This is Michael’s story in his own words.

At age 60, while living in a sober living house (a house for folks recovering from either an alcohol or drug addiction), I met Liz Joiner, a coach with Operation HOPE. The thought of someone supporting me in becoming successful in business and handling finances seemed like a really good idea for me and my recovery. I promised her I would schedule an appointment to meet. I was not aware of the impact she would have on my life.

Two areas of my life were about to improve significantly: financial maturity including credit building, and business development.

Regarding financial growth — financial literacy was not taught in my family. Even though my father had grade-A excellent credit, it was not something he taught me. Before meeting Liz, I had never been able to save money beyond a single two-week pay period. I never had any savings. I have never carried an active credit card account past six months without it being canceled due to nonpayment.

As for business development — over my adult life I attempted several businesses that never got off the ground. From selling Malcolm X tapes and books by African American authors in the late ’80s out of the trunk of my car, to creating a nonprofit organization that addressed social justice concerns during the summer of George Floyd’s death, I never had the ability to create something sustainable.

Since February of 2025, I’ve been working with Liz as my coach. In that short period of time, I’ve become a published author, created a YouTube channel focused on spiritual wellness content, and developed a workshop that guides people through a journaling process that leads to healing and wellness. I have the beginnings of a faith-based spiritual wellness coaching business. In January 2026, I facilitated my first Fortitude Foundations Workshop as a Recovery Wellness Coach, hosted by the Salvation Army Jacksonville Area Command. The plan is to continue growing my faith-based coaching business through book sales, facilitating workshops, and personalized wellness coaching — primarily through virtual platforms and YouTube.

I am experiencing the longest period in my life of maintaining a checking account in good standing. For the first time, I have built savings exceeding $2,000 and have begun investing in stocks, even on a small scale. I currently maintain two credit cards in good standing — one of which I’ve held for over a year — and my credit score is steadily improving from fair toward good.

The most significant addition to my financial lifestyle is that I now regularly have conversations with my adult daughters about generational wealth, savings, and investing.

Through encouragement, leadership, and consistent coaching, my life is better. I’m grateful to Operation HOPE and Liz Joiner for their investment in me, which has helped place my life on a purposeful path.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post From Receiving Support to Becoming the Support: Michael’s Success Journey appeared first on Operation HOPE.

“I first reached out to Operation HOPE to discuss credit building,” she explained. “My credit score had dropped immensely from what I had in prior years.”

Like many in the aviation industry, Arianna’s income down-shifted during COVID. As her pay decreased, her reliance on credit cards increased. One balance transfer led to another. Eventually, two credit cards were fully maxed out. Then came additional financial responsibilities including a new car co-signed with a significant other. By 2023, the weight of it all was hard to ignore.

Rather than avoid it, she sought help.

Arianna learned about Operation HOPE through Delta’s wellness and financial wellbeing team, as a part of the HOPE Inside the Workplace program. She was connected to Financial Wellbeing Coach Nikki Jones in Marietta, Georgia.

What started as credit repair quickly became something deeper.

“One of the big things that really helped me was doing budgets and being accountable for those budgets,” Arianna said.

Budgeting wasn’t new to her. She had created budgets before. But this time was different. With Nikki’s guidance, the process moved beyond intention to implementation.

“I made sure I had a budget before the month started and understood where my problem areas were,” she said. “Then I was able to look back each month and see how I actually did.”

That follow-up — looking back at how she actually spent her money — was transformative. “That level of accountability helped me make choices and be more responsible… so at the end of the month I wasn’t so embarrassed about how I spent my money.”

One expense stood out immediately: “How I spent my money to eat out was insane,” she said.

The shift wasn’t about cutting everything out — it was about understanding where her money was going and making more intentional choices. Instead of imposing rigid rules, Nikki helped Arianna build a plan that worked with her lifestyle. Given the nature of her work and how frequently she was on the move, eating out was part of her reality. The goal wasn’t to eliminate it entirely — it was to bring it under control.

