Nilda Velazquez grew up in Puerto Rico and came to the United States in 2010 to get treatment at The Cleveland Clinic following a serious car accident.

BOARDMAN — Nilda Velazquez has always had big dreams.

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Velazquez was heavily involved in sports, music and dance. She reflects on being selected for a grant to study piano, describing her childhood as being “blessed and full of opportunity.”

In 2010, these dreams were put on hold when she was severely injured in a devastating car accident. More than anything, Velazquez needed help and high-quality health care. Upon hearing about Cleveland Clinic and the promise of specialized treatment, she decided to make the move from Puerto Rico to Youngstown to live with family and begin her journey of healing.

After rehabilitation, Velazquez experienced a miraculous recovery and no longer needed a cane to walk. Although she was still not able to work full-time, she volunteered at East High School to teach students about Hispanic culture through dance.

Her students were invited to participate in Youngstown’s Hispanic Heritage Day for which Velazquez choreographed costumed dancers to honor the culture. From this point on, she continued to volunteer at the high school and her church as a missionary while distributing food and resources to those in need.

After the pandemic, everything changed. With a surplus of donated goods from her church,

Velazquez decided to run her own garage sales and continue to raise funds for anyone who needed assistance. Above everything else, Velazquez said she “wanted to show the love of God through the community.”

She said when she first started doing the garage sales at New Life Church, Uptown Cheapskate consignment shop in Boardman started donating clothes to the church. But, a few months later, the church closed its clothing room.

When an opportunity came up for her to share a retail space with a friend in Poland who owned Galaxy Granite and Marble, she finally decided to open a thrift store of her own. In 2022, Angels Missions Quality Consignment Store was born.

Now housed in the former building of Dick Adgate Flower Shop on Market Street in Boardman, her store serves as a beacon of hope for many. The store has an atmosphere of warmth and care as each customer is treated with the utmost respect.

She said her friend from Galaxy helped her remodel the store, including the floors and bathrooms, and obtain clothing racks. Other people have donated consignment items for her to sell.

“We started with nothing, but the Lord is providing,” Velazquez, 52, said.

Angels Missions seeks to foster hope and dignity by partnering with initiatives and organizations that uplift families and individuals alike.

With a variety of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, accessories, toys, furniture and household items, there is something for everyone at Angels Missions. The consignment store offers affordable, high-quality goods while promoting sustainability and reducing waste.

Any donated goods that aren’t sold through Velazquez’s store are sent to the Salvation Army, Goodwill and to various mission trips across the country. During the last Friday of the month, Angels Missions offers meals to those in need.

“It’s a spiritual gratification that money can’t buy,” she said.

Her desire to help others doesn’t stop within the community. Velazquez participates in multiple mission trips across the globe, including a recent trip to El Salvador with New Life Church. She served as a translator during this trip and provided a roof for a house, food, clothes, medicine and school supplies. She brought her love of the arts with her, teaching the children of El Salvador dancing and acting to bring them the message of the Lord.

Now, Velazquez spends her spare time translating and helping the Hispanic community become empowered to seek jobs, find residency and obtain driver’s licenses. During all of this, she takes her 80-year-old friend to chemotherapy every day before work.

Although Velazquez said she has faced discrimination for being Hispanic, disabled and a woman, she said that “the love of God surpasses all barriers.” She continues to break down barriers every day, driven by her love of people and her unwavering motivation to make the world a better place, starting here in Youngstown.

“I am so thankful for all that God has given to me that I want to give back. I am living my dream,” she said.

Velazquez is seeking missionaries and people to help her further support the community. Anyone who wants to help can visit www.angelsmissions.com or volunteer in person at 4527

Market St., Boardman. The thrift store is open 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

To suggest a Friday profile, contact Metro Editor Marly Reichert at mreichert@tribtoday.com or Features Editor Ashley Fox at afox@tribtoday.com.