We grew up with very little—but with big dreams and lots of culture. And we’d give anything and more to help our siblings and our familias. 

That’s the comunidad I’m proud to say I come from. 

My name is Ramona Martinez, and Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) is where I began my career of service to the community. 

I was first hired at CPLC straight out of high school in 1980 and started working the first week in January—I don’t recall the exact date. And although my first job was in an administrative role with the Youth Career Mobility Program, my dedication and big aspirations allowed me to rise through the ranks. I had supportive peers, and I was fortunate to have great leaders guiding me personally and professionally in each role. 

I would never pass on an opportunity to learn more or take on a new task, and I feel that paid off in many ways. I became knowledgeable in various roles within payroll, accounting, and then in the finance department. Of course, we were much smaller then. But my last—and most satisfying—position was managing the CPLC Federal Credit Union. 

There were then—and may still be—many barriers that stop people from achieving their financial dreams, including feeling comfortable enough to use a savings or checking account at a traditional institution. In our community, language was and may still be a big issue for some. 

So, at the CPLC credit union, it was second nature to meet new people and make them feel at ease with us, even when they were initially afraid to walk into a big bank because they didn’t speak the language (English) or were insecure about their accent. Others thought they weren’t bankable. And yet others had already been denied many times when applying for loans. 

For many, the credit union was their last hope. One of our success stories was helping a family with a small loan to start their own tortillería business. 

At CPLC, we made people feel comfortable, explained the process and criteria, and didn’t turn someone away without a plan to follow if they didn’t qualify. If someone wasn’t eligible for a loan, we would outline the steps needed to become eligible. We’d teach them how to improve their credit score and manage debt, as well as encourage them to save money. And we even helped a few clients get into a few mortgage loans to gain the benefits of homeownership. 

Through the credit union, members of our community knew they could access the tools and information they needed to take power over their own lives. 

Amongst the other jobs I was doing, I realized helping people become homeowners—especially first-time homebuyers—was my passion. The home is the smallest building block of comunidad—it's where we eat together, tell family stories, and pass on traditions. 

Owning your own home provides the stability needed to raise your family and start building generational wealth. And I wanted to see the residents of nuestra comunidad succeed. 

Soon, I left CPLC to specialize in mortgage loan origination. This allowed me to learn more and focus solely on helping others achieve homeownership on a wider scale. 

Twenty years later, I heard CPLC was opening a mortgage entity, CPLC Home Lending, LLC. 

And of course, I was happy to get an opportunity to apply, and very fortunate to return home, where I started my professional roots. 

I still remember back when a barrio was bought out to build a new highway. A member of the credit union needed a loan to move his new home a few blocks down from the land where it had been. Other banks turned him away, but we were able to help. 

Just like 45 years ago, today CPLC continues to prioritize the homebuyer’s needs and ensure they have the tools they need to make well-informed decisions. 

I’m proud of CPLC. But I’m even more proud of our community’s resilience, determination, and optimism. 

Desde La Raíz, we move forward together. 

Sincerely, 

Ramona Martinez 
VP Home Lending Director, R.I. 
NMLS 594184