“Nikki really listened and let me talk it out,” Arianna said. During her first full month working with Nikki in April 2024, Arianna was spending approximately $900 eating out. One year later, that number had dropped to $150 or less per month.

Over the course of a year and a half, Arianna’s small, consistent financial decisions added up. She saved more than $11,000 and increased her credit score by 61 points. The numbers are impressive — but what excites her most is what they represent.

“I’m excited to spend my money wisely,” she said, “and to be able to share that knowledge with other people and get them excited about being able to be financially free and debt free.”

Now, with her credit steadily improving and savings growing, Arianna has her sights set on a new goal: saving for a house down payment.

Her journey is proof that financial transformation doesn’t always begin with a windfall or a dramatic turnaround. Sometimes, it begins with a hard look at the numbers — and someone willing to help you stay accountable to them.

For Arianna, the breakthrough wasn’t just budgeting. It was taking ownership and building momentum month after month.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post From Maxed-Out Cards to Savings Momentum: The Power of Financial Accountability appeared first on Operation HOPE.

That’s when his father stepped in.

A retired fireman who had long emphasized the importance of financial literacy, he introduced Kyle to the work of Operation HOPE through founder John Hope Bryant’s books on the topic.

After absorbing Mr. Bryant’s guidance, Kyle decided to explore Operation HOPE’s Credit and Money Management program.

“I came in first just for overall understanding of budgeting,” he explained. “I knew anything that I wanted to get is going to cost money, so making sure you’re not overspending and tracking where your money is going in or going out.”

Working with Financial Wellbeing Coach Syreeta Lewis helped translate those general goals into practical steps.

As Kyle began reviewing his budget, one issue became immediately clear: he was overspending by several hundred dollars each month on eating out.

“It would be a lot of DoorDash orders for lunch at work or fast food for dinner,” Kyle said.

With Syreeta’s guidance, Kyle began grocery shopping, meal prepping, and using an Instant Pot to cook meals throughout the week. The shift made an immediate difference.

“That saved me an extra $100 instead of just always going out to eat,” he said.

Small adjustments added up quickly. But Syreeta’s support didn’t stop with budgeting. She also helped Kyle take a closer look at his credit report—something many young people overlook until they are trying to get a loan.

Kyle discovered that an inactive Pandora account opened years earlier was negatively affecting his credit score, so he worked with Syreeta to have it removed from his credit report.

“I didn’t realize that does affect your credit score,” Kyle explained.

Just as important as the tactical guidance was Syreeta’s coaching style.

“She was very patient, very understanding,” Kyle said. “If there were certain topics I didn’t understand, she would always take her time to explain to me, give me different analogies.”

That openness also made it easier for Kyle to talk honestly about past financial missteps:

“Being able to be vulnerable—admitting I didn’t know certain topics well or that I was making negative financial decisions—but knowing there’s still time to correct them and do better.”

Over time, those efforts made a measurable difference. With the support of Syreeta, financial education tools from Operation HOPE, and staying consistent with on-time payments, Kyle’s score climbed from 558 to 723.

With improved credit and reduced expenses, his focus has shifted to growing his savings for a car and an apartment. He’s also exploring opening an account with a credit union to continue strengthening his financial foundation.

But perhaps the biggest shift has been in mindset. Learning financial literacy, Kyle said, feels like gaining a new kind of power.

“It does feel somewhat of a superpower,” he shared. “You have more of the power to control your goals and your destiny.”

Instead of “walking through a dark tunnel,” Kyle now says he feels equipped with “an ultra-bright flashlight” to choose his own path forward.

For someone just beginning their financial journey, that confidence may be the most valuable asset of all.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post Making Financial Literacy a “Superpower” with Operation HOPE’s Help appeared first on Operation HOPE.

At the time, Nyanna was living in Massachusetts and working in politics. She was actively seeking spaces that aligned with her values and was eager to learn from others committed to uplifting their communities. Kendrick, meanwhile, was building his life and leadership in Alabama, centralized in community engagement.

