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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Local Program Helps Boost [xxx] Out Of Poverty

City, State - As the world’s spotlight shines on Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, a pioneer in microfinancing, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) notes that this important economic tool is alive and well in the United States. The concept of providing small loans to help lift people out of poverty is at work in countless communities from coast to coast. An estimated 22 million microenterprises (businesses with five or less employees) operate throughout the country. According to AEO, the only national membership association for the microenterprise development industry, microenterprises provide 18% of all private U.S. employment.

Amy Mckenna Luz, Chief Executive Officer of AEO, explains, “We see business ownership as a solution for individuals struggling to overcome poverty, find jobs, and reach financial stability. Our members are focused on teaching skills to help their clients help themselves. These small investments can make a big difference in people’s lives, helping them become self-reliant and productive members of their communities.” Locally, [organization name] provides [insert services offered by your organization].

[Organization name] clients are a diverse group that consists of [ populations served]. They typically borrow [average amount borrowed] and receive [average hours of received training] hours of business training. Since the [year organization was founded] [organization name] has lent over [total amount lent to date] to help [city or geographic region] entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

(For non lending organizations – remove information about lending and focus on training services)

[Insert 2-3 brief client success stories]

[Insert quote from executive director or board member about the impact of microenterprise in the local community]

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[Insert mission and website of organization]