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We’re delighted to share a few testimonials from the communities we serve, showcasing the transformative impact of our initiatives. At CFR, we are committed to helping our partners achieve their goals and improve the quality of life for those they support. 

Testimonials shared were provided by the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation of Greater Kansas City (HEDC):

“Thank you. I’m going to be able to use the money to buy groceries for the week.”

— Patricia

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We have a client who has difficulties with learning and does not speak English. When it was time to activate her Focus Card, she had trouble doing so. We called the number provided on the card, and the service she received from a [US] Bank team member was impressive. The patience the bank representative showed while guiding the client was very pleasant for me and even more so for our client. This experience was crucial because it allowed the client to access her funds, which she was planning to use to buy a computer since she is a student in our Digital Literacy Program Level I.

However, since we knew her financial needs, the organization decided to lend her a computer for her to learn. Once she reaches a more advanced level, we will sell her a computer. For now, she uses her funds to pay for essential needs like groceries.

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A family of five, where the husband is the sole income earner, was going through a tough situation. The wife suffered a stroke, which resulted in significant medical expenses. When I first mentioned the Focus Card to the couple and suggested that we could also provide it to their children, they initially said they would think about it. I assured them that their personal and legal information would not be shared with anyone. After a few meetings, the family agreed, and we issued each of them a Focus Card.

This came at a perfect time because the eldest son had just started working and, although he had already opened a bank account, when we gave him the Focus Card, the family asked for my opinion on a loan for the eldest son, who had just started his job and wanted to buy a vehicle. We discussed it, and I recommended that he start saving money to pay for the vehicle in cash, so he wouldn’t have a car payment, especially since this was his first job, and we didn’t yet know how many hours or the average amount he would be earning.

I recently spoke with the wife, and she shared the news that their son had bought his vehicle in cash. After our meeting, he focused on working and saving, doing both his job and other small jobs on the side. The other two kids are focusing on using their cards for savings because, once they are old enough to start working, they want to buy their vehicles in cash as well. The parents have been using their cards to pay for the internet at home. They are very pleased and feel blessed for the help that came when they needed it the most.

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These success stories are a powerful reminder of how important our work is. They illustrate the impact that direct cash can have on helping families meet their basic needs, providing stability and opportunities for growth. 

They also underscore that access to equitable banking products is not just a service but a fundamental human right. As we continue our efforts, CFR is committed to ensuring that everyone has the financial tools they need to thrive and succeed.