The Junta for Progressive Action has been providing culturally responsive social services to Greater New Haven’s Hispanic community for over 50 years assisting in anything from rental payment assistance to disaster relief in the wake of major events such as Hurricane Maria. They approached C4C to help finance the purchase of 175 Grand Avenue which is adjacent to their current office located at 169 Grand Avenue, New Haven. Fair Haven, one of the neighborhoods the Junta provides services to, has traditionally served as the landing for newcomers to New Haven. It has become even more diverse with the recent settlement of new residents from the Middle East and Africa. Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, a community partner, has played a key role in welcoming these individuals and families into the neighborhood. Their presence has added to the rich cultural quilt of Fair Haven. Grand Avenue, the center of commerce, is the most vibrant business corridor in New Haven with traditional American Main Street style architecture. Among features that add to its sense of community, the neighborhood boasts settler style homes providing sidewalks and front porches where people socialize with neighbors. Fair Haven has many grassroots organizations that advocate for equity and social justice to include JUNTA for Progressive Action, Centro San Jose, New Reach, Semillas Colectiva, Unidos Latinos en Acción, Bregamos Community Theater, Collective Consciousness Theater, and Music Haven. Junta plans to move their administrative offices, currently located at 169 Grand Avenue, to 175 Grand Avenue. This purchase is part of a larger strategic vision that Junta and the Board of Directors are embarking on as a logical extension of Junta’s mission. As a part of this effort, Junta was able to secure the mortgage to purchase the property next door. "C4C made its decision based on our 50+ years as a grassroots nonprofit with a long track record and was willing to invest in our growth as we set about expanding the agency's mission beyond a social services agency," said Junta's Director, Frederic De Pourcq. "The Junta Board of Directors was very appreciative of C4C's overall support and the professional flexibility it extended to us throughout the entire application process." Junta’s plan is to develop its existing building into a cultural center. This would allow the preservation and promotion of multicultural Hispanic identities within the broader Hispanic diaspora, both locally and regionally. “As the point person for the Junta Board of Directors for this acquisition, I had worked previously with Earl Randall, C4C's Director of Programs & Small Business Lending, on another financing project for my agency” the Director added, “because of that positive experience, both in terms of outcome and the overall process itself, C4C was the first lending institution that I reached out to when this opportunity presented itself. Not only was he always readily available, but Mr. Randall was also very supportive in assisting Junta navigate any potential barriers that might jeopardize the overall goal of this project.” Junta has better opportunities now. Having recently acquired the adjacent property new vision and growth, Junta is preparing to become a space not only where social services are provided but where the community can come together and continue its mission for equity and social justice. As part of the new vision, Junta will grow into a space where Fair Haven's diverse culture can be passed on to future generations.