Real Estate MIT established

MIT Center for Real Estate - Home Skip to content. home contact sitemap search: Prospective Students Prospective Students Overview Curriculum Faculty Admissions Prospective Students Overview Curriculum Faculty Admissions Prospective Students Overview FAQ MBA or MSRED? Student Life Meet our Students Request Info Curriculum Faculty Admissions Prospective Students Overview Curriculum MSRED Courses Electives Industry Participants Faculty Admissions Prospective Students Overview Curriculum Faculty Admissions Application Procedure Cost & Aid Visit MIT/CRE Careers Careers Career Services Recent Employers Alumni Career Profiles Research Research Research Initiatives Working Papers Thesis Research Faculty Research Projects Research Research Initiatives NCC HAI CREDL Working Papers Thesis Research Faculty Research Projects Industry Partners Industry Partners Becoming a Partner Partner List Alumni Alumni News & Projects Update Spaulding Award Continuing Education Continuing Education Course List Registration & Fees Events Events News News About Us About Us Staff Giving Giving MIT Center for Real Estate MIT established the Centerfor Real Estate in 1983 to improve thequality of the built environmentand to promote more informed professionalpractice in the real estate industry. It is thehome of the first one-year Master's degree programin real estate development and a respected summerinstitute of professional developmentcourses. Its partnership program provides opportunitiesfor students, practitioners andacademics to get together on both a formal andan informal basis. Learn more about our MSRED Program See which Industry Leaders are partners of MIT/CRE Introducing MIT/CRE’s Featured Partner This Fall we recognize Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, one of the Center’s newest partners. Caisse de dépôt was instrumental in making this year's Student Class Trip to Europe a reality, and will also be featured as Leaders in Real Estate on December 2, 2005. Learn more about Caisse de dépôt and CRE. MITCenterforReal Estate Phone: 617-253-4373 Fax: 617-258-6991 Email: mit-cre@mit.edu Mail: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, w31-310, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 Breaking News Forum in Issues in Real Estate - San Francisco, CA Highlights Alumni/ae Reunion Weekend 2005 , 9/29 - 10/1 Tune in to the ARW 2005 Webcast on 9/30 at 3:30pm EST -- 2005 MIT/CRE Fall Open House Videos of 2004 Open House available Real Estate Opportunity Fund Investment Performance Persistence (pdf 274k) - by David Geltner, Thea C. Hahn, and Nori Gerardo-Lietz

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Homepage of the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) California Home DRE Home Contact Us What's new About DRE Careers at DRE DRE Records Consumers Escrow Violations eLicensing Examinees Licensees Subdivisions Real Estate Law Regulations Publications Forms FAQs Links Index Department of Real Estate START Examinees and Licensees: Use eLicensing for expedited processing of: Examination services Mailing address changes License renewals Salesperson additions/changes of employing broker Broker certification of salesperson employment Broker discontinuation of salesperson employment Duplicate license requests Additional services Learn to use eLicensing It's easy, paperless and interactive! Resources Key Announcements Brokers Must Report Commission Payments on 1099s Real estate brokers are required to report commission payments of $600 or more to brokers and salespersons on Form 1099-MISC, Box 7 - Nonemployee Compensation. For more information, see 1099 Reporting for Real Estate Brokers published by the Franchise Tax Board. Combination examination and license applications are now available: Broker Examination/License Sales Examination/License Expanded Services: Use eLicensing to apply for the salesperson exam Important Information About: Application Processing Timeframes Satellite Exam Sites for Salespersons and Brokers Can't find what you're looking for? Try the Index Featured Items Topics of Interest: Gulf Coast Hurricanes CalHFA First Time Homeownership Program Instructions to License Applicants Help Avoid DENIAL of Your License Application Guides for First Time Home Buyers and Renters Information for Homebuyers Apply Online for a CalVet Home Loan Predatory Lending Prevention Investigate Before You Invest Small Business and DVBE Opportunities Workers' Compensation Coverage Flex Your Power - Be Energy Efficient! Find out how you can save money, save energy, and save natural resources.   more My CA Customer Survey Course & Instructor Evaluation Back to Top of Page Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Tech Problems 2003 State of California This page last modified on Wednesday, December 28, 2005

