Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Grose.
Hi Rachel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was your typical teenager who wanted to change the world. Growing up in a suburb of Washington D.C. I was surrounded by politics but never interested in being part of a campaign or running for office. I searched for ways to have an impact on the community and began to understand the way nonprofit organizations helped with many systemic issues. In high school, I became involved with Amnesty International and became attached to the stories they shared about the people they helped. I graduated college with a BFA in art and started to look for ways to have a deep impact on the community. I stumbled across an MBA program that focused on nonprofit management, and I was hooked. My career in the nonprofit community was launched.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In 2023 it is still challenging to be a woman leading an organization in one of the largest cities in America. The fact that the Jewish Free Loan Association is a financial entity makes it even more challenging. I am often surprised when people wonder, “Rachel, how do you do it all?” There is still a lingering sentiment that it is impossible to raise a family and have a meaningful career.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For the last 21 years, I have worked at the Jewish Free Loan Association, whose mission is to offer zero-interest, no-fee loans to residents of LA, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. It is spectacular work because of the enormous impact of the interest-free loan. Most people do not have $400 in savings to cover an emergency expense, and when life takes an alternate route, they are forced to turn to high-interest credit cards or predatory loans with interest as high as 400% percent. It is often impossible for people to recover financially from these choices. The zero-interest, no-fee loan offers people a safe way to handle many issues that arise from all cycles of life, including IVF and fertility on the one end and funeral expenses on the other. In between, we offer loans to help with post-secondary education, small businesses, children with special needs, medical and dental needs, housing, transportation, and more! We maintain a 99% repayment rate, and as loans are repaid monthly, the funds are lent to others. Our clients can pay it forward.
It has been my privilege to work towards more equitable lending for Angelenos. Raising funds to support this work has been incredibly meaningful to me.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite memories are spending time in Ocean City, Maryland with my extended family. My grandparents and cousins would all meet up and spend time on the beach. We would collect shells, dig for sand crabs, and jump in the waves. When it was time to rest, we would wrap up in towels under the beach umbrella, and my grandmother would give out snacks. The days flew by in minutes, and the warm moments have stayed with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jfla.org
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgrose/
