Over 100 program graduates!
This month, we surpassed 100 program graduates of Exodus Lending! That’s 100 of our neighbors who no longer dread payday, watching their hard-earned check evaporate into the pockets of predatory lenders. Instead, that’s 100 people who can breathe easier, knowing their payday debt is gone, and they can focus on their bigger financial goals. Now, 100 Minnesotans just like us are finally free from payday loan debt, once and for all.
We rejoice the success of these 100 while knowing there are hundreds and hundreds more are still caught up in this vicious cycle. The problem of payday lending is still prevalent in Minnesota, as demonstrated in this segment on payday lending in MPR News (includes a shout-out to Exodus Lending!). We continue to enroll new participants nearly every day, and have recently surpassed 200 program participants! While the seasons change, our commitment to Minnesotans to help them break free from payday loans is evergreen.
Advocating for Change
We not only celebrate our accomplishments but look to the work ahead of us in our continued quest to eradicate predatory lending, in Minnesota and beyond. In mid-September, our executive director, Sara Nelson-Pallmeyer, was invited to speak about Exodus Lending at an event in Fargo, North Dakota. Elected officials, community leaders and others concerned about the problem of payday lending gathered to discuss ways to address the issue in North Dakota. Sara commented afterward, “It was encouraging and inspiring to be with others who are also working to free folks in their communities from payday loan debt — both in the legislative arena and on an individual basis.”
Staff also spent several days at the Mary’s Pence Grantee Retreat, learning from and with women-led social justice organizations from throughout the country on how we can better share our messages and improve our organizations. Exodus Lending was honored to be with a group of dedicated, empowered leaders working to build a more just world for all. As always, we are grateful for the continued support of Mary’s Pence, and we feed off the energy of this retreat to guide our efforts for the fall.
Speaking Engagements
Exodus Lending is scheduling speaking engagements for the fall and winter. If you are interested in learning more about our work or would like a representative to speak to your community or church group, please contact [email protected]. We’d love the opportunity to share an update about on our work!