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DQNews - San Diego Union Tribune Zip Code Chart -- December 29, 2005 DQNews Home | DataQuick | Forums | -- Release | Custom Reports Search -- i Updated: December 16, 2005 -- -- -- Real Estate News -- . -- DQNEWS HOME -- RECENT RELEASES Monthly for SoCal Monthly for Bay Area New! -- CA Monthly City Chart ZIP CODE CHARTS Updated Monthly: LA Times Zip Chart SD Union Tribune Chart OC Register Chart SF Chronicle Chart Sacramento Bee Chart Annual Charts: CA 2004 City Chart LA Times 2004 Chart OC Register 2004 Chart SD Tribune 2004 Chart SF Chronicle 2004 Chart Sac Bee 2004 Chart Updated Weekly: SJ Mercury News Chart California SoCal Area Bay Area -- REGIONAL CHARTS Phoenix 3Q05 Honolulu 3Q05 Las Vegas 3Q05 Portland 3Q05 Seattle 3Q05 Nashville 3Q05 Miami/Palm Bch 3Q05 Jacksonville, FL 3Q05 Denver 3Q05 Chicago 3Q05 CURRENT HEADLINES Home Sale Trends Mortgage Trends -- Foreclosures Million Dollar Homes Building Activity Other Feature Articles NATIONAL NEWS -- WEB SITE EXTRAS ARCHIVED ARTICLES -- Customized News Services -- -- Custom Reports Archived Zip Code Charts Archived Articles -- Enter your email address to receive DQNews Headlines by email: -- Who We Are -- -- -- Find Out More About DQNews San Diego Union Tribune Zip Code Chart for Home Sales Recorded in November 2005 Back Issues are available through Custom Reports Resale New Single-Family Condominiums All Combined New Place Zip Sales Median % Chg Sales Median % Chg Sales Median % Chg Central San Diego 477 $539,000 5.7% 384 $430,000 4.4% 323 $444,500 -15.3% Allied Gardens, Del Cerro 92120 16 $589,000 7.1% 8 $367,000 -12.2% 5 $320,000 n/a City Heights 92105 28 $418,500 5.3% 17 $250,000 -5.1% 3 $224,000 -42.3% Clairemont 92117 32 $578,250 6.1% 5 $316,000 -3.5% n/a n/a n/a College 92115 29 $468,000 5.2% 16 $311,000 -11.1% 14 $234,000 -20.7% Coronado 92118 6 $1,235,000 -2.9% 17 $825,000 -37.4% n/a n/a n/a Downtown 92101 n/a n/a n/a 48 $539,250 -20.4% 147 $530,000 1.0% Encanto 92114 48 $450,000 9.5% n/a n/a n/a 4 $260,000 -45.8% Golden Hill 92102 19 $440,000 4.1% 4 $237,500 -18.1% n/a n/a n/a Hillcrest, Mission Hills 92103 12 $1,085,000 52.8% 24 $495,000 2.7% 10 $564,500 -9.7% Kensington, Normal Hts 92116 24 $504,500 -14.9% 7 $425,000 21.4% 14 $282,500 15.3% La Jolla 92037 18 $2,025,000 37.3% 35 $595,000 1.7% 22 $462,000 -13.6% Linda Vista 92111 17 $534,000 4.2% 9 $314,000 -18.1% 1 $296,000 n/a Logan Hts 92113 18 $368,500 -0.8% 1 $300,000 26.6% n/a n/a n/a Mira Mesa 92126 52 $520,000 4.0% 23 $400,000 12.7% 3 $359,500 1.3% Mission Bch, Pacific Bch 92109 13 $940,000 19.0% 25 $600,000 5.3% 10 $422,000 -22.6% Mission Valley 92108 n/a n/a n/a 25 $356,000 0.3% 1 $804,500 57.4% Morena 92110 8 $649,500 17.6% 12 $430,000 9.6% n/a n/a n/a North Park 92104 13 $575,000 13.1% 14 $318,000 1.9% 1 $360,000 n/a Ocean Beach 92107 10 $772,000 -8.0% 9 $410,000 -1.2% 4 $431,750 12.1% Paradise Hills 92139 18 $482,500 8.7% 8 $367,500 4.6% 7 $314,500 n/a Point Loma 92106 16 $870,000 15.2% 3 $605,000 24.7% n/a n/a n/a San Carlos 92119 15 $539,000 -2.0% 4 $317,000 0.3% 1 $1,350,000 n/a Scripps Rch 92131 21 $705,000 0.7% 20 $442,500 0.1% 18 $995,000 7.7% Serra Mesa 92123 15 $515,000 7.3% 12 $327,250 -27.7% 8 $517,250 2.1% Sorrento Val. 92121 4 $735,000 -7.3% 6 $422,250 -3.8% n/a n/a n/a Tierrasanta 92124 13 $675,000 -3.6% 15 $425,000 -0.6% n/a n/a n/a University Cty 92122 12 $720,000 6.4% 17 $465,000 -8.8% 50 $344,000 -28.0% East County 317 $490,000 6.5% 82 $325,000 1.7% 63 $446,000 -5.9% Alpine 91901 17 $679,000 8.6% 1 $245,000 -6.1% 5 $699,000 -17.5% Boulevard 91905 2 $353,750 114.4% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Campo 91906 4 $386,000 42.3% n/a n/a n/a 20 $395,500 n/a Descanso 91916 2 $442,500 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a El Cajon 92019 34 $545,500 4.4% 9 $356,000 1.7% 3 $275,000 -59.6% El Cajon 92020 30 $480,000 -4.0% 4 $280,000 -9.4% 2 $294,250 -25.5% El Cajon 92021 34 $466,000 -0.2% 15 $310,000 -4.6% 7 $955,500 106.1% Jacumba 91934 1 $92,000 -23.3% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Jamul 91935 10 $792,500 -2.5% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a La Mesa, Mt. Helix 91941 37 $524,000 17.2% 4 $321,500 7.3% 8 $873,000 -5.4% La Mesa, Grossmont 91942 8 $515,000 1.9% 5 $428,500 30.8% n/a n/a n/a Lakeside 92040 23 $540,000 11.8% 6 $301,000 36.8% n/a n/a n/a Lemon Grove 91945 17 $435,000 3.0% 1 $315,000 0.2% 3 $312,000 n/a Pine Valley 91962 3 $495,000 43.5% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Rancho San Diego 91978 4 $514,000 13.2% 1 $355,000 15.6% n/a n/a n/a Santee 92071 36 $470,000 8.5% 21 $350,000 11.5% 14 $474,500 1.7% Spring Valley 91977 55 $475,000 8.1% 15 $327,000 -7.2% 1 $660,000 19.3% North County Inland 547 $580,000 12.6% 134 $365,000 6.0% 218 $668,500 6.9% Bonsall 92003 6 $837,000 29.0% 3 $324,500 -20.9% n/a n/a n/a Borrego Spr. 92004 3 $125,000 -60.9% 1 $240,000 81.8% n/a n/a n/a Escondido S 92025 29 $490,000 4.8% 12 $317,500 0.8% 1 $575,000 -40.8% Escondido N 92026 41 $500,000 5.3% 6 $334,500 33.3% 12 $781,500 4.9% Escondido E 92027 46 $479,000 11.5% 2 $260,000 -3.3% 1 $948,500 50.6% Escondido W 92029 16 $664,500 6.3% n/a n/a