Kendrick and Nyanna met on the second day of the 2022 Forums gathering during a refreshment break, and the conversation quickly turned meaningful. They discovered that they shared a deep commitment to helping others. Nyanna spoke about her family’s nonprofit, The Focus Is Our Children, and her own initiative, Move in Love—both centered on providing community resources and spreading kindness. Kendrick shared his work organizing an annual anti-bullying event that brings together city leaders, mental health professionals and local families. In fact, the Phenix City Mayor was the one who introduced him to his Operation HOPE Coach, Mike Lainez.

For Nyanna, the Forum’s power was in its diversity and reach. “It was amazing to be around so many people of color of different descents…doing amazing work in their communities,” she said. Just as impactful were the ideas attendees could take home. “You can go to conferences and learn a lot, but it’s really about what you bring back to your own community to help it flourish. That conference helped me see things more clearly—it gave me more insight, and honestly, it gave me hope.”

Kendrick found inspiration in the unexpected moments—especially watching Operation HOPE Founder and CEO John Hope Bryant on stage. Seeing Bryant confidently ask for sponsorships and partnerships in real time shifted Kendrick’s mindset. “Watching him ask for help like that really opened my mind,” he said. It reframed how Kendrick viewed leadership, showing him that asking for help wasn’t a weakness, but a necessary part of scaling his work to benefit the community.

After they went home to their own states, they stayed in touch and eventually married. In 2025, they returned to the HOPE Global Forums together—and brought their one-year-old son! “It felt like an anniversary gift,” Kendrick said.

While the conference helped bring them together around shared values and community impact, it also sparked personal financial growth. One message from John Hope Bryant resonated deeply with both of them: homeownership as a pathway to building wealth. They began to see buying a home not just as a milestone, but as a strategic step toward long-term stability and generational opportunity—and they committed to working toward it together.

Through Kendrick’s success working with Mike, Nyanna was inspired to enroll in Operation HOPE’s Credit & Money Management Program, where she partnered with Coach Syreeta Garrick. Through their individual financial coaching journeys, they were able to position themselves well to buy a home together in Alabama.

Today, Kendrick and Nyanna are looking ahead with the same curiosity and openness that first brought them to the HOPE Global Forums. They’re focused on building emergency savings, traveling, and eventually building a new home on land Kendrick owns. For them, travel isn’t just about seeing new places—like that first HOPE Global Forums gathering, it’s about the experiences that stretch their thinking. “You never know who you’ll meet when you get out of your comfort zone,” said Nyanna.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post From Shared Purpose to Lasting Connection: A HOPE Global Forums Love Story appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Written by Glorines Santiago, Credit & Money Management Coach in Hollywood, FL 

I wanted to share a moment that truly brought me joy and reminded me why we do what we do.

Earlier this year, I began working with a client named Sharon, whose credit score was at 0. She faced every obstacle imaginable: financial, technological, and emotional. Sharon came to us seeking a second chance in life, filled with hope and determination.

Technology was a major challenge for her, as it is for many of our clients. But Sharon remained committed. She visited my office weekly, sometimes more, just to learn the basics. Between myself and our branch manager, we worked closely with her to teach her how to use the ATM, navigate digital tools, and begin establishing credit.

Fast forward to today, Sharon just called to tell me she bought a car! This was something that wasn’t even on her radar back in June, when she was focused on simply rebuilding the basics. Tomorrow, she’s coming by to show me her new car and work together to adjust her budget to include the car payment.

Sharon shared, “my credit needed help and this program made it happen. Now I’m back on the road in a reliable car.”

This is more than just a financial win; it’s a life transformation. It’s proof that with guidance, consistency, and belief, our clients can achieve what once felt impossible.

Let’s keep planting seeds of HOPE.

The post From a “0” Credit Score to a New Car appeared first on Operation HOPE.

At that time, Dezani shared he needed structure: “I was just spending crazy amounts on food, clothes, shoes …. I also started investing in cryptocurrency and stocks. I wasn’t saving at all, to be honest.” But with the support of his coach in the Credit & Money Management program, Isabelle McLeod, his habits began to change. “Since working with Coach Isabelle,” he said, “I have become more disciplined with how to cut back on unnecessary spending and have gradually developed a positive saving pattern.”

