About the Asset Building Coalition
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Uniting Forsyth County to raise awareness about asset poverty, its effects on individuals, families, and our community overall.
Mission
To build, rebuild, and protect the assets of residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina.
Vision
A community where all people have an opportunity for financial stability.
The Asset Building Coalition is working to…
Educate
We educate and promote awareness about the individual and family impacts of asset poverty, as well as the community-level impacts.
Coordinate
We coordinate community-wide collaborative initiatives, including Forsyth Saves, Forsyth Living Wage, Financial Education Best Practices, and an Asset-Building Policy & Advocacy Platform.
Connect
We connect our community to action, providing volunteer opportunities for individuals and membership opportunities for businesses and organizations.
Empower
We empower individuals, businesses, and organizations as champions for a more asset-resilient Forsyth County through connection to a wide range of resources and financial services.
Our Coalition is 24 Members Strong, and Growing.
Atkinson
Collaborative Enterprise
The CAREs Project
Individual Members
Karl F. Yena, Nonprofit Consultant
Neil Allerton, Financial Advisor Edward Jones
Staff
Vivian Pérez Chandler
Executive Director
Pérez Chandler is a Guatemalan native that has called Winston-Salem home for almost 19 years. Her advocacy work focuses on equity, knowledge, and education. “When we think of how our social constructs have dismissed groups of people, we must fight for equity not equality. Equity will be what provides quality public education among our communities and an ecosystem of knowledgeable individuals who know and understand the career paths they can take to find success.” Vivian was the former Latino Achievers Director at the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina where she worked with middle and high school students in Forsyth County. Her passion to serve the community has been highlighted by the measurable outcomes demonstrated throughout her seven years of working in the non-profit sector. She grew the program she led by 300% over three years and has raised over $30,000 in individual donations to support scholarships for high school seniors looking to pursue higher education. Pérez Chandler serves on the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hispanic/Latino Affairs, the boards for Love Out Loud and The Shalom Project, and on the Forsyth County Advisory Council at the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. Vivian received the Winston Under 40 Leadership Award in 2019, a Youth Development Award highlighting the growth of YMCA program participants in NC and SC, and the statewide Latino Diamante Award for her state-wide efforts in the area of Education for the Hispanic/Latino community. Vivian holds a bachelor’s degree in Public and Non-Profit Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and resides in Forsyth County with her husband Nicholas Chandler and their fur puppy, Ella. She enjoys traveling, running, and sharing special moments with family and friends.
Board of Directors
OFFICERS
Kelly Mitter
Board Chair, Marketing and Membership Committee Chair;
Chief Operating Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County
Phyllis Caldwell-George
Secretary;
President & CEO, Financial Pathways of the Piedmont
Ryan Gerace
Treasurer;
Director of Finance, Financial Pathways of the Piedmont
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Adam Hill
Benchmark and Evaluations Committee Chair
Executive Director, Forsyth Futures
Brittney Gaspari
Advocacy and Public Policy Committee Chair;
Vice President of Community Investment, Winston-Salem Foundation
Lisa Terry
Financial Capabilities Committee Chair;
Money Management and Education Director, Financial Pathways of the Piedmont
Dan Kornelis
Community and Economic Development Director, Forsyth County Government
Maegan Gomez
Quality Education Schools
Mellin Parker
Senior Project Supervisor, City of Winston-Salem
Victor Isler
Director, Forsyth County Deparment of Social Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ABC a non-profit organization?
The ABC is currently working toward attaining 501(c)3 nonprofit status. We anticipate meeting this milestone by early 2020.
Why was the coalition formed?
It was formed in response to a research study that showed rates of poverty, asset poverty, poor credit, and lack of savings worse in our area that in many other places in the state and nation. [2012 MEOP study by the Center for Enterprise Development (CFED), Washington DC.]
What does the Coalition hope to achieve?
We hope that our conscious and sustained collective awareness about and connected activities to specifically address asset poverty will be more effective than the lone activities of each member.
What is the income cutoff level for asset poverty?
There is none, really. A family can have a generous income, but if they have no savings, no home equity, and no other assets, they are living in asset poverty.
How are the activities of the Coalition funded?
The Coalition is a voluntary collaboration. Its members contribute time, expertise, office supplies, and so on. Members pay a small fee which helps offset some costs. We have also received financial and in-kind support from foundations, banks, and others in the community.
Is the Coalition an advocacy organization?
We raise awareness of public policy and legal issues that may enhance or threaten the ability of North Carolinians to build and protect wealth.
Can I give a tax-free donation to the ABC?
Yes. You can do this by giving a gift or grant to any non-profit member of the Coalition and designating that it be used for specific materials, activities or other direct costs related to the Coalition.
Is the ABC part of a national network?
Yes and No. We are solely a local creation, however we serve as one of 93 Community Champions across the country with Prosperity NOW. And we are a member of the statewide advocacy initiative NC Assets Alliance.
What is asset poverty?
When a family does not have enough resources set aside to meet, in the absence of income, their basic needs for three months, they are asset poor.
Who can join the coalition?
Any individual, business, or nonprofit whose interests and activities are in keeping with the mission and vision of the Coalition.
How are the activities of the Coalition funded?
The Coalition is a voluntary collaboration. Its members contribute time, expertise, office supplies, and so on. Members pay a small fee which helps offset some costs. We have also received financial and in-kind support from foundations, banks, and others in the community.
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