Their first real conversation about money happened not at home, but in their first meeting with their Operation HOPE Homeownership Coach, Kimberly Pickett. Romae explained, “That meeting was the first time he and I aired out all of our finances. It terrified me because I had this debt and I didn’t know what his finances were like and what his relationship with money was like.”

Sitting with Kimberly made the process feel safe, structured, and judgment-free—exactly what they needed to begin building a financial foundation together. “I never liked talking about money before,” Romae said. “It just made me uncomfortable … a little embarrassed. I’d been by myself, so everything fell on my shoulders before he came into the picture.”

As they reviewed their financial landscape for the first time, it became clear they were coming into the process with different needs. Romae carried debt that was weighing heavily on her ability to save, and her fiancé’s main goal was to improve his credit score. The comfort and trust they felt with Kimberly made it possible for them to have open conversations they had avoided in the past.

“Having a mediator made it a lot more comfortable for both of us,” explained Romae. “When it came time for that meeting, I told him, ‘I have some debt.’ I didn’t disclose how much, but I felt like there was no judgment from her, so I was a lot more relaxed. And [the same thing happened] when we talked about his credit score—it just helped both of us not judge the other person.” Once they felt safe discussing their finances openly, they were ready to tackle the financial changes that would have the biggest impact.

For example, Romae raised the idea of consolidating her credit card debt into one loan, and Kimberly helped her look for the best options by cautioning her to read the fine print. “Kimberly told me to make sure that I was looking at the interest rate and payment terms, and that you’re not agreeing to something that will put you further back,” said Romae.

This strategy lowered her payments by $400 per month and, as that debt came down, something equally meaningful happened: it opened the door for her fiancé’s credit to rise, too. Because her credit profile was now stronger, she was able to add him to her credit cards and give him the chance to improve his score. What began as a solution for her debt became a shared win by lifting their respective credit scores by more than 60 points apiece.

Romae said Kimberly’s patience and flexibility also made a huge difference—especially since “our toddler was at every meeting,” she said, laughing. She appreciated Kimberly’s willingness to walk through different scenarios and be completely honest about how each one would affect their goal of buying a home. “I asked Kimberly, ‘What happens if I decide to quit my job and be a stay-at-home mom?’” she recalled. “And she was honest, telling me our financing options would change significantly because we’d be working with just my fiancé’s income.”

By the time they reached closing day on their new home, their finances were organized, their credit scores had improved, and they had a clear, shared understanding of how to manage their household money. Buying their first home together was a milestone that meant far more than simply receiving keys. “We hosted our family for Thanksgiving with about 50 people, and I loved every minute of it,” Romae said. Creating space for memories was one of the reasons they wanted a home in the first place.

Now that they’ve achieved one of the biggest milestones of their lives—closing on their first home—they’re excited to turn their attention to what comes next. As Romae put it, “Now that we’ve finally been able to close and move in and get settled, we can focus on our wedding and entrepreneurial ventures we’re interested in exploring.”

With a solid foundation beneath them, they’re stepping into the next chapter with confidence, clarity, and hope.

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

The post From Hard Talks to Homeownership: How HOPE Guided a Young Family appeared first on Operation HOPE.

As a Homeownership Coach, I’ve had the privilege of helping countless clients navigate their journey to financial empowerment — but every once in a while, someone like Flo walks through the door and reminds you exactly why this work matters. 

Flo is originally from Guatemala, a devoted mother who cares full time for her two disabled children through In-Home Support Services (IHSS). On paper, Flo faced quite a few challenges in applying for a mortgage loan. She doesn’t speak English, isn’t comfortable with computers, and her income is non-taxable — which means no W2 documentation to support proof of income. 

But what she did have was a golden opportunity: her landlord of 16 years offered to sell her the house she’d been renting — no listings, no bidding wars, no competition. Just one chance to finally own the place she and her children had called home for over a decade. She came into the bank that day not to apply, but simply to ask what it would take — that was her first brave step. 

On that day, I met a mother who never gave up, a woman with a deep commitment to her family, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build generational wealth. 

