FINAL FY23 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 5
Transforming Safety
We are thrilled to announce Williams
Soul Food
in Colorado Springs was the first recipient in our
Transforming Safety Program
to have the remaining balance on their loan forgiven.
This was feasible after Jackie and Ernest Williams
completed certain eligibility requirements including
a three-year good payment history on their loan
with CEF. Jackie and Ernest obtained their loan in
2020 to start their food truck and catering business,
marking a turning point in their lives.
Ernest had training from a culinary arts school but encountered some
difficulties that led to his incarceration in Louisiana. Following his release,
securing employment proved challenging, until he found a role as a cook
on an offshore rig in the Gulf, where he catered to large crowds. Leveraging
his expertise and Louisiana-inspired recipes, they established Williams Soul
Food in Colorado Springs, which specializes in fried catfish and chicken
tenders.
The three years during their loan had some challenging moments, but they
both learned to be patient and watch costs in order to be successful. With
their strong faith, community support, and learning how to work together,
their perseverance has paid off. The remaining two years of the loan
totaling $14,000 was forgiven in September 2023 - congratulations!
Here’s a Glimpse into the
Transforming Safety Program:
In 2017, the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, community members,
and state legislators created a bill (HB17- 1326) allocating funds to be split
between two pilot communities - north Aurora and Southeast Colorado
Springs. The focus of the bill is to change the narrative where we are investing
in businesses and communities rather than the criminal justice system.
CEF joined the Transforming Safety Program in 2020 to help transform areas
that have historically experienced a higher rate of crime and recidivism by
reinvesting in our communities with access to small business loans. This
reinvestment strategy focuses on economic development as a way to prevent
crime in the first place as communities are safer and more vibrant when local
economies are thriving.
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