The Daily’s recent editorial on Lending for Evanston and Northwestern Development’s campaign, Invest Evanston, fails to provide a complete view of LEND’s work and undervalues the need that Evanston businesses truly have. The focus of Invest Evanston is twofold. First, the campaign aims to raise funds in a micro-lending effort. The need for more financial resources in the Evanston community is clear and was detailed in a Daily article from about a year ago, which highlights the dilapidated nature of Evanston’s west-side communities and provides accounts of real men and women in our community who would directly benefit from increased financial support for their businesses and families. LEND has taken the initiative to recognize the flaws in current lending practices for Evanston businesses, and passionate Northwestern students have stepped up to show their creativity in helping their community. In a time when loans are difficult to come by and small businesses are often neglected, Invest Evanston is taking a stance. But beyond fundraising, the campaign’s goal is to educate. LEND has developed training programs and educational resources for budding entrepreneurs in the community, while students working with the organization get to learn first-hand about the value of microfinance and its potential in a community as close to all of us as Evanston. Students have an opportunity to tangibly create a better environment for their neighbors, and we should take that opportunity very seriously. By educating ourselves and donating to the campaign, we instill a sense of civic engagement that means a tremendous amount in our community.

-Ash Jaidev

Weinberg junior

ASG Vice President