RAIL CDC

And the truth is… a lot of people don’t apply because they think it’s complicated. It’s not. 👉 Apply in 3 steps: 1. Create your free account 2. Watch 2 short on-demand courses 3. Submit your application That’s it. No Verizon commitment. No complicated process. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to go for it… this is it. 💬 Comment READY and we’ll send you the link or find it in our bio. Tag a small business owner who needs to see this. #SmallBusinessSupport #RAILCDC #MesaAZ #GrantsForSmallBusiness #EntrepreneurLife DigitalReady CommunitySupport

We’re beyond proud to celebrate @spachaz Saul Pacheco, , as the 2025 McPherson Award recipient — honored by Trees Matter and the @tempegov for his leadership in growing equity and resilience through trees. The McPherson Award is named after Jim McPherson (“the tree guy” of Downtown Phoenix) and recognizes exemplary work to inspire and grow tree canopy across the Valley. Award winners like Saul don’t just plant trees—they plant hope, community, and lasting change. From helping plant 144+ trees 🌳 to building trust in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods, Saul’s commitment to climate justice, equity, and community power is an inspiration. His leadership in the Tempe and Guadalupe Tree Steward programs has made a lasting impact—and it’s all rooted in love, care, and action. 💚 Join us in celebrating Saul—drop a 🎉 in the comments and help spread the word! #RAILCDC #TreesMatter #McPhersonAward #ClimateJustice #CommunityOrganizer #TempeAZ #GuadalupeAZ #UrbanForest #CommunityLeadership #ArizonaNonprofits #SaulPacheco #TreeStewards #CelebrateCommunity

We are committed to helping small businesses thrive. At RAIL CDC & LISC Phoenix, we believe that access to the right tools at the right time can change the game for small business owners. That’s why we’ve partnered with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready—to bring free resources, coaching, and funding opportunities directly to YOU! And we’re making sure our community gets access first. 💬 Comment Ready and we´ll send you the link to sign up. Make sure to follow @railcdc so that we can DM you the link. ❤️Tag a small business owner who needs to know about this. Share it in your stories so that more small business owners benefit from it. #SmallBusinessHelp #SelfEmployedLife #SideHustleTips #SaveMoney #Freeresources #EntrepreneurLife #FreelancerSuccess #railcdc #mesabusinessowner #entrepreneurs in Phoenix #arizonasmallbusinesses #tempesmallbusinessowner #phoenixbusinessowner #arizonasmallbusinesses #verizonsmallbusinessdigitalready #verizonpartner #verizondigitalready

Save the date and Scan the QR code to register. Hosted by one of our amazing RAIL CDC small business clients… Join @judith_aram of Blue Frame Studio for a fun and relaxing Paint & Sip night at @boochhaus_az Haus. No experience needed — just come ready to unwind, connect, and create 🎨 ✨ Your ticket includes: • All art supplies • Step-by-step guidance from a professional artist • A 12oz drink • A night of creativity and community 📅 May 22 at the cafe ⏰ 7 PM 📍 Booch Haus | 708 E Main St, Downtown Mesa 👉 Register now — spots are limited! Scan the QR code or comment PAINT for the link to register. Let’s continue supporting the creatives and small businesses that make our community vibrant 💛 Share with someone you want to go with 👇 #SupportLocal #MesaAZ #RAILCDC #BlueFrameStudio #BoochHaus PaintAndSip DowntownMesa CommunityEvents

Self-care can be one of the biggest challenges an entrepreneur may face. Running a business requires many hats and work nonstop, often leading to stress and burn out. That’s why we’re partnering with our friends at @railCDC to bring you this intimate, intentional evening – “Entrepreneur’s Guide to Redefining Work-Life Balance”. We’ll begin our night with a self-care workshop to help you prioritize your wellbeing and mental health and finish off with an aromatherapy bar to help you feel relaxed and recentered! Register today so you can take an evening for yourself! 🌟 Tuesday, May 19 🌟 5:30pm – 7:30pm 🌟 In person – at the Prestamos Women’s Business Center in Phoenix, AZ 🌟 Register now: /our-events - Link in bio #Womensbusinesscenter #SelfCareforEntrepreneuers #Aromatherapy #WorkLifeBalance

Last week, we joined organizations from across the country at the @lisc_hq Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Resilience Action Network (LRAN) convening in Asheville, North Carolina, to reflect on what long-term neighborhood resilience really looks like. During one of the conversations, people shared what happened in their communities after Hurricane Helene. Before formal systems fully mobilized, neighbors were already checking on each other. Bringing food. Sharing supplies. Supporting local businesses. Helping families stabilize however they could. One of the things this convening reinforced for us is that resilience is not only built during emergencies. It is built slowly, through trust. Through neighbors who know each other. Through small businesses that become gathering spaces. Through organizations rooted in the community long before a crisis happens. Because when communities are supported before disruption happens, they are better able to care for one another when challenges come. Grateful to @liscphx LISC Phoenix , LRAN, and the many leaders and organizations who created space for these conversations rooted in care, dignity, and long-term vision for communities. 💛 #CommunityResilience #NeighborhoodResilience #CommunityDevelopment #RAILCDC #ArizonaCommunities

