Archive for category: Prestamos Womens Business Center

The strong life experiences that Shaniqua Hopkins has, led her to develop a project to support young girls who have lived in foster care homes and are pregnant. This gave rise to 7th Dream Helping Hearts, a non-profit organization located in Laveen, AZ. 

Teenage Pregnancy 

Shaniqua lived in foster care from the age of 8 months until she was 15 years old. After escaping, getting into trouble, and living on the streets, she became pregnant at the age of 15. It was her enrollment in a school for teenage mothers that changed her life. 

501c3 

In September 2022, 7th Dream Helping Hearts officially started as a non-profit organization that provides resources and products to pregnant teenage girls. They offer free services such as food, diapers, clothing, mentorship, and support groups. 

Life-Changing Events 

Over the past two years, they have helped dozens of individuals through various community activities, such as backpack giveaways, assistance in finding housing, and their flagship program, “Mom and Me,” where they promote visits to museums and parks to strengthen the bond between mothers and children and enhance the psychosocial development of minors. 

Partnerships and Volunteering 

Currently, the organization relies solely on volunteers and partnerships with other non-profit organizations. Their goal is to obtain funds through donations to help a greater number of girls who have lived or are living in temporary foster care and are going through pregnancy. 

Relationship with Prestamos CDFI 

7th Dream Helping Hearts has received support in business mentoring and administrative counseling, including courses, marketing strategies, networking with other organizations, and assistance with a classroom to provide training for the girls. 

A Mexican family tradition crossed the border and has become a successful business selling corn and Chihuahua-style esquites. Cristina Sanchez and her husband began to sell corn cocktails, as they call them, among acquaintances and friends, but they did not imagine that It would lead them to create their own company.

Corn “El Compadre” is a business that emerged a year ago to meet the demand for esquites at events and birthdays. It has been such a success that a couple of months ago they had to formally register the business.

The success of the esquites

Esquites are a Mexican snack that consists of corn grains prepared with cream, cheese, chile, and lime. It is sold in all the states of Mexico and Cristina Sánchez makes them with her husband’s family recipe. The esquites are usually consumed in public places like parks and churches, but the Sanchez family prepares them to take to private parties in Phoenix.

Next challenge

For Corn “El Compadre” it’s next step is to open its own place so that the public who wants to consume esquites in the Phoenix area does not have to wait for a party or public event. At this moment they are working on the search for a place and developing the business plan.

The impact of the WBC

Cristina Sanchez learned about the Women’s Business Center (WBC) through the Mexican Consulate. She enrolled in the Dream Builder program and later in the business mentoring group. “I’ve loved it, they make you see things you don’t know, a lot of support and learning, I feel more prepared than before,” said this entrepreneur on her experience with Prestamos CDFI.

The support of Prestamos CDFI 

Mrs. Sánchez says she is very grateful for all the services and information she received through the various small business support programs from Prestamos CDFI. They helped her develop a business plan and register her LLC at no cost to her. She learned to plan her day-to-day, manage her emotions and balance her work and family time. She is already considering applying for a business loan.