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Crisis In Caring: Part 5

By KBJR News 1
October 27, 2010 Updated Oct 27, 2010 at 2:53 PM CDT

They say the backbone of any economy is its small businesses.
But with the on–going recessions small businesses and entrepreneurs who would like to start small businesses are facing some huge hurdles.

That's where some non profit agencies are stepping up to help turn things around one small business at a time.

Barbara Reyelts puts us in touch with the success story of Duluth entrepreneur Dane Grover

In 2007 Dane Grover and his wife Kristin were in between jobs and struggling to make ends meet. Dane had been raised to be self sufficient and didn't want to turn to welfare.

There wasn't a lot of hope for the better.

Dane turned to the United Way supported Family Assets for Independence Program in Duluth.
The program, called FAME, united Common Sense financial education with a matched savings account designed to help people save money for things like buying a house, going to college, or starting a small business.

Its really fun to see people coming forward and make huge success from having horrible, sometimes self esteem about their ability to make change and build assets.

For Dane and Kristin it was the perfect program.

It was a great stepping stone to get us over that initial hump.

A Stepping stone that has been just the right step for a growing number of Northland entrepreneurs.

A lot of great investments are happening in the community because of this program.

Investments such as that being made by Dane Grover who started a landscaping business.
Dane says the help he was given was enough of a catalyst to get his company growing.

I've been steady enough to pay for my house and buy some equipment that I need.

The education and goal–planning helped them move out of debt and begin to plan for their future. Today their small business is providing employment and contributing to the economy.

It's everything. You know I can give my kids a better life.

In Duluth, Barbara Reyelts, the Northlands News Center.

As the economy continues to struggle the people we've profiled in our special report "Care in Crisis" want others to know that gifts to non profit agencies are actually gifts to the community because in so many cases the recipients are able to turn their lives around and become contributing members of society.