CNote | Borrower Stories

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

At Hope Credit Union, Climate Change Is The Deep South’s Wealth-Building Opportunity Of A Lifetime

When it comes to our shared climate reality, Hope Credit Union’s members are familiar with the ever-expanding narrative. After all, they’re living it. Across the Deep South, summers are getting hotter, power outages are becoming more common, and electric vehicles (EV) are being plugged into more and more homes. Members, however, aren’t just experiencing these…

Small Business Success: The Story of Jeff Trudeau and Concrete Washout Solutions

In 2012, Jeff Trudeau, a seasoned concrete truck operator, saw a growing environmental crisis within the industry he knew so well. Every day, concrete trucks across New England faced a major problem: the improper disposal of washout water. This water, laced with concrete particles and possessing a dangerously high pH, posed a significant environmental threat…