At the time, Bryan was paying $798 a month on a car loan with a shocking 29% interest rate—a situation he had entered when he first bought his car without any established credit. He didn’t understand why he kept getting declined when trying to refinance, and he wanted answers.

That’s when his journey with Financial Wellbeing Coach Ana Andueza began. Through patient and consistent sessions, they explored the fundamentals of credit building, car value, interest rates, and the loan approval process. Bryan asked insightful questions, took notes, and began applying the tools they discussed.

By March 2024, just a few months later, Bryan was more informed, more confident, and had a stronger credit file. He applied for refinancing again and, this time, he was approved, lowering his monthly payments by $300.

“I still remember the joy in his voice when he called me on the way to the bank to finalize the paperwork,” said Ana. “He couldn’t believe it was really happening.”

But Bryan didn’t stop there. They reviewed his auto insurance and found a local provider that saved him an additional $60 per month. They also evaluated his spending habits and set goals around savings. He now has $3,600 saved, a steady increase from the $2,800 he had when he started.

What makes Bryan’s story so special is that he never gave up—he stayed curious, open to learning, and committed to improving his future.

Here’s what he shared with Ana in his own words:

“Hola, buenas noches. Yo me encontraba en una situación muy difícil pagando un préstamo de un auto con altos intereses y pagos mensuales muy altos. Pero gracias a usted, me ayudó a conseguir otras puertas para poder refinanciar mi auto con niveles de intereses y pagos mensuales más bajos. Valoro su tiempo y su dedicación por enseñarme paso a paso el proceso que debía hacer. Me explicó con mucha paciencia para poder entender mejor. No tuvo problema de explicarlo 2 a 3 veces para poder hacer el proceso de la manera correcta. Sinceramente le agradezco por ayudarme y, por supuesto, que recomendaría a otras personas sus servicios que quizás estén pasando por lo mismo. ¡Dios la bendiga!”

“Good evening. I was in a very difficult situation, paying a car loan with high interest and very high monthly payments. But thanks to you, you helped me find new options to refinance my car with much lower interest and monthly payments. I value your time and dedication in teaching me step by step the process I needed to follow. You explained everything with so much patience so I could truly understand—and you had no problem explaining things two or three times to make sure I did it right. I sincerely thank you for helping me, and of course, I would recommend your services to anyone going through the same thing. God bless you!”

Bryan’s journey is a true example of how financial coaching creates transformation. He’s now financially empowered, saving money monthly, and building a future with intention. And he knows he doesn’t have to do it alone.

Learn more about Operation HOPE’s Hispanic Initiatives here. Follow the HOPE conversation on X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post Bryan’s Journey from Financial Stress to Empowered Decision-Making 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.

When Jamie Rae Wright heard John Hope Bryant speak at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ International Leadership Conference, she had no idea that moment would become the catalyst for transforming her vision into a multimillion-dollar reality that would change countless lives.

As a domestic violence survivor who had experienced homelessness herself, Jamie understood the desperate need for safe, affordable housing for survivors and their children. In 2020, she founded Jamie R. Wright, LLC with a mission to provide survivor-led awareness, empowerment, and advocacy to underrepresented and historically marginalized communities impacted by domestic violence.

“My dream of building housing for domestic violence survivors stemmed from watching HGTV’s feature of my story of overcoming homelessness on their syndicated TV show House Hunters,” Jamie reflected. After purchasing her own home in Houston, Texas, in 2022, she became “unapologetically passionate” about helping other survivors secure housing as well.

But turning vision into reality required more than passion. It required capital, strategy, and guidance. That’s where Operation HOPE made all the difference.

The Power of Coaching and Community

Jamie’s Operation HOPE Coach, Pamela Sanford, became more than an advisor. She became a strategic partner who refused to let Jamie “play small.” Meeting at least once a week for months, Coach Pamela challenged Jamie with pointed questions: “What goal(s) are you trying to achieve in doing that? How would you sustain this or that? Did you think about this or that?”

“It was Coach Pamela’s guidance that I followed to begin searching for grant funding,” Jamie explained. “Coach Pamela challenged me, encouraged me, provided resources, and would not allow me to play small.”

