What the Media are Saying about Mercy Corps Northwest

Featured Article: “Acupuncturist gets start with Mercy Corps’ help”

by Molly Walker, Yamhill Valley News Register, December 18th, 2011

Acupuncturist Lisa Pool talks about some of the specialty products
she uses to treat clients.

After completing four years of acupuncture training, Lisa Pool spent two years on the staff of Cascade Acupuncture in Hood River.

She said it was an amazing experience, but she longed to return to the Portland area. So she took the leap when an opportunity arose back home.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. So she began looking around for a town where she could hang out her own shingle.

In conjunction with that, she began seeking a source of financing. And she found one in Mercy Corps Northwest, a separate nonprofit for which Mercy Corps is the parent company. Mercy Corps Northwest works to assist low-income people throughout Oregon and in areas of Washington by increasing their economic self-sufficiency and community through microenterprise development and self-employment.

Pool was accepted into the agency’s micro loan program, headed up by Scott Onder, its lending and strategy manager.

The program lends relatively small amounts, up to $50,000, generally to businesses with five or fewer employees. Loans average about $10,000.

The money is packaged to include training and technical services, which are designed to provide a support structure for clients and improve their prospects.

Pool said both her income level and extenuating circumstances - she has a partner who is chronically ill - made her eligible.

“He believed in me,” she said of Onder. “I’m just like everyone who comes out of school with the debt of student loans.”

On paper, she said, she looks like a risky bet for a loan.

But she said Mercy Corps took an old-school approach, factoring in her background, professional experience and skill set.

After qualifying for financing, she connected through her mother with McMinnville naturopath Dr. Bruce Dickson, who owns the Key to Health Clinic at 119 N.E. Third St. He had space available, and after meeting with him and his staff, she decided it could work.

In the fall of 2010, Pool told Mercy Corps officials, “I think I can make this happen. I’ve found a spot.”

Before long, she opened Blue Sky Acupuncture.

“With hard work - plus faith from Mercy Corps and help from Dr. Dickson - here I am,” she said. “I’ve almost paid off my loan and am supporting my family.”...

Read Full Article on Yamhill Valley News Register

 

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