n/a 1 $940,000 n/a Fallbrook 92028 48 $605,000 21.2% 2 $214,823 -40.3% 8 $797,250 26.6% Julian 92036 2 $271,000 48.5% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Palomar Mtn 92060 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Pauma Valley 92061 1 $220,000 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Penasquitos 92129 41 $686,000 5.9% 17 $340,000 -2.9% 13 $917,000 73.0% Poway 92064 42 $588,000 7.1% 5 $420,000 -0.9% 1 $255,000 -88.5% Ramona 92065 36 $575,000 17.1% 5 $302,500 -11.9% 1 $659,000 -9.4% Rancho Bernardo W 92127 20 $1,050,000 70.7% 13 $395,000 18.6% 69 $457,500 -17.9% Rancho Bernardo E 92128 41 $675,000 16.4% 28 $420,000 -2.3% 6 $322,500 11.2% Rancho Santa Fe 92067 4 $2,512,500 11.7% n/a n/a n/a 1 $1,320,500 109.6% Rancho Santa Fe post office 92091 2 $2,800,000 93.1% 1 $865,000 -3.4% n/a n/a n/a San Marcos N 92069 35 $526,000 5.2% 6 $385,000 20.9% 10 $363,500 -39.9% San Marcos S 92078 37 $650,000 13.5% 13 $378,500 -7.2% 73 $702,000 21.5% Santa Ysabel 92070 1 $206,500 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Valley Center 92082 13 $660,000 -2.6% n/a n/a n/a 12 $840,500 5.6% Vista S 92081 20 $555,000 4.7% 5 $420,000 28.4% 1 $543,000 -41.4% Vista W 92083 25 $460,000 5.7% 9 $360,000 15.0% 5 $690,000 4.5% Vista E 92084 37 $580,000 19.6% 6 $367,000 11.4% 1 $889,000 175.2% Warner Spr 92086 1 $611,000 35.0% n/a n/a n/a 2 $53,750 n/a North County Coast 319 $645,000 9.5% 145 $455,000 5.1% 179 $807,000 19.6% Cardiff 92007 12 $677,500 -26.6% 4 $482,500 -10.6% 2 $1,232,000 n/a Carlsbad N 92008 12 $712,500 4.8% 6 $482,500 15.6% 2 $477,500 -48.9% Carlsbad S 92009 32 $770,000 10.0% 16 $447,000 6.4% 77 $890,000 -7.3% Carlsbad I 92010 11 $600,000 -8.3% 6 $410,000 -4.7% 4 $497,750 -29.4% Carlsbad II 92011 16 $865,000 10.9% 13 $645,000 -0.2% 3 $173,500 -77.4% Carmel Valley 92130 26 $970,250 7.4% 23 $645,000 20.6% 48 $791,500 -7.3% Del Mar 92014 13 $2,000,000 40.8% 4 $578,500 -20.8% 1 $2,400,000 108.7% Encinitas 92024 37 $815,000 7.2% 19 $512,500 -5.5% n/a n/a n/a Oceanside S 92054 41 $527,000 16.7% 19 $367,000 0.5% 7 $577,500 7.8% Oceanside E 92056 59 $506,000 6.8% 11 $349,000 -1.7% 11 $278,500 -55.0% Oceanside N 92057 52 $535,500 9.8% 18 $317,500 0.0% 23 $739,000 37.4% Solana Beach 92075 8 $1,047,500 -25.2% 6 $817,500 10.4% 1 $1,200,000 n/a South County 245 $602,500 13.7% 95 $385,000 6.6% 184 $506,500 -12.8% Bonita 91902 16 $703,000 0.4% 2 $385,750 -7.8% n/a n/a n/a Chula Vista N 91910 44 $611,000 15.6% 17 $385,000 2.7% 2 $737,500 n/a Chula Vista S 91911 34 $530,000 12.8% 25 $360,000 3.4% n/a n/a n/a Chula Vista - E. Lake - Otay Ran ch 91913 46 $677,500 15.4% 16 $414,000 -4.2% 21 $408,500 -37.3% Chula Vista NE 91914 14 $713,250 8.1% 5 $440,000 8.1% 37 $478,000 -45.4% Chula Vista SE 91915 23 $612,000 0.3% 8 $483,500 9.9% 87 $582,000 24.4% Imperial Beach 91932 7 $530,000 9.5% 3 $505,000 -3.8% n/a n/a n/a National City 91950 13 $444,000 9.6% 4 $312,500 0.2% 20 $495,750 n/a Nestor 92154 39 $585,000 23.2% 8 $367,500 5.8% 17 $662,000 26.5% San Ysidro 92173 9 $507,000 11.1% 7 $295,000 0.9% n/a n/a n/a ©DataQuick Information Systems This information may not be republished in any form. -- View the DQNews News editorial policy. -- Contact us at info@DQNews.com | DQNews Home | DataQuick Homepage

Real Estate Investment Club

Jurock.com - British Columbia Real Estate Marketplace Special Christmas Offer from Jurock.com Your Ad Here Real Estate Experts LOG IN | EDIT PREFERENCES Ask a Tax Expert with David Ingram I am a Canadian citizen living in the USA. They always tell me to leave my RRSPs untouched in Canada, but I would like to use that money to buy a house in Florida. Will it make sense to take the money for this? I am planning to stay here in the USA. Read More Ask a Property Manager of Individual Homes with Denise Barker, RI(BC) Myself and my boyfriend moved into an older house in early fall, now it's full winter and we realized our woodstove lets out tons of smoke every time we open it. We try to open as little as possible but we have to put wood in to keep it going. So my ... Read More A comprehensive directory - actively maintained since 1996 Appraisals Builders and Contractors Careers and Education Developers Developments Financing Government Sites Guides and Directories Home Inspectors Insurance Investments Law Mortgage Brokers Professional Associations Property Management Real Estate Companies Realtors Recreational Property Relocating Rental Property Selling Tax Chestnuts On The Laptop, Champagne Corks In Your Eye! Facts by Email Toronto: Big Players See Potential And They May Be Right Victoria Rental Market Remains Best In Country Saskatoon Commercial Real Estate Market Has Potential What To Do When The Vendor Gets Cold Feet The 'Loon' Of The Week Friday, December 16, 2005 Pre-Sales: Are Developers Leaving Something On The Table? Or Will Buyers Feast? Insider Newsletter Condominium pre-sales in Greater Vancouver have become so common that there is little thought anymore that people are willing to lineup for hours