Our Approach

Creating compassionate and equitable local economies that contribute to the well being of our communities 

Our work is about people - our neighbors, our families, ourselves.  ​

Ventures partners with rural Latino working-class families in California’s Central Coast to ensure a shared and equitable economic future for all.

Our transformational programs make certain that individuals understand and use their economic and political power. From building their savings to advocating for a living wage, our approach builds community and connects financial stability, wealth building, and self-determination. Our work creates dignity by recognizing, acknowledging, and valuing our community members’ leadership in making change happen. 

Together, we are working towards a shared and prosperous economic future where zip code, race, gender, or immigration status do not dictate income or wealth. 

We believe that:
  • Money, and how it is earned, used, and implemented to build wealth and financial systems, is a key component to building wellbeing and a vibrant society.
  • We must be intentional an explicit in our work towards racial and gender equity, as social systemic oppressions, including those based on race and gender, are replicated and augmented through the current economic system and related policies.
  • Local economies and equitable distribution of income and wealth provide the greatest return and align best in creating wellbeing.
  • Money and financing are not well understood and there is a level of mystification around the topic that prevents engagement.

We are committed to do our work in ways that:
  • are family centered and culturally appropriate;
  • remove system level barriers to economic equity;
  • provide leadership development and financial education, including for children and youth;
  • develop new financial and asset building vehicles; and
  • lift up and leverage the great work already being done.
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