So we rolled up our sleeves. 

We worked together, step-by-step. I helped her write multiple letters of explanation in English and worked with the underwriter to document her IHSS income. I printed and scanned documents, helped her respond to emails, and coordinated with her real estate agent and other parties involved. I also identified relevant programs that assist homeowners, and we were both excited when she qualified for two Bank of America down payment assistance grants. After two and a half months of persistence, patience, and partnership, Flo closed on her home. 

She bought it for $340,000 — and it appraised at $460,000. That’s $120,000 of instant equity.  

Flo now owns the home she lived in for more than a decade. Her children get to stay in the neighborhood they know. And she made one of the most powerful financial moves of her life — against all odds. 

This is what empowerment looks like. It’s not about having a perfect file or knowing all the right answers — it’s about having the courage to ask the first question. Flo’s story reminds us that homeownership is possible, no matter where you start. 

Learn more about Operation HOPE’s Hispanic Initiatives here.  

Follow the HOPE conversation on X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.   

The post Flo’s Journey: From Uncertainty to Homeownership  appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Leanne B. was ready to be a homeowner. Down-payment in hand, she approached the mortgage officer at her local Cadence Bank in Winchester, Tennessee, ready to secure a mortgage.

“The mortgage officer pulled my credit and she immediately said, ‘I got to help you out,’” Leanne recounted. Leanne was initially taken aback because she thought that getting a loan would be straightforward. Today, she looks back at that conversation — and the introduction to Operation HOPE — and realizes that it was a life-changing moment for her.

Leanne’s new Financial Wellbeing Coach, Lester Watt, encouraged her to participate in the organization’s Credit and Money Management and Homeownership programs, where he worked with her to put this newfound knowledge into practice. Together, they completed a worksheet that detailed her income and expenses in order to create a budget. At the same time, they sought to eliminate her debt in a way that felt manageable. For Leanne, that was paying off the credit cards with the lowest balance first, and then working her way up to tackling debt on the higher balance cards.

“Each time I got new information from Lester, he’d tell me, ‘So the next time we meet up, you need to have XYZ done,’ and that’s what I did. Every time we met, everything he asked me to do, I did it,” she said. Lo and behold, Leanne saw her credit score rise by 121 points over 13 months. “When I say tremendous …it was tremendous,” she said.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words
At a time when purchasing a home is a stretch for most families, Leanne had confidence that she was on the right track to do so after Lester shared how he was able to personally achieve his financial goals.

“There’s a commercial and the slogan is ‘We actually live here.’ And that’s pretty much Operation HOPE. We’re actually living this way. Lester was transparent when he said, ‘On Sunday it’s Mother’s Day so I’ll take my mom out, but Monday through Thursday, I’m taking my lunch from home.’”

While making home-cooked meals was discussed as a money-saving tool, it spurred conversations with Lester about what this one act could mean for living a life of meaning.

“Slowing down and creating an atmosphere that makes you value home-cooked meals—it plays so much a part in daily living. It changed my life and my children’s too,” said Leanne.

Soon, she was looking at all aspects of her finances and deciding whether her purchases brought her joy or whether she was just buying things out of habit. “Is this something that I need now or this is something that I can do without?” was a question she found herself asking.

This wise approach to spending and managing debt gave Leanne a deep sense of contentment.
“When your credit is good, you live better. You’re not as stressed and it relieves all these things to where you have a stability feeling,” she said.

While her income hasn’t changed, her mindset has, which has given her life purpose.
“When you are financially stable, you have a greater appreciation for what you have. Look, I have a roof over my head, the lights are on, most of my needs are met so I like to see who I can take out to dinner. I may see someone who needs gas money or something and I’m in a position where I can do it,” she said.

In the summer of 2024, about 14 months since her first meeting with Lester, Leanne joyfully achieved her goal of homeownership. True to form, Lester continues to coach Leanne even though she has graduated from the Operation HOPE programs.
“After closing on my new home, I did a review with Lester and he told me not to go and buy furniture for every room straight away,” she laughed.

