Mission.
RCDRs Mission is to encourage community development through self-employment opportunities for low-income entrepreneurs.
Non-Profit
Vizions Economic Development Center (formerly Rural Communities Development Resources (VIZIONS)) is a nonprofit organization whose vision demonstrates a long history of commitment to improve the quality of life and economic opportunities in distressed and underserved rural communities in Central Washington State. Vizions accomplishes this by providing pathways to asset building for low- and moderate-income individuals through self-sufficiency and job creation.
The focus of these services are entrepreneurs and small business owners residing in rural, agricultural-based economies with specific emphasis on persons with limited education and English skills. Established in 1991 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Vizions is a community-based organization (CBO) whose mission is to:
“ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SELF-EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME ENTREPRENEURS”
Our Programs:
Revolving Loan Fund
The Revolving Loan Fund targets economically and socially disadvantaged low and moderate income, Spanish-speaking Hispanic and Latino persons, women entrepreneurs, and new Americans by providing capacity-building technical assistance, financial education and workshops, and access to lending products that address economic conditions in the target market by filling financing gaps with affordable capital; encourage the flow of new investment capital in underserved areas, and support asset building in low and moderate income communities. Financial products include direct loans ranging from $2,000 to $50,000 for start-up and microenterprises, and up to $250,000 to support business expansion that creates jobs for low- and moderate-income individuals. Microenterprise loans can be used to pay start-up expenses, obtain licenses, permits, pay for liability insurance and other costs for equipment, inventory and working capital.
Center for Latino Farmers
Vizions established the Center for Latino Farmers in 2001 to assist minority, beginning and other small farmers and ranchers by providing access to the low-interest direct loans from USDA’s Farmers Service Agency (FSA). VIZIONS helps applicants qualify for FSA loans by demonstrating their ability to repay the loan and provide sufficient collateral to fully secure the loan.
FSA offers loans to purchase livestock, equipment and feed; engage in conservation measures; and refinance debt. Farm Ownership Loans of up to $400,000 can be obtained to purchase farmland, construct or repair buildings and other fixtures, and promote soil and water conservation. Up to $200,000 is available for operating loans to cover payroll, supplies, feed, repairs, materials, etc. An additional $200,000 can also be borrowed to purchase equipment. VIZIONS helps the applicants package their loan applications after completing financial counseling and technical assistance.
The Center for Legal Immigration Services
A new division whose mission is “to provide a pathway for the social and civic integration of immigrants in the Yakima Valley to become part of our society and to provide a better future for their children.” Citizenship education and legal immigration services are provided through a 10-week citizenship education series.
Population(s) Served.
Ethnic and racial groups
Economically disadvantaged people
Immigrants and migrants
Ethnic and racial groups
Economically disadvantaged people
Immigrants and migrants
How we listen
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve? To identify and remedy poor client service experiences,
to identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, to make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations,
to inform the development of new programs/projects,
to identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups,
to strengthen relationships with the people we serve,
to understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals.
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out? We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people,
we aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible,
we take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us,
we look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.),
we look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.),
we act on the feedback we receive.
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback? It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback,
We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, it is difficult to get honest feedback from the people we serve.
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