At a recent event a panel of six alumni shared personal stories about how the Money Coach program continues to shape their financial lives. Each alum brought a unique perspective, reflecting on why they joined, the lessons that stuck with them, and the impact those lessons have had over time.
For Hawa, joining Money Coach was all about making her first job count. As a high schooler balancing her internship at Teens Grow Greens, she was excited but knew she needed guidance. “I thought, OK, I got a job, I can do anything I want,” she smiled. “Money Coach taught us that we can’t just spend our paychecks on anything. We need to know what to do with our money and how to prioritize.”
Amanda, who took part in the program in 2018, shared a different reason for joining—an early warning. “I joined out of fear to be honest. Steph Crosley, the Money Coach program manager at the time, walked in and talked about her experience with college debt and credit cards,” she recalled. “That scared me into joining Money Coach. I didn’t want that to happen to me.”
For others, joining Money Coach meant finally getting answers to money questions that hadn’t been discussed at home. “Money Coach helped me open my first bank account,” said Hawa. “I grew up in a household where we didn’t talk about money and where my parents didn’t know anything about banking.” Claudia shared her commitment to starting a Roth IRA, inspired by Money Coach conversations on saving for the long-term, that she wasn’t having at home. “I’m 18, and I want to build a better future for myself,” she said. “I learned about Roth IRAs and I went home and talked to my mom about opening one.”
Each of the alumni shared one clear takeaway—Money Coach didn’t just teach them about money; it taught them how to handle money. Lemietric, who already had a job and a bank account when he joined, saw the program as a way to go even deeper. “Money Coach helped me learn more about credit, about taking my financial knowledge further,” he explained. For Quavon, the skills he gained allowed him to manage income from an internship without splurging it all at once and to share what he learned with others. “Money Coach was what helped me set goals and actually stick to them,” he said. “I shared those concepts with my peers, and I found it empowering to give advice to other people.”
The support they received went beyond the program’s end. Mentorship played a big role, especially for Lemietric, who still meets with his Money Coach mentor today, six years removed from the program. “We see each other often, grab breakfast, and he’s there to help with business advice,” Lemietric said, explaining how the mentorship continues to shape his decisions. “My mentor inspired me to build a vision for financial independence.”
As they look to the future, their goals reflect the lasting impact of Money Coach. “I’m walking proof that this program works,” said Amanda. “I went through the program, I graduated from the program, I’m still a part of the program as an Alumni, and I’m still using the resources and skills they provided me with to this day.” And for Quavon, the goal is to build generational wealth. “Money Coach has been a positive influence on me and I’m going to take these skills with me for the rest of my life. Not only to keep myself financially afloat, but to build something for following generations.”
As the alumni panel wrapped up, Jasmine’s words resonated: “I will use the knowledge Money Coach taught me throughout college and beyond. It’s given me the foundation I need.”
These alumni stories are a powerful testament to Money Coach’s impact. Not just as a financial mentoring program, but as a guide to lifelong financial independence. We’re currently recruiting Money Coach volunteers for spring. If you want to be a part of this transformational program, please complete the volunteer application or reach out to Stephaine Crosley at stephaine@securefutures.org for more information.