The post Coach “Walks the Talk” on Finances to Inspire This Homeowner appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Operation HOPE is often the first place people experiencing a financial emergency will turn to for help. As a result, it’s not uncommon for Operation HOPE coaches to encounter individuals who have suddenly found themselves in a dire and desperate position they never imagined they’d be in. That was the case for Tampa-based Operation HOPE financial coach Esther Fife when she first started working with Nicole.

At the time, Nicole had recently separated from her fiancé, who had been primarily responsible for managing the family’s finances. The split revealed that those finances were not nearly as healthy as Nicole had been led to believe. In fact, after the separation, Nicole discovered that she only had $200 to her name and her credit score had sunk to a dismal 520.

“I’d made a mistake by taking a hands-off approach and leaving it to my fiancé to manage our money,” said Nicole. “Despite a college education and a previous job in the financial industry, my financial knowledge was lacking. For example, I was never taught that credit scores could make or break your financial goals.”

Nicole’s immediate need was to qualify for a mortgage so that she and her two small children would have a place to call home. Operation HOPE’s first-time homeownership and credit counseling programs gave Nicole the information she needed to take steps toward her goal, and she credits Esther, the convener of the programs, with bringing it “home” for her.

“Going through a separation and realizing my finances were in dire straits meant that my feelings were very raw when I first met Esther,” said Nicole. “I was struck by her compassion and her ability to set my mind at ease and reassure me that I could get through this.”

Esther took a systematic approach to helping Nicole repair her credit. Line by line, they looked through Nicole’s credit reports for inaccuracies and found one in a student loan that was itemized twice. Esther also urged Nicole to apply for a secured credit card that would help build her credit history, and to pay down her debts by their due date. Since Nicole started working with Esther in 2017, she now can boast a credit score that has been as high as 810.

“Now, having gone through this experience, I’m still shocked that the Operation HOPE programs and Esther’s guidance were at no cost to me,” said Nicole. “It was truly a lifeline at an incredibly difficult time and I hope other people know that Operation HOPE can be there for them also.”

“Starting off as a coach with HOPE in 2015, my experience working with Nicole and other clients in Tampa gave me the great opportunity to uplift and improve the quality of their lives. I am blessed to play just a small part in the success they have experienced due to the programs offered at HOPE,” said Esther, who now serves as a project leader for the organization.

As for Nicole’s ultimate financial goal, she’s now the proud owner of not just one, but two houses, and intends to keep adding to her real estate portfolio. She’s also a business owner, and contracts with moms, who, like her, are busy juggling family and professional priorities. Nicole values the idea that she’s playing a part in helping them build their financial future.

The post Operation HOPE Brings the Importance of Credit “Home” For This Client appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Operation HOPE coaches are often seen as superheroes. Time and time again, they go above and beyond by looking for creative ways to help our clients meet their financial goals. Case in point: Columbus, GA-based Operation HOPE financial coach, Mike Lainez.

When former high school teacher, Felecia E., was first referred to Mike through a friend she was in a desperate situation. The long-term subsidized housing renter needed a new place to live but she couldn’t just lease any eligible apartment—Felecia needed a space that could accommodate her motorized wheelchair.

“I called and called apartment buildings and nobody was accepting Section 8 housing vouchers post-pandemic,” she said.

Enter Mike, who encouraged Felecia to dream big and consider homeownership, which was something that she didn’t think was in the cards for her. He discovered that NeighborWorks Columbus, an affordable housing nonprofit, was breaking ground on new homes in the community and encouraged Felecia to submit an application.

Together, they set about improving Felecia’s credit score—she’d need a score in the mid-700s to qualify for a mortgage loan on a NeighborWorks home, and hers was stuck in the 500s.

First up, they analyzed Felecia’s credit reports from all three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. They discovered several medical bill collections that were not hers due to identity theft. They formally disputed the charges with the agencies, which resulted in their removal.

Next up, Mike encouraged Felecia to apply for a credit card so she could build up her credit history by paying the card in full and on time. In a little over a year, Felecia had bolstered her score by 150 points and was thrilled when she was approved for a mortgage loan on a custom-built home in Fall 2022!