@evieflor Evelyn Flores took the stage representing RAIL CDC during the @oneazcu OneAZ Community Impact Grant panel conversation — sharing why community-centered investment matters, especially in neighborhoods navigating economic pressure, rising costs, and barriers to opportunity. Moments like this are meaningful because behind every grant announcement are real people, real families, and real small business owners working every day to build stability for themselves and their communities. We’re grateful to share that RAIL CDC was selected as a 2026 Community Impact Grant recipient by OneAZ Credit Union and the OneAZ Community Foundation. This support will help strengthen our Financial Opportunity Center, where we work alongside low- and moderate-income residents and entrepreneurs through financial coaching, credit-building, income-support navigation, and pathways toward greater financial mobility. We are especially proud of Evelyn for representing this work with honesty, care, and purpose. Thank you to OneAZ Credit Union, the OneAZ Community Foundation, and every OneAZ member helping move resources back into Arizona communities. Partnerships like this make long-term, neighborhood-rooted work possible. 💜 #OneAZ #CommunityImpact #RAILCDC #FinancialOpportunity #EconomicMobility NeighborhoodResilience ArizonaNonprofits CommunityDevelopment

Comment PITCH for the link. The Verizon Small Business Super Pitch Contest is officially open. In 60 seconds or less, share how Verizon Small Business Digital Ready has helped your business and you could win: 💰 $20,000 ⚽ Free tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final in New York/New Jersey 👉 Here’s how to enter: 1. Complete a resource in the Winning Customers category 2. Record a short video 3. Post it on social media tagging @VerizonBusiness with:#SMBSuperPitch #Contest #VerizonBusiness4️⃣ Submit your entry form That’s it. Sometimes opportunities like this feel “too big” to go for. But this is exactly why you should try. Deadline is May 18 Tag a small business owner who needs to see this 👇

🎉 Happy Birthday, Saul! 🎉 Today we’re celebrating Saul Pacheco — community organizer, relationship builder, and someone who shows up for our neighborhoods with heart and dedication every single day. 🌳💛 Thank you for the energy, care, and commitment you bring to RAIL CDC and the communities we serve. 👇 Help us wish Saul a happy birthday in the comments! #HappyBirthday #RAILCDC #CommunityFirst #NeighborhoodResilience #mesaaz

RAIL CDC is honored to be selected as a 2026 Community Impact Grant recipient by OneAZ Credit Union and the OneAZ Community Foundation, receiving a $7,500 award in celebration of OneAZ’s 75th anniversary of serving Arizonans.💜 Since 2016, the OneAZ Community Foundation has provided more than $3.5 million in funding to nonprofits working to strengthen communities across Arizona. 🌵 This year, $360,000 in Community Impact Grants were distributed to 48 local nonprofits—thanks to OneAZ members who support their communities with every swipe. Each purchase contributes one penny to the OneAZ Community Foundation to help fund grants like ours. This generous support allows RAIL CDC to continue making an impact through our mission to create stronger, healthier, more resilient community and economy with access to quality jobs, transit, housing, and world-class education for all.🤝 #OneAZ #GiveBack #ArizonaNonprofits #ArizonaCommunity #SupportLocalAZ @oneazcu

Two years ago, I was there when Charlotte, a small business owner and @RAIL CDC client, received a $10,000 grant from Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. And honestly… I still remember how emotional that moment felt. Because behind that check, there was so much more. There were long nights, uncertainty, hard work, dreams, and someone continuing to believe in her business even when it felt scary to do so. Now, the grant is open again. And I keep thinking about how many small business owners could benefit from opportunities like this if they simply gave themselves the chance to apply. And what surprised me the most was this: the application process was much simpler than many people think. As a consultant I work closely with small businesses, and I see the same thing happen over and over again: many people don’t apply because they think they’re not ready, they assume they won’t win, or they believe the process will be too complicated. But platforms like Verizon Small Business Digital Ready are truly creating accessible opportunities and resources for entrepreneurs. Not only through grants, but through courses, tools, and expert sessions that genuinely help when you’re building a business and trying to do everything at once. And yes… entrepreneurship can feel lonely sometimes. That’s why spaces like this matter so much. If you own a small business, let this be your sign to go for it. Apply. Learn. Use the resources. Sometimes one opportunity really can change the direction of a business. ✨Comment READY for the link

💬 Comment READY → $10K grant → 3 simple steps → Multiple chances without reapplying.