to pay $500 a square foot for a suite they have never seen and won't be able to move into for two years or more. Latest topics from our forums whistler, whats new? Squamish pulp mill closes 2006 predictions double-ended double tricks/ Bubble, Bubble -- Then Trouble Upload listings FREE Virtual Tours Buying a Home Home Listings, Loan Info, Home Prices... Selling a Home Market analysis, Tips on Selling, Find a good realtor... Renting Rentals Search, Post your rentals Tenant Info... Commercial Commercial Listings, expert advice, Cap Rates Info... Recreational Recreational listings, insights, market reviews... Financing Mortgage Quotes, Interest Rates, Finance Calculators... THIS WEEK: Ozzie Jurock: Tips for Condo Pre-sales More Videos Real Estate Action Weekend The Insider Newsletter $297 know the latest trends learn expert investment techniques get weekly scoops on the best real estate deals plus more Personal Real Estate Business Plan $97 Create the plan that will help guide you to success See All Our Products >> Email Dispatch - Free Free weekly email with the latest Ask an Expert, mortgage rates, Real Estate Deals, and more Rental Listings #1107 - 1199 Marinaside Cr., Vancouver Downtown Condo/Apartment, - More Rentals - New Rentals This Week Your Ad Here Privacy | Security | Site Map | Advertising | FAQ | Masthead | Contact Us REAG: Canadian Real Estate Investment Club Reproduction of material from any Jurock.com pages without written permission is strictly prohibited. 2005 Jurock International Net. All rights reserved. Powered by FeatureWeb

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How We Work: Frequently Asked Questions Overview Agros Development Process Organizational Foundations Where We Work Our Impact People and Progress Sustainability FAQs Overview Organizational Profile Vision and Mission History and Future News Room Board of Directors Careers Contact Us Overview Give Online How to Get Involved Volunteer Overview Service Team Experiences Donor Stories Noemí Fund Central America in Transition Recommended Reading Frequently Asked Questions Background Information Why is land ownership important to the rural poor? Land is a precious asset around the world. It is a primary source of income, security and stability. Families who have the opportunity to own their own parcel of land can farm it to ensure a stable income for their families and preserve it for their children. They will invest in their land, improving the soil while conserving the environment. Through land ownership, rural poor families acquire a viable way of supporting themselves and overcoming their poverty while simultaneously creating a sustainable community. However, for most rural poor families owning land is an unattainable dream. They don't have access to the cash or credit they need to buy land. Their inability to purchase land guarantees many poor people in third-world countries a life of desperate poverty, working for low wages as farmhands or migrant laborers. Rural poor families become trapped in a cycle of poverty. They are left unable to purchase their own land, paying exorbitant rents for basic survival on poor quality land, and working for desperately low wages as farmhands and migrant laborers. Agros helps families in Central America purchase their own land. In doing so, we help rural poor families create viable, healthy, and sustainable communities today, and for generations to come. How Agros Helps Does Agros give families free land, or do they work to purchase their own land? Agros offers rural poor families a hand-up, not a handout. We help families purchase land through low-interest loans. Loan payments fund the purchase of land for new Agros communities. Agros owns the land and provides each family in the new community with a promissory note. The land title is held by Agros until each family repays the cost of their parcel of land. How long does it typically take families to pay off their land loan? Typically, it takes a family seven to 10 years to pay for their land. Once the loan is repaid, the land title is written in the name of both husband and wife, or the name of the one parent in a single parent family. There is a two-year grace period is allowed. The title is then passed on to the family in a land title transfer ceremony. This is an important and joyous event in the community. Is the land legally available? Establishing a legally secure title to the land is an important element of Agros' work. Before land is even considered for purchase, it must be legally available and clear of competing claims. This contributes to the long-range security of the families. What happens if a family can't pay? Occasionally, a family is unable or unwilling to repay the cost of the land. In such cases, the community leadership committee will work within existing community bi-laws to resolve the issue. The Agros Approach How is the Agros approach unique? Agros' approach of working with the rural poor in long-term asset building makes its work