The home closing in May 2023 was a joyous event. “I’ve never had a custom-made suit, and now I have a custom-built home!” exclaimed Felecia.

Of course, her “little brother” Mike attended the closing. “Without Mike and Operation HOPE this would not have happened. We’re family,” says Felecia about her Operation HOPE coach. [Felecia was featured in this story on the local CBS News channel in Columbus about her experience].

“Despite her physical limitations and past struggles with substance abuse, you’ll never meet anybody who lights up a room like Felecia. She has so much positive energy that it’s contagious. It’s a distinct privilege in my role at Operation HOPE to help long-term renters like Felecia become homeowners,” said Mike.

Comfortably settled in her new three-bedroom, two-bath custom-built home, Felecia is able to work from home and spread her own style of “HOPE.” She works for the Georgia Crisis Line, where she helps others dealing with suicide, gambling addiction and substance abuse, among other challenges.

With a strong financial foundation, she’s now looking to purchase an accessible van – and is working with Mike to make sure the payments will fit in her budget.

“The future is so bright, I need sunglasses,” laughed Felecia.

The post “We are Family” – HOPE Coaches Create Unbreakable Bonds appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Working at a bank and handling mortgage loan applications daily, Operation HOPE client Briana L. was no stranger to the homebuying process. She had guided countless clients through the complex maze of paperwork, credit checks, and underwriting. Yet, when it came time for her to buy her own first home, she quickly realized that being on the other side of the desk was an entirely different experience.

Briana shared her sentiments with longtime friend, Lauren. “I thought that I couldn’t do this—especially with how the economy was going,” said Briana.

Lauren, in turn, introduced her to her mom, Sandy Clark, a Financial Wellbeing Coach for Operation HOPE and a financial industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience.

From the beginning, Sandy gave Briana the motivation to keep moving forward. In addition to being a knowledgeable coach, she was Briana’s biggest cheerleader.

“Sandy made the process so much easier for me—she was patient and was there for any type of questions or support I needed. She really just helped me the whole way,” said Briana.

As a homeowner herself, Sandy could speak from experience about the complexities of the mortgage loan process and reassured Briana that there were plenty of options to assist in buying a house. For example, as a first-time home buyer, Briana had several different government loan programs to choose from.

One of the biggest hurdles Briana faced was planning for the down payment. She didn’t want to rely on family or outside help, so Sandy helped her explore other options, including weighing the pros and cons of tapping into her 401(k) for the payment.

“I’d rather pay myself back than borrow from someone else,” Briana concluded.

Transitioning from renting to owning has brought Briana a lot of joy. For example, she is thrilled that her large dog now has a backyard to roam around in. But it also brought new responsibilities—she learned the importance of budgeting for home-related expenses like real estate taxes, property insurance, and unexpected repairs such as damage sustained to her fence after a hurricane.

Briana emphasizes how Operation HOPE’s support didn’t end at closing.

“It doesn’t stop here. If I’m ever there needing any questions answered, I know I can always get to Sandy and she’ll help me,” she said.

Their ongoing relationship has made Sandy not only a coach but a trusted advisor—a role many Operation HOPE coaches proudly embrace. Sandy’s motto is “success happens when opportunity and preparedness meet.”

Today, Briana is excited about what’s next. She’s thinking about home upgrades and taking inspiration from new builds in her area. Her community continues to grow, with new amenities being added regularly.

“It’s a really good location—and it’s close to my family too,” she said.

The post From Expert to Client: This Banker Shows How Anyone can Benefit from a Coach appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Getting your foot on the property ladder is almost always a stretch financially for first-time home buyers, but the experience of Nancy A and her partner, George T in Huntington Park, CA, shows that it’s possible, even on a limited income. While interest rate hikes have put a damper on home buying activity in the short-term, now is a good time to build up your savings and get familiar with the process so you can be ready to put in an offer on a home when the right time comes. Here are a few key steps Nancy and George took so they could start building generational wealth through real
estate.