Through Coach Pamela’s patient, stern, caring, and business-minded approach, Jamie developed the strategies and persistence needed to navigate rejection and pursue her ambitious goals.

Transformational Results

The impact of Jamie’s Operation HOPE experience speaks for itself:

– $4.1 million grant from the State of Oklahoma to build 13 homes for domestic violence survivors

– Additional $250,000 grant to provide financial literacy, homebuying coaching, and other key supportive services for survivors and their children

– A sustainable model that addresses not just housing, but the holistic needs of families rebuilding their lives

“I absolutely could not have achieved the $4.1 million grant and an additional $250,000 grant without Coach Pamela and Operation HOPE,” Jamie stated emphatically.

A Ripple Effect of Hope

Jamie’s success represents so much more than impressive funding figures. It is about breaking cycles and creating pathways to stability for some of society’s most vulnerable families. Each home will provide safety and security for survivors and their children, while the supportive services will equip them with the financial literacy and life skills needed for long-term success. This is a dream come true for Jamie.

“Despite facing numerous rejections, I persevered and was able to secure funding to build my first set of homes for survivors and their children fleeing domestic violence. My HOPE experience is directly responsible for the funding we were awarded.”

The Gratitude Factor

In Jamie’s eyes, the keystone to her journey is her coach: “If it wasn’t for Coach Pamela’s guidance, empowerment, genuine heart to see me win, and the encouragement she gave, helping me to overcome the obstacles and ‘no’s’ I had faced and the strategies she helped me create, the homes we are currently building would not have come to fruition.

Please, Coach Pamela, keep doing what you do—how only you can do it—and for whom you do it. I’m grateful to the Creator of the entire universe for you!”

To learn more about the HOPE Inside Disaster Program and other resources: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post Jamie’s Story of HOPE: From Survivor to Solution Builder appeared first on Operation HOPE.

However, I realized I needed to focus more on the disaster relief part of what I love to do and build that into my business.

Now, in addition to dog training and behavior consulting, I do animal search and rescue, so I’m out there in the front line. I’ve been able to help in three disasters in the past year.

This whole other part of me has developed. I’ve made so many connections, not just here but around the country, and I’m partnering with different nonprofits to be able to go into disaster zones and help, whether boots on the ground or remotely.

This is my calling—the disaster relief part is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever experienced in my life.”

To learn more about the HOPE Inside Disaster Program and other resources: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post Surviving Disaster Led to a New “Calling” for Jaime’s Business appeared first on Operation HOPE.

“I want people to know that Operation HOPE is a literal godsend, and I’m not being metaphorical here,” said Alisha Das after working with an Operation HOPE Disaster Recovery Coach for five months. “I truly think it is divinely ordained. It absolutely lives up to its name. I want people to know that there is support that has no agenda, but to help.”

In the Palisades Fire, one of a series that burned through Southern California in January and the most destructive to ever occur in the City of Los Angeles, Alisha found that her home was still standing but inhabitable.  Her house had severe smoke damage and was found to contain high levels of lead, asbestos, and other hazardous materials. Due to a previous life-threatening exposure, she has a medically-documented sensitivity to lead, making remediation—the process of making the property safe and habitable again—both urgent and highly sensitive.

Alisha shared, “my original goal was to get back in my home and do so in a way that did not financially break my family. The hardships I faced were, of course, losing my city of Pacific Palisades and being displaced from my home and moving to six different locations in five months. Also, I felt completely overwhelmed by the insurance and FEMA process.”

Once Alisha met Coach Andrew Avina at the Palisades Muli-Agency Resource Center, she realized she was no longer alone on this path. Andrew explained, “disaster disrupts more than just physical possessions; it unsettles the financial stability and systems people depend on. My mission is to help survivors regain control and confidence, transforming uncertainty into actionable steps toward a stronger, more resilient future.”

Together, they evaluated each stage of Alisha’ recovery process. “From the beginning, her recovery was challenged by a stalled insurance process and lack of responsiveness from her adjuster, which later disrupted her FEMA case,” Andrew said. “Many available resources, including rental assistance and case management, were not accessible to her due to location eligibility.”

