Two men sitting at a table with laptops

Our Mission

The MICAH program exists to help neighbors in financial distress through financial mentoring and low-cost loans as an alternative to predatory loans.

What is The MICAH Program?

  • The name of the program is taken from Micah 6:8: "Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God."
  • MICAH is an acronym for Micro-loan Assistance and Financial Health Program.
  • As an alternative to high cost predatory loans, MICAH helps provide under-served neighbors with a low-cost loan, along with financial mentorship and support. In so doing, we assist our neighbors in achieving greater financial security.
  • Our partner, Self-Help Credit Union, makes the loan at a low-interest rate (4% above the current savings deposit interest rate).
  • MICAH facilitates a one-time loan of up to $1500, with the expectation that the loan will be repaid.
  • MICAH loans are used to pay for a car repair, a home repair, a predatory loan, a security deposit for an apartment, or medical expenses not covered by insurance.
  • Neighbors who don’t qualify for a loan under the MICAH Program are offered counseling and support from MICAH and are referred to agencies in the community for help.

How did The MICAH Program get started?

  • In 2020, individuals with St. Anthony Catholic Church in Greenville formed a South Carolina non-profit corporation named "MICAH Program, Inc." to administer this program and started facilitating loans.

How does The MICAH Program support our neighbors?

  • Volunteer mentors are the heart of MICAH's service to neighbors in financial distress.
  • Mentors are not required to have specific financial expertise but have good, common sense financial experience and undergo training in financial coaching and mentoring.