Be flexible – and realistic – on location and timing. Nancy and George concentrated their home search in Los Angeles, but just couldn’t make the numbers add up based on their income. A serendipitous meeting with a realtor at an Open House opened them up to the possibilities of Huntington Park, a city nearby, with many more houses for sale that fit their budget. It also helped that they weren’t in a rush and could take the time to explore the market.

“Know what you don’t know” when it comes to the home buying process. FHA vs. conventional loans. First time homebuyer loans and grants. APR. There’s a lot of jargon to decipher and that’s why it’s essential to have an expert by your side. On that front, Nancy and George leaned on the experience and knowledge of Operation HOPE Financial Wellbeing Coach, Emily Grajeda. Emily guided the couple through Operation HOPE’s homeownership education sessions so they could learn all about the loans and grants available to first time home buyers. Through Operation HOPE, Nancy and George were then connected to a loan officer at Boston Private (now Silicon Valley Bank), who helped them secure a mortgage on terms they could afford. The loan officer and Emily also urged the couple to apply for the WISH Grant. They were pleasantly surprised to receive down payment assistance through this program, which is available to low- to moderate-income earners.

It’s never too early to start saving for your down payment. Nancy encourages others to reach for the goal of homeownership, but cautions that it takes sacrifice. “While there’s a lot of
assistance for first time home buyers, you do need to do your part and commit to saving for a down payment and other closing expenses.” For the couple, that meant forgoing vacations and
limiting restaurant visits for three years as they saved for a house deposit. “At first we didn’t think it would be feasible to buy the home but with the assistance we received through
Operation HOPE and the resources our loan officer connected us with, we were able to actually get the home with the funds we had saved.”

Homeownership aids financial stability now—and wealth generation over the long run. Nancy is grateful for the financial stability that homeownership brings. “It’s a relief that I know exactly what my housing costs will be so I have the wiggle room to take on other loans and still maintain a reasonable debt to income ratio,” she said. Nancy is also optimistic that real estate can help her build wealth for the future; the couple is exploring options to build a small housing unit on the back of the property and eventually keep their first home as a rent-producing investment property when they’re ready to upgrade to a larger home.

“Be fully committed to taking the time to learn about the homeownership process, which is made easier with Operation HOPE by your side,” she said.

The post For California Couple, Real Estate is a Way to Build Wealth appeared first on Operation HOPE.

From their very first conversation, Lester reassured Ms. Brown that homeownership was possible. He immediately set up a financial plan tailored to her needs, guiding her through budgeting, credit-building strategies, and financial literacy. With a structured roadmap in place, she followed his advice to the letter, making adjustments to her spending habits and focusing on building her credit.

Over the course of just six months, Ms. Brown’s credit score increased by more than 140 points. She gained not only financial confidence but also a completely new outlook on managing money. With her improved credit standing, she was able to move forward with her home purchase—an accomplishment she once thought was out of reach.

The impact of Operation HOPE’s coaching didn’t stop with her. Inspired by her journey, Ms. Brown’s mother also worked with Lester Watt and saw her credit score rise by 60 points in just three months. Their collective progress led to an incredible milestone—both mother and daughter successfully closed on their new home in July 2024.

Through the financial literacy she gained, Ms. Brown has transformed her approach to money management. She no longer lives paycheck to paycheck, prioritizes saving, and is instilling these lessons in her children and grandchildren, ensuring a legacy of financial empowerment for generations to come.

“Words cannot express how grateful I am for Mr. Watt and Operation HOPE,” Ms. Brown shared. “This journey has truly changed my life, and I now have the knowledge and confidence to build a secure financial future for myself and my family.”

Her story is a powerful testament to the transformational impact of financial coaching—proving that with the right support and dedication, homeownership and financial stability are possible.

The post Keys to a New Beginning: The Power of Financial Literacy and HOPE appeared first on Operation HOPE.

How do you purchase a home in one of the country’s most expensive real estate markets? 