unique. With the exception of some government efforts at land distribution, there are few organizations that have been willing to provide long-term land loans to the poor. Agros is also unique in its approach of avoiding dependency and paternalism in its relationship with participants. By working with each community to develop local leadership, governing bodies, and decision-making processes, individuals gain self-esteem and confidence in their own ability to make sound decisions about their future. This is "breaking free from the cycle of poverty" in the most profound way. Agros has discovered that lending to the poor can be a viable credit risk. A small loan can provide a poor family with just enough capital to help them break free from poverty. Families who understand that they will become self-sufficient owners of their own land at the end of their repayment period have great incentive to fulfill their loan obligations. In addition, by focusing its projects on specific geographical areas, Agros is able to maximize the efficiency of its work in rural areas and generate more possibilities for further economic development and impact. What is an Agros Village? An Agros village is a community comprised of a group of selected families (between 25 and 75) in need who are striving together to make a better future for themselves and their children. Each family is lent a parcel of land, materials to build a house and access to an integrated irrigation system. Through additional small business loans, education and accountability, economic sustainability is the goal to enable them to effectively repay the cost of their loans. Each village has community governance with elected positions that decide the goals and priorities based on input from other villagers. Villages have co-ops, community banks and other economically based programs all based on sustainability. How do new projects get started? First, a group of families interested in becoming an Agros village approaches Agros staff in Central America to nominate a village. Agros must then determine the village's degree of need and prioritize accordingly. We have a fixed number of communities that we can start each year according to funding. The Agros offices in each country work with the Seattle office to determine this number. Since the need for land is always greater than the financial resources available to start new communities, tough decisions have to be made. If resources are available to start a new community, Agros field staff will begin to work with potential villagers. Agros field staff work with the community leaders to learn about parcels available for sale, discuss sale price, and to develop negotiating strategies. Field staff survey the land, assess its quality, and determine land titles and water availability. If everything meets our standards and funds are available for land purchase, field staff give community leaders the go-ahead to begin negotiations. Land purchases are typically timed around the agricultural calendar. A parcel will be purchased in time to prepare the land for the first harvest. Simultaneously, Agros field staff get to know the members of the community, while community members learn about Agros' work. Typically, the most important issue for communities to understand is that Agros provides loans and assistance to help farming families build assets, but that we do not provide charity and free handouts. During the initial development phase, Agros provides services such as agricultural credit and training to create a relationship with the group. At this time the community is introduced to Agros and Agros observes the community's ability to cooperate and sees whether it responds well to the challenges of the Agros model. If community members agree to Agros' repayment policy, and if Agros believes there is a good fit, field staff will typically start with a small project, such as providing small 6-month loans for seeds and agricultural supplies. There is always a tremendous need for short-term credit in rural areas. These small projects provide a perfect testing ground for community members to experience the assistance Agros provides, while Agros field staff learn which community members are bona fide farmers who have a willingness to repay their loans and a desire to work hard to overcome their poverty. During this process, entire communities may choose not to continue to work with Agros, or larger groups of participating families may be whittled down to smaller groups. Typically this is due to Agros' repayment policy, which families may not take seriously until their small loan comes due. At this stage, Agros field staff may choose to go through another 6-month loan cycle with a community. This phase may also include agricultural training to help farming families learn appropriate techniques that will increase crop yields, or other training related to health and nutrition, depending on the needs of the community. Building Long-Term Change How does Agros's approach