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Edwin Arellano headshot and Latino Coalition logo
Category: Small Business

Creating Connections, Opening Opportunities

Discover how ICCC inspired one nonprofit to think differently in reaching and serving their clients.

By Kim Borges | August 7, 2024

Edwin Arellano works in the hope business.

“We call it ‘esperanza,’” said the executive director of the Latino Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “Seeing people change their lives, it’s incredible. We see lives restored.”

And thanks to insights Arellano gained from a small-business workshop Regions Bank brought to Indianapolis in 2021, he’s uncovered ways to restore even more.

The program providing that inspiration? Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC), a tuition-free, “mini-MBA on steroids” established by Harvard professor Dr. Michael Porter in 2005. Regions Bank has supported ICCC for a decade, sponsoring the interactive workshop for under-resourced entrepreneurs in Houston, St. Louis and Nashville, among other cities.

Next up? Miami this October.

Arellano learned about the ICCC Indy cohort from Regions’ Indiana Community Relations officer Schiela Peña.

“Schiela invited us to participate because she trusts our organization and knew we could benefit from it,” he said.

“ICCC offers participants access to nationally renowned presenters sharing innovative concepts in a room filled with fellow small-business leaders facing the same challenges they do,” said Peña. “We encouraged Edwin to apply given the results we’ve seen the program deliver.”

Steve Grossman, CEO of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, the nonprofit that conducts ICCC, witnesses those transformations occur for small businesses every day. He notes the program is often especially a gamechanger for nonprofits facing a heightened demand for services combined with limited resources.

ICCC offers participants access to nationally renowned presenters sharing innovative concepts in a room filled with fellow small-business leaders facing the same challenges they do.” Schiela Peña, Regions’ Indiana Community Relations officer

“The impact of the ICCC program extends far beyond the for-profit sector,” said Grossman. “By participating in ICCC, organizations like the Latino Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence gain access to critical education, innovative strategy and a network of peers, empowering them to expand their reach and enhance their impact in the communities they serve. We are proud to support leaders like Edwin Arellano, whose dedication to growth continues to inspire and transform lives.”

Arellano is the first to tell you he’s a lifelong learner, making him eager to participate in the ICCC session. Education has been at the heart of his role at the Latino Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence since his arrival at the nonprofit 14 years ago.

“I was hired to develop a report about Latino service providers for domestic and sexual abuse survivors,” he explained. “When I started, we had one and a half staff members, two programs and a little, little office. Then, we started to really work to create a vision.”

We are proud to support leaders like Edwin Arellano, whose dedication to growth continues to inspire and transform lives. Steve Grossman, CEO of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

Arellano quickly transitioned into the executive director role, where he’s since helped grow the nonprofit to seven full-time employees, five programs and three large annual events. In the past year alone, the Coalition served over 2,200 clients across Indiana through its training classes and workshops covering topics like leadership and mentorship, computer skills, financial education classes taught by Regions team members and more.

The Coalition also provides training and resources to nonprofits, crisis centers, hospitals, clinics and more who serve domestic and sexual abuse survivors.

“We work with advocates, nurses, teachers, attorneys and social workers,” explained Arellano. “We’re now training more than 3,800 service providers in Indiana, and our goal is to reach 5,000 in the next year. Our vision is to lead Latina women’s issues in Indiana.”

Related to his ICCC Indy training, Arellano had three key takeaways:

  1. “One of the most important was connecting to others,” he said. “If you want to have your organization grow, it’s very important to connect with other people, other leaders. It’s very important to let other people know what you do, what your organization does.”
  2. “Secondly, be specific; measure all you’ve accomplished. Make sure to have your numbers and have them ready. Numbers communicate better. Any goal you have has to be measured.”
  3. “Learn more about how to use and leverage technology systems and tools. Being closer to the clients we serve through information was a piece of what we learned.”Three Key Takeaways infographic

 

The third takeaway inspired Arellano to adopt a new platform allowing the Coalition to send messages directly to clients’ phones rather than their computers.

We work with advocates, nurses, teachers, attorneys and social workers. We’re now training more than 3,800 service providers in Indiana, and our goal is to reach 5,000 in the next year. Our vision is to lead Latina women’s issues in Indiana. Edwin Arellano, executive director of the Latino Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

“Now, when we write messages, with just one click, we can share with 100, 300, 3,000 or even 10,000 people,” he said. “It’s effective and it allows our clients to have immediate and direct access with us as well.”

For entrepreneurs considering applying for the upcoming ICCC Miami session, Arellano is encouraging.

“For sure, you’re going to learn something new,” he said. “They were great speakers, great topics. You never know when connecting with others will help you or help with your job. By connecting with others, you’re opening your opportunities.”

Opening opportunities is exactly what Arellano and team are doing for the clients the Coalition serves.

“When we see women grow as a person, as a mother, that’s my best reward,” he said. “We have to see life changed or it’s not complete.”

Nominate a small-business or apply to participate in the ICCC Miami session.

Discover additional insights entrepreneurs have gained thanks to ICCC.

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