For example, he’s replaced his Dunkin’ Donuts runs with making coffee at home. “I’m saving about $50 per month because I was going to Dunkin almost every day,” he shared with a laugh.

The real surprise came when they reviewed his recurring bills—Dezani discovered he was paying an exorbitant $125 per month for his phone plan. “I didn’t realize how much I was paying for my phone bill until we went through everything,” he said. Isabelle helped him explore competitors and he now pays just $50 a month. This one action is giving him more breathing room in his budget and helps him to supercharge deposits into a high-yield savings account.

That discipline wasn’t just about cutting back on spending—it was about learning the “why” behind key financial decisions. “I now understand that I should not exceed 30% utilization of my credit limit, make payments before the due date, and minimize applying for new credit,” he explained, listing off some of the ways he learned to raise his credit score.

But what Dezani appreciated most was how invested Isabelle was in helping him navigate every financial challenge that came his way. For example, during his final semester at UConn, Dezani had a tuition balance that stood between him and graduation. “I owed a bill balance of $927 to the University,” he shared. “My financial hardship could prevent me from graduating.”

Isabelle encouraged him to explore every option, including ones he hadn’t considered. “I would have never thought to call my councilwoman for assistance with my financial hardship if it weren’t for Isabelle,” he said. That phone call led to results: “I received a one-time ‘UConn Policy Exception Grant’ and my fee bill was paid off.”

Dezani was shocked by the outcome—and deeply grateful. “Oh my gosh, shout out to Isabelle for real,” he said. “I didn’t even think about doing this.”

Isabelle’s support expanded even further. She didn’t just coach him on budgeting and credit; she became, in many ways, a life coach—someone invested in his long-term stability and future opportunities. Knowing he was preparing to graduate and enter the workforce, she went above and beyond to help him strengthen a testimonial from one of his prior jobs so he could enhance his resume. She also coached him on how to search effectively on Indeed and encouraged him to network for roles that would maximize his income potential.

“What I like about Isabelle is that she’s very informative and very action oriented. She doesn’t waste time at all. She lets you know, too—‘Hey, Dezani, it’s on you as well. I’m here to help, but you have to take action and go after what you want,’” he explained.

With discipline, guidance, and the willingness to put in the work, Dezani now has a solid financial foundation—and the confidence to continue building on it.  “I hope to continue growing with Operation HOPE and eventually own a home in a few years,” he said.

For a young man in his early twenties, Dezani isn’t just improving his finances—he’s charting the course for the rest of his life. And thanks to Isabelle’s exceptional coaching, he’s walking into that future equipped and empowered.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post Starting Early, Guided by HOPE: This Graduate Charts a Course for Financial Wellbeing appeared first on Operation HOPE.

But in recent years, his giving spirit was tested by personal hardship. Brian battled multiple chronic medical conditions, which left him bedridden and in constant pain. Alongside physical suffering came depression and weight gain: “I was just existing before, not living,” he said. “I was 50 pounds overweight, stuck in a dark cloud, and had lost vision for my life.”

t was during this time that Brian met Ralph Glover, a Financial Wellbeing Coach with Operation HOPE. What started as a conversation about money quickly became something much deeper. Brian shared, “when I met Ralph, his spirit and energy gave me clarity. He helped me understand the true definition of hope.”

It was during this time that Brian met Ralph Glover, a Financial Wellbeing Coach with Operation HOPE. What started as a conversation about money quickly became something much deeper. Brian shared, “when I met Ralph, his spirit and energy gave me clarity. He helped me understand the true definition of hope.”

When they began working together, Ralph knew Brian’s needs extended beyond numbers on a spreadsheet. “Money is tied to emotions,” Ralph explained. “If someone isn’t well mentally or physically, it’s hard for them to make good financial decisions. So we talked about more than savings—we talked about health, peace, and purpose.”

That shift changed everything. “Ralph has this magical spiritual energy,” Brian said. “It’s uplifting and powerful. He’s genuine, and his belief in me made me believe in myself.”