address long-term poverty issues such as rural-urban migration, education, and health? In our experience, land ownership brings tremendous change in the lives of the rural poor. This change cannot help but positively affect large, long-term poverty issues in the following ways: Improved land quality With the prospect of land ownership, families invest in the quality of their soil and new agricultural techniques which boost crop production, stimulate rural economies and bring greater prosperity to rural areas. Through Agros's agricultural training and support for income-generating activities, families can build lasting economic security for themselves and their children. Improved quality of life As income security is established, the quality of life increases and the potential for social unrest and civil conflict is reduced. Agros supports the unfolding of this "virtuous circle" through the elements of its model. By helping poor families purchase land, the development cycle begins. A stronger community Agros's training in leadership and community organization helps develop local leaders who can work together to resolve community problems and plan for an improved future using foresight gained through prior experiences. Improved health A diversified diet leads to better nutrition and better health. As a result, infant death and malnutrition are reduced, providing an incentive to have smaller families. Better educational opportunities Greater economic stability allows parents to part with child labor and enroll their children in school. Agros also helps communities in projects such as school building. Reduced rural-urban migration As economic prospects and quality of life improve, rural families have no reason to migrate. This leads to greater stability and prosperity as urban areas are not flooded with rural migrants looking for a better life. How does Agros's model affect the problem of illegal immigration into the United States? There are many reasons why immigrants leave the rural countryside and come to the United States. Among them are the conditions of extreme poverty in which people live and the lack of opportunities that enable families to overcome their poverty. Many of the people coming to the U.S. illegally are "economic migrants" - people who come in search of work. Poverty conditions and lack of work opportunities at home mean that these economic migrants are willing to leave their families, risk their lives, and find work in some of the least desirable conditions - often as menial laborers and minimum wage workers. Steady work is better than no work, and minimum wage in the U.S. is often more than they can earn in an entire day in their native country. Throughout Central America, political and economic conditions are such that no matter how hard people work, 60 percent are earning less than $1 per day and 40 percent are living below the poverty line. Unemployment and underemployment are rampant in the rural areas. There are simply not enough jobs to go around and no hope that circumstances will change any time soon. By helping rural families purchase land and build thriving communities, Agros provides an alternative for people who believe their only option is to migrate into the city or into another country, such as the U.S. Agros enables families to stay together and to generate income within their own countries and communities. Agros helps families create a livelihood for themselves that can be passed on to their children. As conditions improve, the motivation for becoming an economic migrant disappears. Families stay together, communities are strengthened, and lives are transformed. How do Agros projects help women? Women in developing countries and across Central America face grave challenges. As the primary caretakers of families and children, they are on the front lines of hunger, malnutrition and death in their families. Agros' programs cannot be successful or have a lasting impact if the health of women is in jeopardy. Many women in rural Central America: Lack access to prenatal care and are isolated from modern health facilities Get married as adolescents, start families at a young age, and don't know how to plan the size of their families Have a difficult time keeping their children healthy and well-nourished because they don't know how, or don't have the resources to prepare a well-balanced meal and lack knowledge of basic sanitation Are of poor health themselves because they sacrifice food and other resources for their children and are continuously breast feeding due to multiple consecutive births Agros' programs address the needs of women and children by creating a positive cycle of change. We help women achieve: Education : For young girls who would otherwise marry young and start families when they are little older than children themselves, Agros provides opportunities for them to go to school. Educated girls tend to marry later and their children tend to be healthier. Literacy training : Agros offers