When Aysha Cooper’s grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, she learned firsthand about the changing needs of seniors and the stressful demands caregiving can have on family members.
That painful experience inspired her to open SarahCare of Snellville (Georgia), part of an Ohio-based franchise. The center provides daylong care for seniors with dementia and other cognitive disorders – and a respite for their families and caregivers. Adult day centers also provide a more affordable alternative to residential facilities, which offers caregivers more options for their senior family members.
SarahCare of Snellville opened its doors in early 2010 and has doubled in size since. Employing 14 staff, Ms. Cooper has expanded the facility to accommodate more seniors, thanks to a loan from Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit community lender with a mission to help entrepreneurs launch, grow and strengthen their businesses."We had been open for about a year when I realized we needed more capital," Cooper said. "That's when I heard about ACE. I love the business advisory services, and I've participated in several workshops that have helped me develop long-range plans for growth."
Cooper also used the loan to purchase a company van to transport clients.
"I am forever grateful to ACE, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dream, not only for me, but for my family," said Cooper. "I could not have done this without the loan from ACE."
Since 2010, Cooper has received three loans from ACE to expand her business to meet growing demand for services.
Praxis Mutual Funds® supports programs and projects like ACE through investments in Calvert Foundation, an impact-investing institution that helps people around the world through community development financing. It’s part of the Praxis commitment to place approximately 1 percent of each of its funds to benefit neighborhoods and individuals through community development investments.
For more stories about people who have benefitted from these investments, visit Praxis Community Development Investments. This story is originally from the Praxis community development investing map.
About Praxis Mutual Funds and Everence®
Praxis Mutual Funds is a leading faith-based, socially responsible family of mutual funds designed to help people and groups integrate their finances with their values. Praxis is the mutual fund family of Everence Financial, a comprehensive, faith-based financial services organization helping individuals, organizations and congregations. To learn more, visit praxismutualfunds.com and everence.com, or call (800) 348-7468.
Everence helps individuals, organizations and congregations integrate finances with faith through a national team of advisors and representatives. Everence offers banking, insurance and financial services with community benefits and stewardship education. To learn more, visit everence.com or call (800) 348-7468.
About Calvert Foundation
Calvert Foundation enables people to invest for social good. Through its flagship Community Investment Note®, more than 15,000 investors have channeled more than $1 billion in investments to hundreds of nonprofits and social enterprises worldwide. Investor dollars empower women, fund construction of affordable housing, provide loans to small-business owners, increase access to health care, and support fair trade and sustainable agriculture. To learn more, visit calvertfoundation.org.