Together, they created a plan that blended financial and personal goals. They tackled debt, built savings, and worked on daily routines that promoted both fiscal and physical health. Brian explained that one of the things that stuck with him was Ralph’s advice “to be disciplined and to focus on what matters most.”

Over time, with Ralph’s guidance, Brian’s credit score rose by more than 100 points to over 650. His debt that previously had ballooned to over $14,000 was reduced by $6,000, even while living on a fixed income. He has even been able to save an extra $1,500 during this time. “My next goal,” he said, “is to walk down the aisle of my church to tithe. I’m not rushing it—I just want to get back to 80% of my life. Right now, I’m at about 45%, and I’m grateful for that.”

The lessons Brian learned about money transformed other parts of his life, too—most notably his health. “Being overweight costs money,” Ralph said. “You spend more on food, on medical care. When Brian changed his habits, he didn’t just save money—he saved his health.”

Brian agrees. “I became disciplined with my eating habits,” he explained. “I lost 50 pounds. I went from a 3X to a size X. It’s not just about the weight—it’s about getting my life back.”

Brian has also reimagined his relationship with his family. Deeply committed and family-oriented, Brian takes pride in being a source of strength and inspiration in addition to helping loved ones financially. “I care about each soul,” he said. “Even when I’m hurting, I try to be that leader. I thank God I have a spiritual glue that helps me inspire us to keep moving forward.”

For Ralph, watching Brian’s progress has been nothing short of remarkable. “When I first met him, he was bed bound and couldn’t sit up,” he said. “Now he’s sitting, standing and walking. He’s saving money, improving his credit, and inspiring his entire family and community. If he can do it, anybody can.”

Brian hopes his story will encourage others to keep going, even through pain and uncertainty.

“Ralph is a blessing in disguise. If I hadn’t met him, I don’t know where I’d be right now. Operation HOPE gave me back my faith—in life, in myself, and in the future.”

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post Through Operation HOPE, Brian Rebuilt His Life and Regained Faith in Himself appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Operation HOPE Financial Wellbeing Coach Jessica Hamel was able to help alleviate Dee’s concerns while helping her build her financial knowledge. They dedicated a lot of time working on Dee’s budget to increase her savings, which has grown to $5,000.

Additionally, Jessica guided Dee through the steps and education around how to properly use credit cards and what makes up a credit score. She now has a credit card and an installment loan, and her credit has gone from “not scored/0” to 594. She is ganing great momemtum with her progress, consistently taking the advised steps to improve her credit and increase her savings.

Dee now calls Jessica her “financial drill instructor.” Recently, she shared, “In order to be received, you have to be receptive. Operation HOPE received me as I was. Since then, I have grown my financial knowledge and made life progress. I have moved, saved, and increased my credit score. As a war veteran, it has been a long road to reach the consistency I now have with my finances.” 

Dee replaced a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle with one that includes plans to buy her first home, and Jessica is thrilled to walk alongside her on this journey to financial freedom.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post Dee is replacing her paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle with plans to buy her first home appeared first on Operation HOPE.

“The first meeting was tough,” said Danna. “After sharing my complete financial history, I had to do something I’d tried to avoid my entire life—grapple with my spending patterns and the money decisions I’d made over the years.”

This is the first, and often the hardest step for Operation HOPE clients. “So often, clients simply do not know what they need to know to make good financial decisions. For example, most clients have never been shown how to create a budget that includes listing their rainy day and emergency fund contributions as recurring expenses. Once Danna understood that she had to budget savings as a recurring monthly expense, she was able to meet her down payment goal while putting away funds for unplanned expenses,” said Penny.

Once Danna had implemented a plan to reallocate more of her income toward repaying debt, she turned to Operation HOPE again for assistance on building assets that would help ensure her long-term financial security: starting a business and owning a home. Homeownership had always been a priority but the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to switch up her goals. In 2020, she founded her own private practice to help meet the increased need for mental health services for young people in her community. Operation HOPE hosted a number of entrepreneurship workshops that guided Danna—helping her figure out which business tasks she could handle and which ones were better left to an expert.

