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People who own property feel a sense of ownership in their future and their society. They study, save, work, strive and vote. And people trapped in a culture of tenancy do not.

Poor people put a low value on themselves and their efforts.

No community values entrepreneurship and small business more than the Hispanic community.

Communities don't think, don't believe, don't want, don't have needs, don't have interests and don't make decisions. Only individuals have minds that generate desires and needs - and only individuals can make choices and decisions.

Poverty breeds lack of self-reliance.

Communities need to feel that they can accommodate people. Rather than feeling that it's not possible to integrate and that the stress and strain on housing and public services is too great.

What makes community organizing especially attractive is the faith it places in the ability of the poor to make decisions for themselves.

Whoever moves into a community has a vested interest in it.

If people support independently owned small businesses in their community, they can make a difference.

Investing for the poor requires participation from the entire community.