New immigrant takes another step toward her dream with a loan from ACCION USA

In 2000, when she found out that her daughter needed a heart transplant, Jocelyn left Haiti for Miami, where she knew her daughter would get better medical care. She taught herself English by watching television. Then she got two jobs, one as a food server in a daycare, and another on the housekeeping staff of a casino.

A will to succeed
A single mother of two, Jocelyn earns only $7.47 an hour, but she still sends money home to her family in Haiti. "Life is better here because you can find a job," she says. "In Haiti you have to create a job or you need connections to get one."

Jocelyn dreams of buying a house, and moving her family out of the cramped, cockroach infested apartment they currently occupy. Like many immigrants, however, Jocelyn arrived in the U.S. with no credit history - she couldn't qualify for cell phone service, let alone a mortgage.

Earning credit
When Jocelyn learned that ACCION USA offered special loans to help people establish a credit record, she walked in and applied. The loan officer told her she needed a bank account before she could be approved, so Jocelyn left, opened an account, and came back. In November of 2005, she was approved for her first $500 loan. When she pays it back, ACCION USA will report her good credit to the credit bureaus, giving Jocelyn the credentials she needs to borrow in the future. 

Jocelyn wishes she didn't have to work such long hours, but she is hopeful that with credit and hard work she will be able to improve her situation, and build the life she dreams of for her son and daughter.

Do you need to build credit?
If you need to establish a credit history or find ways to improve your credit rating, Come to our office and apply for a Credit Builder loan today.