Joni Foster is the program director at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).
WHAT IS LISC?
“We are a national non-profit that works in some 40-odd sites working on real estate redevelopment. We support local non-profits who do things like rehabilitate old buildings in blighted, depressed neighborhoods.”
HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?
“It started 22 years ago by the Ford Foundation. They saw these non-profits do extraordinary work in the Bronx, Chicago and L.A. They said, if we put more money into these organizations, they can do even better. It was a phenomenal success. It’s a way to seed other groups.” Training, technical assistance and financing are the main avenues they use to support local philanthropic efforts.
WHICH GROUPS DO YOU SUPPORT?
LISC’s core emerging Community Development Corporation (CDC) network consists of Operation New Hope, Clara White Mission, Riverside Avondale Development Organization, Northwest Jacksonville CDC and Metro North CDC. Six other entities have been assisted since LISC established an office in Jacksonville three years ago.
WHAT’S GOING ON CURRENTLY?
“We are starting to work at Edward Waters College. They have a community development corporation there. We got invited into that community by the mayor.” LISC proffered a $1 million match challenge to the institution whereby they will match the amount raised by the community.
EDUCATION
Foster graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a bachelor’s degree in social work, placing emphasis on organization, planning and administration.
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
“I started in this business in the mid-1980s. I worked for a non-profit that got groups together to build homes and did wastewater work in rural communities. Then I went to Central America and worked on wastewater systems in other countries. When I came back, I started with LISC.” In her earlier days, she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone, Africa.
WHY STAY IN THE FIELD?
“It’s not what I intended to do, but this kept calling me back. I have a passion for it.”
WHAT’S THE PULL FOR YOU?
“I like the feel of working with people helping to improve their lives and community. I love working on a grassroots level with people struggling to better their situation. It’s very gratifying to see the small successes.”
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
“Working with such a diverse group. Everybody has ideas and it’s hard to get ideas moving forward in a productive way.”
BORN
Circleville, Ohio.
CURRENT RESIDENCE
Foster and her husband James Shuler, who works for Outward Bound, live in Avondale.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
“I’m excited about Timucuan Park. I look forward to hiking and biking those 14 miles of trails.” Foster also enjoys traveling, eating sushi and tuning into “Law & Order.” She likes obscure works such as the film “Carla’s Song” or the novel “The Bone People.”
WHO DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING LOCALLY?
“Our board chair J.F. Bryan, because he teaches you about how to be a Southerner.”
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“Sen. Hillary Clinton because she’s held her dignity in the face of incredibly embarrassing situations. She didn’t have any control over the people around her but she’s been very successful in her own right.”
—by Monica Chamness