That was the conundrum for Juliette, who moved to San Diego, California, from Tallahassee, Florida, in 2022. Amazingly, Juliette was able to purchase her condo only two and a half months after arriving on San Diego soil. How did she do it? Juliette’s journey began 25 years ago, when she first encountered our CEO and founder, John Hope Bryant. At an alumni event for the Center for Religion and Civic Culture University of Southern California, she heard Mr. Bryant advocate for financial literacy education and the power of goal-setting. As she prepared to make a cross-country move in the next two to three years, his words came rushing back. She set an ambitious financial goal—save $20,000 for a down payment so she could purchase a home.

As a part-time real estate broker, Juliette understood that coming up with a down payment was only one aspect of a larger process to owning a home. She knew that a borrower’s credit score has a significant impact on the type of mortgage they can qualify for, so she sought help from Operation HOPE financial coach Melissa Carron to help her navigate the homeownership process before making the move to San Diego. First, they went through Juliette’s credit report line-by-line and agreed that paying off credit cards and other debts would accelerate her credit score. Next, they analyzed Juliette’s spending habits, created a budget to reduce expenses, and started allocating more of Juliette’s income to savings. Juliette was amazed to learn how much she could save by giving up her Starbucks run and regular mani-pedis—to the tune of $10,800 over two years.

When she had extracted all the savings she could from her expenses, she turned to the other side of the ledger—her income. Juliette worked four part-time jobs to supplement her teaching salary, including at Walmart, where she worked hard to achieve three promotions and a bonus during her two-and-a-half-year tenure there. She made sacrifices, including working 12–16-hour days, because she had a singular goal—to purchase a home. “Mr. Bryant’s perspective on goal setting had a major impact on my life,” said Juliette. “I firmly

believe that if you follow his recipe for success and are prepared to work, you can be self-made.”

In addition to participating in Operation HOPE’s Credit & Money Management program, Juliette learned she was eligible for help with her down payment as a first-time home buyer and educator by taking our Homeownership program. “Melissa kept me accountable to my goal. With her gentle and kind personality, she laid out very clearly what I needed to save to purchase a home and then checked in with me regularly to make sure that I was on track,” said Juliette. “Even when she was preparing to go on vacation, I got a call from her asking if I needed anything before I closed on my home.”

After a lot of hard work on both sides of the ledger, Juliette paid the down payment, paid off her credit cards and car payment in full, and achieved an outstanding 800 FICO credit score. This financial discipline enabled her to obtain favorable mortgage terms on a new home in San Diego! She continues to set new financial goals and is chipping away at them based on the principles she learned from Mr. Bryant and Melissa. Juliette encourages others to set ambitious goals, be prepared to make sacrifices to meet them, and enlist the help of experts like Operation HOPE for guidance on how to get there.

The post Driven by Ambitious Goals and Sacrifice, Homeowner Settles and Succeeds in San Diego appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Henry Pinto, an immigrant from Venezuela, came to the United States with a dream of building a better life for his family. After settling in Lafayette, Louisiana, he encountered significant challenges navigating the American financial system. Cultural differences and limited financial education made homeownership—his ultimate goal—seem like a distant dream.

Everything changed when a friend introduced Mr. Pinto to a Spanish Homeownership Workshop hosted by Lafayette Consolidated Government in partnership with Operation HOPE. The workshop not only provided valuable insights but also inspired him to enroll in Operation HOPE’s Credit and Money Management Program. It was there that he met his Financial Wellbeing Coach, Nanette Farmer, who became an instrumental part of his journey.

With Nanette’s guidance, Mr. Pinto worked through a personalized plan to improve his financial health. Over time, his credit score increased from 631 to 716, he saved over $7,200, and he successfully managed his debt-to-income ratio. These achievements paved the way for him to qualify for and close on a mortgage, a goal he reached on November 19, 2024.

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Pinto said, “Without the workshop and the Operation HOPE team, I would not be where I am today.”

Grateful for the support and coaching he received, Mr. Pinto has since become a passionate advocate for Operation HOPE, encouraging others to take advantage of the resources and education available. His story stands as a powerful testament to how accessible financial guidance and determination can transform lives, helping individuals achieve stability and lifelong dreams.

The post Henry’s Homeownership Dreams Become a Reality appeared first on Operation HOPE.