emergency savings accounts
    Without savings, households have greater financial stress and may not be able to bounce back from emergency situations. This section will highlight solutions, products and platforms to help Texans better prepare for the uncertainties of life.

When

Thursday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Recordings and Resources

Day 1
Day 2

Agenda

Thursday, November 5

9 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions
  • Woody Widrow, RAISE Texas
  • Roy C. Lopez, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

9:20 a.m.

Keynote Address: Building a System to Support Financial Security for Low- and Moderate-Income Households in the Face of Financial Shocks

Stage 1: Achieving Short-Term Financial Stability

9:40 a.m.

Short-Term Financial Capability Happening Now in Texas
  • Moderator: Becca Fritze, United Way of Greater Houston
  • Zoraima Diaz, come dream, come build
  • Erika Leos, Foundation Communities

10 a.m.

Facilitated Small Group Breakout Discussions

Stage 2: Achieving Income Stability

10:50 a.m.

Workforce Development and Upskilling Needs Facing Clients Today
  • Moderator: Greg Mangum, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
  • Tamara Atkinson, Workforce Solutions Capital Area
  • Amanda Cage, National Fund for Workforce Solutions
  • Mou Sarkar, SERJobs

11:30 a.m.

Facilitated Small Group Breakout Discussions

12:15 p.m.

Adjourn

Friday, November 6

9 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions
Stage 3: Crafting Emergency Savings Accounts

9:30 a.m.

Savings is Happening: The How, When and Why!
  • Moderator: Levar Martin, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders
  • Melissa Gopnik, Commonwealth
  • Diana Rucci, Prudential Retirement
  • Karen Serna, Austin Community College

10:15 a.m.

Facilitated Small Group Breakout Discussions

11:15 a.m.

Large Group Discussion

Noon

Emergency Savings: Next Steps

12:15 p.m.

Adjourn
For More Information

Contact Anna Crockett with any questions.