After unsuccessfully working through the insurance claims with a public adjuster and later with a law firm, they chose a different strategy. They determined that self-advocacy was the best course, and with Andrew’s continued support, Alisha successfully negotiated the release of remediation funds.

From there, they jointly vetted several remediation contractors, reviewing associated costs per service description and confirming whether the scope of work reflected heavy remediation, rather than just “light” or superficial services. They ensured contractors understood her unique health considerations and carried sufficient overhead to mitigate any potential damages during the work.

Their detailed comparisons paid off—literally. Alisha saved over $120,000 with the contractor they selected together, compared to the others that inflated costs. “I define success in this story of feeling incredibly supported and moving things forward that would’ve been almost impossible by myself, like FEMA applications and deadlines, remediation experts, and learning about resources,” she shared.

“The insight I have received is that truly we are not alone if we have Operation HOPE. I have referred them to so many friends and neighbors. People think that only a certain demographic needs help, and that is not true. People are people and Operation HOPE treats all of us equally. It’s a beautiful inspiration and reflection for the world.”

Alisha is a highly respected spiritual leader and humanitarian, with an international nonprofit working in the Congo, Ghana, and other African countries to implement solar power and clean water systems for underserved communities. Therefore, once Alisha completed this milestone to returning home, Andrew connected her with his colleague, Small Business Coach Christopher Santiago, for business recovery support.

Reflecting on her experience, Alisha shared, “this has changed my mindset towards finance and helped me see that I really can survive and even thrive as a single mother after the fires. My life is different now in that I feel that much of the trauma from the fires has abated. I feel more sovereign and that I have more agency over my business, and most of all, I feel supported.”

With hope and a path forward, Alisha is “looking forward to one day living back in the Palisades in a way that is healthy and triumphant.”

To learn more about the HOPE Inside Disaster Program and other resources: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

The post In The City of Angels, Alisha Finds a ‘Divinely Ordained’ Path to Rebuild appeared first on Operation HOPE.

“My business is at a tipping point,” said Tafari. “Up until now I’ve been able to use grants to fulfill demand, but to grow my business, I need to explore outside funding options.”

What sounds like a simple problem to solve ended up being anything but. Tafari couldn’t get a straight answer from traditional sources and local organizations about how to raise money without unintentionally diluting her equity. Frustrated, she turned to Google to find organizations that could help small businesses. That’s how she stumbled upon Operation HOPE.

“I knew I had found the right place when I read John Hope Bryant’s thoughts on being mission-driven, and using your gifts to build wealth for the next generation,” said Tafari. “That resonated with me because I’ve intentionally built my business around benefiting underserved communities in my home city of Detroit. It’s also a way to give my teenage son a lasting legacy and to honor my Jamaican parents, who sacrificed a lot when they left Jamaica to come to the U.S.”

Tafari discussed her funding impasse with local Operation HOPE financial wellbeing coach Brooke Ratliff. Armed with Brooke’s knowledge and the organization’s resources, Tafari is now having conversations with angel investors, CDFIs, and even the casting producers at Shark Tank to find optimal ways to grow her business. At Brooke’s urging, she’s also in the process of enhancing loan applications and investor presentations with advanced analytics like financial modeling and projections to better tell her growth story.

Scaling-up will give Tafari the opportunity to meet the social entrepreneurship goals she has for her business, including hiring more local employees. Tafari’s ultimate goal is to “get it in the hands of people who have hands,” distributing soapsheets around the globe, including to underdeveloped countries to aid sanitation practices and help communities there reduce illness transmission.

Tafari gives Brooke all the credit in helping her learn about different funding options to grow her business. “She was the pivotal point at this stage of my entrepreneurial journey; the linchpin. I’d go so far as to say that she’s the G.O.A.T,” Tafari added with a laugh.

***

Connect with Rove Soapsheets via Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, website or by email. You can also connect with Tafari via LinkedIn here.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter,

Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post Knowledge “Transmission” from Operation HOPE Helps this Entrepreneur to Scale-up appeared first on Operation HOPE.

And with the right support system — like Operation HOPE — you can build, scale, and soar.”

