Microfinance and Microbrews Bellingham: March 22

This month SeaMo will co-host the first Microfinance and Microbrews in Belligham.  Join us in Bellingham as we feature  Totem at the March Microfinance and Microbrews event.

When: March 22, 8 to 9:30 pm RSVP on Facebook

Where: New York Pizza and Bar at 902 North State Street, Bellingham, WA 98225

Patrick McEvoy of Bellingham based Totem LLC will talk about their microfinance institution located in Villa Victoria, Mexico, and how their for-profit model allows them to connect US social investors directly with the ideas and projects of the Mexican underprivileged.

Totem was founded in September of 2008 by a cross-border organization (the name Totem is an acronym in Spanish for this alliance of Mexican and American employers, investors, capital, and employees), and works in the rural highlands of Mexico. When most microfinance institutions in this region are focused on and based out of the major cities, Totem is dedicated to bringing banking and credit to the poorest and most rural areas. Totem’s main objectives are to partner with our customers and provide credit as a tool for overcoming poverty, to to help overcome the humility of the banking system for the poor, and to restore the sense of responsibility and pride in creating a working business model.  In addition to having both American and Mexican owners, Totem is also funded by both American and Mexican investors.

Patrick McEvoy was raised in Bellingham and attended the University of Washington. He lived in Mexico from 2001-2006 and, along with is wife Adalid, worked with Fundacion Realidad (the World Vision microfinance arm). They currently live in Bellingham.