literacy training to adults, giving both men and women who were not able to go to school the opportunity to learn how to read and write. Financial independence : Agros trains women to manage a savings account and family finances because women tend to invest in their families. Business expertise : Through microenterprise development, Agros teaches women skills they can use to start their own businesses. Agros also teaches women (and their children) how to raise small animals close to home to generate income. Family planning and health care : Many women have had more than 5 children and have never received a gynecological exam or had access to prenatal care. Through the women's health initiative: Women learn about their bodies in a way that promotes self-esteem. Women with greater self-esteem become active in community organization. They get involved in village decision-making and develop leadership skills. Women receive regular physical exams, many for the first time in their lives. Agros works within the local culture to provide education about birth spacing and birth control so that women and their husbands can make informed decisions about family planning. People talk a lot about the importance of "sustainable development." How are Agros' methods sustainable? Sustainable development is an important element of Agros' work. Agros works to create sustainability in three primary areas: in the environment, in family economics, and in community organizations. Environmental sustainability begins by providing families with land. People take better care of and are more concerned about a resource over which they have ownership. Agros then provides training and technical assistance regarding the use and stewardship of this land. This includes the construction of composting latrines, improved wood burning stoves, and education on soil conservation, organic composting, and agro-forestry techniques. Economic sustainability begins with improved production of basic grains. When a family produces more food on less land, they become more confident in their ability to feed themselves. With food security established, they begin to try things they've never done before, for instance, growing foods that they can sell in the market and use to generate income. Once families begin to generate a stable income, they can begin to pay back their land loans. And once their loans have been repaid (typically within 10 years), they become self-sustaining owners of their own land. From this land, they are able to generate an on-going, stable income and provide an environment in which their children can thrive. Community sustainability is attained in two ways. First, we help give rural families the training to create a local community government that looks to the entire community for participation and decision-making. This becomes the backbone for civic responsibility and participation. It also becomes the primary way communities continue to thrive long after Agros has departed. The second way is through the Noemí Fund. What is the Noemí Fund? The Noemí Fund is a loan fund that provides the capital needed to buy land and develop village infrastructure, including the resources needed to administer and manage this fund. When a new community is started, the loan fund is used to match every dollar raised for the development costs of a new community, including field support and training. As communities begin to repay their loans, the payments are returned to the loan fund. As the loan fund is replenished, new communities can be started. What happens if Agros is not there? If Agros is not there to provide access to land ownership, opportunity and hope for a sustainable life is slowly choked out. Families will continue to face malnutrition. Lack of education will persist. Migration to urban centers will increase as the rural poor seek a viable life. As a result, dysfunctional structures will remain intact without being held accountable. Cities will become overcrowded and the families moving into them unable to find work or hope in their new location. Communities will become even more broken than before, and despair will overwhelm souls. Planning for the Future What are Agros's goals and plans for the future? Through 2006, our primary focus is to consolidate and strengthen existing projects in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Chiapas, Mexico. At the same time, Agros is ramping up organizational and financial capacity to ensure on-going growth past 2006. At the same time, the need for Agros's work is considerable in countries throughout the developing world. There are many opportunities beyond our current geographic focus that will be considered as part of a long-term expansion plan. We have received requests for assistance from communities in Brazil, India, Kenya, the Middle East, Romania and South Africa. Post-2006 expansion will be determined through a process of (1) documenting need amongst the rural poor; (2) engaging in prayer and discernment, (3) identifying