Welcome!Community First Fund is experiencing a lot of excitement this month. We were featured in a USA Today article and one of our very own lender’s received the SBA Minority Small Business Champion of the Year award! As the warmer months come, Community First is certain to have much more excitement due to this exposure. Thank you for helping make our work possible. Sincerely,
Dan Betancourt, President and CEO USA Today Features Community FirstUSA Today featured Community First Fund in the paper’s Money section Thursday, April 16, 2009. The article used Community First as an example of the work of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) across the nation in financing small businesses. CDFI’s stand to gain additional federal funding through the stimulus package, which will help to bring even more business growth opportunities to communities such as those serviced by Community First. Since the article was published, Community First has received a lot of positive feedback from the community including another article in the local Lancaster New Era paper. When asked by the Lancaster New Era about the possible increase in Federal funding, Community First Fund’s President and CEO, Dan Betancourt, said, “We’re trying to stay ahead of the curve… this will allow us to serve all of our clients who qualify and have a need.” |
Miriam Soto receives SBA Minority Small Business Champion of the Year awardMiriam Soto was nominated by the staff of Community First Fund to receive the SBA’s Minority Small Business Champion of the Year award for her tireless advocacy of women and minority owned small businesses. While never an entrepreneur herself, Ms. Soto has witnessed many businesses come and go in the neighborhood where she grew up and still resides. Her work has helped many to remain as permanent fixtures. Ms. Soto began working for Community First in January of 2003 and now plays a vital role at Community First as a lender, as a business counselor and as a trainer in the Women’s Business Center. When asked, Ms. Soto said she was excited to receive the award, but more so appreciated the recognition from her colleagues. “It is nice to be acknowledged for something that I love to do. Advocating, working with clients and helping them remove barriers comes easily to me.” |
Client Chronicle: La Estrella
Recently, La Estrella has come to include a specialty clothing and boot section as well as room for music and DVD’s. Moises’ latest project is the addition of a restaurant in the back that will serve traditional Mexican cuisine including burritos, tacos and quesadillas. One day he hopes to corner another local area market by purchasing a tortilla maker and providing fresh tortillas for both his restaurant as well as for retail sale. Moises dream for his store continues to grow and may expand to new locations in Harrisburg as he continues to provide a valuable service to the area’s community. To read more client chronicles click here. |
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La Estrella (The Star) is Allison Hill’s only neighborhood Mexican grocery store. Moises Sandoval first opened a small grocery store in 1997 with a personal investment of $14,000. Over the years, La Estrella has developed and grown from a small corner store, to an extensive Mexican foods store. In 2007, Moises approached Community First Fund about a loan to purchase and renovate the store’s building, which includes four apartments.