As home prices went through the roof in the aftermath of the pandemic, Danna could only watch as her dream of owning a home got farther out of her reach. With Penny’s guidance, Danna took that extra time to learn about home ownership, and Operation HOPE referred her to community resources like down payment assistance and mortgage companies so that, when the right place came along in 2022, she was prepared to make an offer. Danna was thrilled when the seller accepted the offer—making her a homeowner!

Three years since her first meeting with Penny, Danna reflects on how far she has come. It started with taking the brave step of confronting her financial history and making a plan to change. While her family didn’t talk about money, let alone entrepreneurship and building wealth, she carries their legacy in ways that are meaningful to her today. For example, her maiden name is featured prominently in her business LLC as a nod to her paternal grandfather. While he made it seem to Danna like he was “just going to a job,” she recently made the connection that he was a full-fledged entrepreneur as the founder and owner of a janitorial service.

Danna believes that without Penny’s help, she’d still be stuck in her old ways. Now she’s on a mission to destigmatize candid financial conversations, taking every opportunity to share the ups and downs of her journey with clients, as well as her own family, so they too can take control of their financial futures. Danna regularly refers them to Operation HOPE. In fact, her oldest daughter worked with Penny while in college and since graduation, she’s getting a head-start on building wealth and developing a plan to pay for medical school.

Things look bright for Danna—she has recently expanded her business and hopes to publish more books to add to the one she wrote during COVID. Danna is building a legacy her family can be proud of.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

The post Raising Your Hand for Financial Guidance is an Act of Bravery appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Up until then, saving seemed out of reach— despite earning a decent income, Portia found herself trapped in a cycle of spending. “I looked at it from a macro-level as opposed to saying there are little things that I can do to reach my goals. I was overwhelmed by the thought of saving $10,000 and so I sank into the pattern of spending money without thinking,” she said.

But Portia’s transformation didn’t begin with budgeting and spreadsheets—it began with belief. Through meditation and prayer, she shifted her mindset. “I stopped saying I was poor. I started saying, ‘I am wealthy.’ I envisioned money in my bank account.”

This mental shift opened the door for practical change, and that’s where Operation HOPE’s Financial Wellbeing Coach Regina Osei entered the picture. Together, Regina and Portia began to confront Portia’s financial struggles. Regina urged her to make debt reduction a priority, including making additional car payments and paying off more than the minimum on credit card bills. “I just wasn’t crunching those numbers. And once I saw those numbers, I realized that something else had to be done,” she said.

Regina also helped Portia stay accountable by challenging her to save. “I put aside money because I knew Regina was going to see me in two weeks and would ask me how much I saved and I didn’t want to be embarrassed by saying I didn’t have it,” said Portia.

With Regina’s support—and a detailed plan—Portia started saving regularly and built both an emergency fund and a savings account. “I would never have had an emergency fund or opened a money market account without her,” she said. But more than the financial tools, it was Regina’s gentle and kind approach to educating Portia that made the biggest difference. “I was in tears at the start. I told her, ‘I don’t know what to do. I’m lost.’ And she prayed with me before our sessions.”

The results were life-changing. By the time Portia moved on from the program, she had increased her credit score by over 100 points and has now saved $10,000—money she plans to use toward purchasing her first home. “My goal is to become a homeowner,” she said with pride. Dining out and other non-essential expenses have taken a back seat: “it was just too much money being spent there.”

Encouraged by her progress, Portia has taken another step—she connected with a fee-based financial advisor. “Now that I’ve built the foundation, I’m ready to start investing and make my money work for me,” she said.

Her advice to others? “In America, so many people—especially people of color—are not encouraged to do the right thing financially. Take advantage of what John Hope Bryant and Operation HOPE are offering. These resources are here for you.”

Portia continues to have deep gratitude for a program that she says is rooted in education and accountability: “My life has done a complete 360. I want to thank John Hope Bryant and Regina for changing my financial outlook and putting me on the right path.”

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

The post A Mindset Shift Helped This Professional Build Her Financial Future appeared first on Operation HOPE.