local interest and leadership, (4) receiving an invitation to participate, and (5) raising the requisite funds. When these criteria are met, expansion into new geographies will be considered. Our Christian Commitment Is Agros a Christian organization? Agros is comprised of Christians who desire to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ by serving the rural poor regardless of their faith. We agree that spiritual transformation is key to holistic transformation. It is God who ultimately transforms the individual. Agros plays a role in encouraging the spiritual transformation of individuals in Agros communities. Faith plays a crucial role in the holistic development of the Agros communities. International development organizations worldwide recognize the overall importance of faith in development. The church is the community institution that will survive. It also provides the moral compass for the development of the community and its values for the present and future generations. How does religious faith impact the work you do in the field? We try to model and communicate biblical principles to assist in the transformation of lives. Our role in spiritual transformation is expressed by: Sharing and teaching biblical principles underlying our social and physical services: Land purchase and use Land ownership and repayment Work ethic and responsibility Community organization Leadership development Infrastructure development and maintenance Agriculture & enterprise training Health and education Agros personnel being prepared to respond to and answer the "Why" questions. Why is Agros doing this? Why are you doing this personally? Whom does Agros serve? Agros works with landless, rural families of all faiths who have demonstrated their agricultural vocation and a willingness to cooperate with Agros program goals and expectations. In most cases, Agros assists groups that have already been organized and who demonstrate a need and the values of community and concern for each other. We look for a history of working together and an understanding of the importance of hard work. We work with groups of people who have: Initiated a relationship with local Agros staff Committed to abide by the Agros program and principles Demonstrated active leadership that holds values consistent with those of Agros Shown characteristics that lead Agros staff to believe the group has a strong chance of succeeding as a community. In determining the potential for success of a community, one of the factors necessary is a group of believers in the local area (i.e. a church). We may work with groups that have no professing Christians. Our Funding How is Agros Funded? The funding for Agros comes from three primary resources: Individuals, churches and foundations. Individuals and churches support Agros in the following ways: General Giving Walk with a Family Special Projects and Appeals Journey with a Village Country offices also seek out resources from local and international organizations. There are in-kind donations such as trees, seeds and other supplies. Heifer Project International contributes support for training and small animal husbandry. Most recently the Noemí Fund was developed to provide capital needed to jumpstart development and match donations from other sources. This fund was started to make available rotating credit that is repaid, and to supply future capital. How You Can Help How can churches, community organizations, and businesses get involved with Agros? Agros welcomes opportunities to partner with churches, organizations and businesses through its "Journey with a Village" program. This program partners individuals, families, churches, foundations, businesses or community groups with rural landless families in developing countries where Agros works. The purpose of the partnership is to enable these families to purchase their own agricultural land, build a livelihood, restore self-dignity, and overcome poverty. As a JWAV partner, you have the opportunity to help change these families' lives forever by coming alongside them in a financial and relational commitment of up to 5 years. Our typical process is: Meet : Get to know you, introduce you to the work of Agros and explain the JWAV program. Match : Determine if your goals and the community's goals would benefit through partnership. Champion : Help you select a Village Champion to organize a committee and if desired, delegate responsibilities and provide prayer support. Visit : Put together a trip so that you and other potential supporters can meet the families involved in your new potential partnership. Partner : Formalize the partnership through a signed agreement and celebration with the community. How can I make a donation to Agros? Simply on click on Give Now to make and individual donation, or call us at 206-528-1066. Home | Give Now | How We Work | Inside Agros | Get Involved | Learn More | Contact © 2005 Agros International. 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