10.11.2007 - 10:17am ET

(CSRwire) BOSTON, MA - October 11, 2007 - U.S. microfinance pioneer ACCION USA today announced the launch of a free seminar series on microfinance, 'Empowering Lives with Microfinance,' open to the general public at its headquarters on Roland Street, Boston. The first seminar will be held Wednesday, October 17th.

Held every third Wednesday of the month, the series has been designed to provide the general public with a detailed look at microfinance - the practice of providing small loans to self-employed individuals - and how it plays a role in strengthening U.S. communities. With heightened interest in the field, fueled by the awarding of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize to microfinance practitioner Muhammad Yunus, the program will take a specific look at U.S. microlending and explain why it is as important in Boston as it is in Botswana in helping to alleviate poverty and improve quality of life.

'Empowering Lives with Microfinance' will trace the history of microfinance in the U.S., as well as ACCION USA's role in microlending and financial literacy. The seminars are appropriate for students, professors, clergy, community developers, community leaders, city officials/employees, bankers, small business owners, social entrepreneurs and community activists, and will include a tour of the organization’s New England lending program.

More information on the program is available from Rachel Farahbakhsh at ACCION USA, at rfarahbakhsh@accionusa.org.

About ACCION USA

ACCION USA is a private, non-profit organization that serves low-income microentrepreneurs, primarily minorities and women, who are unable to access bank credit for their businesses. A pioneer and recognized leader in the domestic microfinance field, ACCION USA is dedicated to providing microentrepreneurs and individuals on the economic margin with the crucial chance to borrow capital at fair rates of interest. In doing so, we enable our clients to increase family incomes, create jobs and revitalize and empower economically disenfranchised communities. For the past four years, ACCION has received Fast Company's Social Capitalist Award for "changing the world by using entrepreneurial genius to solve some of the most daunting social problems." For more information: www.accionusa.org

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