Category: Borrower Stories
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Brewing Resilience and Serving Community: Small Business Stories Fueling L.A.’s Recovery
When California’s wildfires swept through Los Angeles this year, their impact went far beyond charred landscapes, it disrupted the heartbeat of neighborhoods and shook the foundations of small, community-driven businesses. Yet amid the smoke and uncertainty, two local entrepreneurs; Natalie of Cafecita Coffee and Roozbeh of Delphi Greek Restaurant, stood as living testaments to the…
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“What Made Me Stay All These Years”: Asta Cummings and the Heart of Brooklyn Coop
Finding Purpose in Financial Services Nine years ago, Asta Cummings thought she’d be working in film. After high school, she’d spent time with Reel Works, even making a short movie about her experiences growing up. But when she saw Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union at a job fair, something shifted. “I was immediately drawn to…
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From Community Investment to Disaster Resilience: David Parker’s Journey of Entrepreneurship and Impact
Growing Up in Summerville: The Roots of Innovation David Parker’s journey from small-town Summerville to running a thriving business is rooted in his hard work, ingenuity, and the unwavering support of his community. Growing up, he wasn’t just a curious child—he was a natural problem-solver. Raised on a family farm, David learned early that when…
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Expanding Access to Pediatric Care: How Samuel Rodgers Health Center and Central Bank of Kansas City Are Building a Healthier Future
In Kansas City’s most low-income neighborhoods, families face growing barriers to accessing consistent, high-quality healthcare—especially for children covered by Medicaid. For decades, Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (Sam Rodgers) has been a cornerstone of care for the community, offering comprehensive health services to patients regardless of income, insurance status, or background. In 2024 alone, the…
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How One Credit Union Is Helping Families Avoid Foreclosure and Stay in Their Homes
When a Crisis Hit, a Mission-Driven Financial Institution Stepped In The pandemic disrupted lives across the world—and for Christine V., it was the spark that set off a chain of challenges. She lost her job, her kids got sick, and over time, she found herself more than $33,000 behind on her mortgage payments. On the…
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How Genesis Helped Shalom House Transform a Historic Property into Supportive Housing for People with Substance Use Disorder
In 2018, the closure of Serenity House, a long-running sober living facility in Portland, left a critical gap in housing and treatment resources for local individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder. The historic property at 30 Mellen Street had been a beacon of hope, but, empty, it highlighted Portland’s pressing need for supportive housing…
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Celebrating Black Entrepreneurs: 6 Stories of Resilience and Impact
Black History Month is a time to honor the profound contributions of Black individuals to our society. Throughout history Black entrepreneurs have demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation, driving economic growth and fostering community development. However, disparities persist. In 2022, Black-owned businesses constituted about 3% of U.S. firms, with over 194,000 enterprises employing 1.6 million people…
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Small Business Spotlight: A Check-In with Cortaiga Collins
Cortaiga Collins: Redefining Community Impact When we first introduced Cortaiga Collins in 2021, she was on the verge of a major milestone: opening the doors to a new, state-of-the-art facility for her thriving childcare business, Good Shepherd Preschool and Infant/Toddler Center. At the time, her story captivated readers as she shared her journey from being…
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Small Farms: Meet Brooklyn Packers Connecting Farms to the Big Apple
Steph Wiley has been an entrepreneur almost as long as he’s been a New Yorker—and he’s been a New Yorker his entire life. At first, Steph owned a dog-walking business in lower Manhattan for more than 10 years before starting a community organizing business with his partner. In addition to being an entrepreneur, Steph is…
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Meet Piedmont Community Services, The Behavioral Health Service Provider Taking Care of Its Community
Greg Preston always wanted to return to his hometown and give back to his community. At first, Greg worked at the local Department of Social Services. Now, 25 years later? Greg is the organizations executive director.