An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit

By Ryan O’Connor, Director of Programs, 8 80 Cities Recently 8 80 Cities wrote a blog post about open streets being a labour of love. That being the case, the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans felt like a family reunion of sorts. It was rejuvenating to see old and new friends who share our passion for open streets and are working tirelessly to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities across the world. The event, which took place on September 15-16, brought together more than 50 leaders who currently organize open streets programs or are interested in bringing the...

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Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda

We hope you are getting ready and feel excited about the Open Streets Summit in Gretna/New Orleans! Taking place from September 15-16, 2018, the Summit will feature tours, presentations and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of starting or scaling up open streets programs, including: Route design and planning Partnerships with business and officials Social inclusion Safety and logistics Marketing and promotion Program evaluation through measurable goals and metrics If you haven’t done it yet, click here to register for the Open Streets Summit only or...

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Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced!

The Open Streets Project is proud to announce that Ed Solis from Viva Calle (San Jose, CA), Romel Pascual from CicLAvia (Los Angeles, CA), Jaymie Santiago and Charles Brown from New Brunswick Ciclovia will join us as speakers for the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans and Gretna! Taking place from September 15-16 2018, the Summit will feature: Behind the scenes tour of the City of Gretna’s inaugural open streets program. Workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Training and inspiration for both -novice and experienced- open streets organizers and supporters...

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$15 Million from Wells Fargo Will Ramp up LISC-Kiva Support for Vulnerable Small Businesses

Wells Fargo is granting $15 million to LISC to support small businesses reeling in the wake of the economic fallout from Covid. LISC will use the funds in a partnership with Kiva, the crowd-funding social impact platform, to get grants and low-cost loans to more than 2,800 entrepreneurs in urban and rural markets nationwide. The capital will be targeted at preventing further loss in revenue, sustaining employment and averting vacancies among vulnerable small business owners.

Can Bold Federal Action Head Off a Covid-19 Housing Disaster?

The United States has never seen the scale of potential housing displacement that families are facing right now. The country needs an immediate, unprecedented federal housing relief plan—with rental assistance, foreclosure protection and housing aid to state/local governments—to keep families in their homes and protect communities from deep and lasting economic scars.

Financial Opportunity Centers: Flexibility in the Face of a Pandemic

The people who run LISC’s Financial Opportunity Centers across the country are a class of essential workers who have had to think creatively and act quickly to help clients who are among those hardest hit by the brutal economic fallout of Covid-19. This is how they’ve adapted to make sure their services are reaching those who need them.