From the exact same North Side road as being a check casher and a rent-to-own socket, you could miss it or mistake it for a storefront church.
But inspite of the unimposing room, Grace Period — a nonprofit that produces little loans to its clients and needs them to agree to saving cash — boasts 1,800 people. Final 12 months it made $1.5 million in loans, a hundred or so dollars at the same time. Having exposed its doorways, the corporation recently relocated to a larger workplace at 632 E. Ohio St. Its new part location has more exposure, which will be crucial because the nonprofit functions such as for instance a store.
Unlike a complete large amount of companies in struggling communities, nevertheless, Grace Period is supposed never to benefit from pecuniary hardship, but to help individuals from the jawhorse.
“It really is a great place,” claims Frank Freeman, 59, a retired steelworker who looked to Grace Period as he “started falling just a little quick” between their month-to-month retirement checks. “If you’ll need a small cash, and you also desire a hand, they are able to allow you to out.”
In a lot of areas, somebody in Freeman’s place might have small option but to show to an alleged “payday” loan provider. (more…)
