Unexpected Visits That Change Lives
Juan Díaz arrived from Honduras in 2006 with the hope of moving forward and building a better future. Three years later, in 2009, while doing laundry at a laundromat on South Boulevard, Juan and Nancy noticed a small office right next door. It was Latino Community Credit Union. “We walked in just like that, without thinking much about it,” Juan recalls. With only ten dollars, they opened their first savings account, never imagining that this simple moment would mark the beginning of a journey of growth and support.
For years, that account remained open. When they returned later and realized they were still members, they decided to truly begin saving and growing alongside the credit union. Today, Juan and Nancy speak about the access and opportunities they found, especially for the Latino community who, like them, often didn’t receive support from traditional banks. “Latino Community Credit Union gave us that opportunity as immigrants who want to start businesses, buy a car, buy a home, and move forward.” From that point on, Juan and Nancy grew not only as members, but also as a family and as business owners. They started with a savings account and, over time, accessed vehicle loans, home loans, investment properties, and various financial products that allowed them to build stability and confidence in their future.
Alongside that financial growth, their business was born. Juan began working in construction with a partner, purchasing equipment and learning the trade. When that partner stepped away, Nancy joined him fully. Those were years of extreme sacrifice, days that started before dawn, ended at eleven at night, and left little room for rest. “We slept very little, ate right there, and kept going,” Nancy remembers. “It was five, maybe ten years of a lot of sacrifice.”
Out of that effort came JN Gutters & Construction, LLC, a company specializing primarily in roofing, gutters, and siding. Today, they not only work to support their own family, but also create jobs, subcontract other workers, and directly contribute to the well-being of many families in the community. “We are very happy,” Juan says. “We know there is bread on our table and on many other families’ tables as well.”
Their experience with the credit union has been a fundamental part of their journey. Both highlight the human and respectful treatment they receive every time they visit the South Boulevard branch. “Here, they don’t judge you by how you dress,” Nancy says. “There is always special care and attention.” Juan agrees: “From the moment you walk in until you leave, the service is very good in every department.” Juan and Nancy not only trust the credit union, they actively recommend it. Friends, coworkers, and people new to the country all hear the same advice: “Go to Latino Community Credit Union.” Many even arrive asking directly for employees Juan has recommended, a reflection of the trust built over the years.
Today, when they look back, the feeling is one of deep gratitude. “We never imagined where we would be or where God would take us from,” Juan says. “When we pass by those places and remember, it’s something very beautiful.” Their message to other entrepreneurs is clear and simple: do things the right way, be honest, and don’t give up. Looking ahead, Juan and Nancy hope to continue growing, never give up, and keep contributing to the community, hand in hand with an institution that has walked alongside them from the very beginning.
The story of Juan and Nancy is one of perseverance, hard work, and trust. A story that shows that with support, opportunity, and commitment, dreams can be built, even when they begin with just ten dollars and an unexpected visit from a laundromat.