Dayami became a member 10 years ago upon arriving to Syracuse and learning from community members that CoopFed was, “The bank of the Cuban people” (El banco de los Cubanos). A single mother of two, Dayami was looking for stability and ready to move out of the place she rented on a heavily trafficked road. That’s when Dayami enrolled in housing counseling, created a budget, and then navigated the mortgage and Homebuyer Dream Grant approval process with confidence—all done in her language with translation provided by CoopFed. “I always felt accompanied,” Dayami recalled, “and not being abandoned made me feel good. Through homeownership, Dayami gained the tranquility she was searching for and is proud to live in a home she can call her own, but being witness to what it has meant to her children is the most gratifying, “They feel safe in their rooms and play outside without a worry,” she says. “Seeing my children live well and happily is priceless.”

After being in a car accident in early 2023, Barbara came to CoopFed and was approved for a vehicle loan. At that time, Barbara learned that she could return in 6-8 months for a second look at her loan—and she did. She qualified for a lower rate and a lower monthly payment, helping her keep more money for other necessary expenses and reduce her total interest expense by about $1,500. That wasn’t the first time Barbara found the assistance she needed at CoopFed. She first became a member 20 years ago when a difficult situation put her house at risk. With counseling from the credit union, she was able to refinance her mortgage and preserve her home. From then on, Barbara knew she had a financial partner. Barbara’s initiative helped her save her house and make good financial decisions. Her advice to young people is, “Take classes on finance, and find someone who will help you understand.”

Less than a decade ago Salt City Coffee was a home-based business, selling small batches of coffee roasted in the basement of Aaron’s apartment. It wasn’t until 2017 that his dream of a neighborhood coffee shop came to fruition, with the opening of Salt City Coffee’s first location at 509 W. Onondaga St. But by 2023, Salt City Coffee had three additional locations, 30-plus wholesale clients, and a rising reputation as one of the best cafés and cocktail bars in Syracuse. When the opportunity arose to purchase 509 W. Onondaga St., Aaron came to CoopFed for a commercial mortgage. “They were the place that took a chance on me back in 2017,” Aaron explains, recalling the start-up financing he received to launch that very first shop. “I wanted to work with people I already knew,” he says, “people who have been instrumental to Salt City.” Now, Salt City Coffee is continuing to invest in Syracuse neighborhoods, create local jobs, and bring our community together

When Vassel and Kimberley set their sights on homeownership, they turned to CoopFed for help getting mortgage ready. The couple was surprised to find not only a community lender they could count on, but a certified Housing Counseling program dedicated to educating and supporting them through the homebuying process with objective guidance. “They advised us on getting our credit right and all our bills on track so we could qualify,” recalls Vassel, “and they encouraged us to explore other lenders to see what options were best for us.” It took about a year for Vassel and Kimberley to reach their goal, qualifying for both a mortgage and a Homebuyer Dream grant from CoopFed. The path wasn’t always easy, Kimberley says; they had to learn to “focus on the needs, sacrificing something for something else,” but it was worth it. “I like the independence of being a homeowner,” she says, “having something you achieved. It feels good coming home every day.”