Emad Yassa of Colorado Springs urges individuals to rethink how impact is created in underserved communities

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 / Emad Yassa, Founder and Chairman of Touch of Love International (TOLI), is raising awareness around the role of dignity-based microfinance in creating lasting change in underserved communities across the globe. Drawing on nearly two decades of nonprofit leadership and a career rooted in building sustainable systems, Yassa is advocating for approaches that prioritize responsibility, self-sufficiency, and long-term impact.

"Too often, people think help means dependency," Yassa says. "Real help is giving someone the tools and trust to move forward on their own."

Touch of Love International, founded by Yassa in 2006, operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing micro-loans in Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Nicaragua. These small loans support local entrepreneurs in starting or expanding businesses, helping families generate stable income and build economic resilience within their communities.

According to global development data, over 1.4 billion adults worldwide remain unbanked, lacking access to traditional financial services. Microfinance initiatives have been shown to significantly improve household income stability, education access, and food security when paired with local accountability and community engagement.

"Micro-loans are powerful because they respect people," Yassa explains. "You're not telling them what to do. You're trusting them to decide what's best for their families."

Yassa's advocacy is shaped by his background in healthcare leadership and entrepreneurship. Before dedicating himself fully to ministry, he spent decades building and leading outpatient clinics in California and Colorado. That experience taught him the importance of systems, discipline, and measurable outcomes.

"Whether you're running a business or a nonprofit, the principles are the same," he says. "You listen carefully, you plan thoughtfully, and you stay accountable."

Unlike traditional aid models that focus on short-term relief, microfinance emphasizes sustainability. Studies show that small business ownership in developing regions can increase household income by up to 30% over time, while also strengthening local economies through job creation.

Yassa believes individuals can play a meaningful role without needing to be experts or donors to large institutions.

"Awareness is the first step," he says. "People can learn, share information, support ethical organizations, and think differently about what impact really looks like."

He encourages individuals to educate themselves about how economic empowerment works, to support organizations that prioritize dignity and accountability, and to consider how everyday choices-such as ethical purchasing or community involvement-can contribute to broader change.

"You don't have to travel across the world to make a difference," Yassa adds. "You start by changing how you see people."

As global economic challenges continue to affect vulnerable populations, Yassa emphasizes the importance of steady, values-driven leadership.

"Impact doesn't come from noise," he says. "It comes from consistency."

Call to Action

Individuals interested in making a difference can start by learning more about dignity-based microfinance, supporting responsible nonprofits, and sharing credible information within their own networks. Small, informed actions-taken consistently-can contribute to lasting change.

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About Emad Yassa

Emad Yassa is the Founder and Chairman of Touch of Love International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to economic empowerment through micro-loans in underprivileged communities. Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Yassa brings decades of leadership experience from healthcare, entrepreneurship, and global philanthropy, with a focus on sustainability, accountability, and human dignity.

Learn more about Touch of Love International's mission and values at https://toli.org/mission-values.

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SOURCE: Emad Yassa



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