The post “Your vision is valid. Your voice matters” appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Through Operation HOPE’s Small Business Development Program, in partnership with the 1MBB initiative, and one-on-one mentorship with Coach Angelic Mister, Jeffery worked for six months to prepare himself for a business loan. He first worked on a plan with Coach Angelic to improve his credit score, which he moved from 633 to 686. He then worked on his business plan, and, in January of this year, he was approved for a loan of $25,000 from First Horizon Bank.

He recently shared how his vision will impact the community of Memphis:

“Thanks to the incredible support of Operation HOPE’s Angelic Mister and First Horizon Bank, Memphis Basketball Trainers have secured a $25,000 loan that will propel our mission forward. This partnership empowers small businesses like ours to make a lasting impact on youth development. With this support, we’ll continue equipping young athletes with the skills, confidence, and character needed to excel both on and off the court. We’re deeply grateful for their belief in our vision!”

The post How a Small Business Loan is Fueling a Memphis Mission appeared first on Operation HOPE.

As a Disaster Operations Coach and Coordinator in Los Angeles, Andrew’s job is to spread awareness of the disaster relief that Operation HOPE offers and support clients with coaching and resources.  And he’s been busy!  Just last week, Andrew:

• Conducted 18 individual coaching sessions 
• Assisted 8 clients with FEMA appeals, 3 clients with insurance claim or mortgage-related support, and 1 client with a smoke remediation contract estimate 
• Registered 4 new clients and referred 4 others to additional support services 
• Connected 4 clients with housing referrals

He also attended 7 key partner meetings/events and initiated partnership conversations with 12 local and national organizations.

When asked why he does this work, Andrew said, “disaster disrupts more than just physical possessions; it unsettles the financial stability and systems people depend on. Before joining Operation HOPE, I worked as a consultant helping general contractors strengthen their businesses. Now, I support small business recovery and assist survivors in rebuilding solid financial foundations through personalized counseling and resource navigation. My mission is to help survivors regain control and confidence, transforming uncertainty into actionable steps toward a stronger, more resilient future.”

Niki, a Disaster Operations Coach and Coordinator in Los Angeles, helps survivors with small businesses to understand their options and resources to rebuild.  At the beginning of this month, she represented Operation HOPE at a Small Business Forum called Advancing Small Business Resiliency and Strength. 

She reported that the event was a success, featuring over 40 exhibitors including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), credit unions, and nonprofits supporting small businesses with disaster recovery needs. In addition to speaking on a panel and gathering resources for her clients, she networked with over 20 small business owners as well as several organizations that are interested in future partnerships. 

When asked why she does this work, Niki said, “I believe in the strength of the LA community and the resilience of small business owners here. With my banking background, I know how important it is to have access to resources and financial stability. Being able to help entrepreneurs get back on their feet and rebuild their businesses honestly gives me such a sense of purpose.”

The post Project Restore HOPE LA: Coach Stories appeared first on Operation HOPE.

“Brooke kept us confident. She knew I had a decade of experience in the restaurant business and we had assets, which made us strong candidates for a loan. We just needed help presenting all of this in a business plan. She really went above and beyond—meeting with us on a regular basis to refine our pitch and urging us to be as specific as possible when it came to expenses and sales. She’d also check on us to know more about our progress with different lenders,” said Maurice. 

With a comprehensive business plan now in hand, the couple was ready to approach lenders again, but where should they go first? Operation HOPE could assist here as well, and Brooke was able to refer the couple to several lenders that work with entrepreneurs who were just starting out.

Five months later, the couple was thrilled when CDC Loans approved their loan. Five months after that, the food truck’s retrofitting was complete, it passed the required health inspections, and Maurice and Bridget held their first event at an automotive plant with 500 employees.

“I’m 51, and life has been challenging. I’m finally accomplishing a dream I’ve had to be an entrepreneur—it’s a blessing,” said Bridget. Maurice added, “the HOPE program is fantastic. Brooke is fantastic, she 100% made this happen. It’s discouraging when you have a dream and you can’t secure a loan—we didn’t know where to turn. Operation HOPE was a breath of fresh air, it literally gave us hope.”

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

The post Operation HOPE Fuels These Food Truck Entrepreneurs appeared first on Operation HOPE.