Our Client Stories
Because of ELI and your support, hope has been restored to so many men and women and their families living in Birmingham, Alabama. Here are just a few stories of families thriving in our community
We are so proud of our most recent graduating class. You all are overcomers!
We’re excited to celebrate and congratulate the incredible Thrive Families who have recently graduated from the ELI Thrive program!
Graduation is more than completing a program—it represents the hard work, commitment, and growth it takes to work toward greater financial stability and self-sufficiency.
We are so proud of all 35 of our graduates for the goals they’ve accomplished, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the steps they’ve taken toward building a stronger future for themselves and their families.
Congratulations, Thrive Graduates! We’re honored to have been part of your journey and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish next. Keep growing, keep dreaming, and keep thriving!
Economic Stability
When Alexis's client joined ELI Thrive, she came in with a clear goal to turn her financial situation around. She did exactly that.
Through hard work, consistency, and dedication, she paid off every single dollar of debt she carried into the program. She is now completely debt-free. And she didn't stop there. Her credit score has improved tremendously; she has a lender in place and is actively working through the home-buying process.
Homeownership was one of the goals she set when she started our program. Now it is no longer a dream. It's the next step.
We are so proud of everything she has accomplished and cannot wait to celebrate what comes next. 💛
— Alexis Perez, ELI Thrive Coach
Housing
The following is a success shared by my client: I recently achieved a major milestone by purchasing my first home, an investment property in Atlanta that I plan to use as a rental to create an additional stream of income and build long-term wealth for my family. This accomplishment means so much to me, and I’m proud of the resilience, determination, and willingness to learn that helped me get here. My daughter continues to inspire me every day, especially seeing her write a children’s book at just 6 years old, which motivates me to keep striving for more. In the next five years, I envision myself owning multiple properties, growing my business, and creating lasting financial stability while also helping others along the way. As the client shared, “ELI has provided me with encouragement, accountability, and valuable resources that helped me stay focused on my goals. Having a support system that believes in me and celebrates my progress has made a significant impact on my journey, especially in reaching milestones like becoming a homeowner.
— Macy Brittain, ELI Thrive Coach
Workforce Development
After everything life threw her way, Hallie's client made a decision — she was going to keep moving forward anyway.
She recently returned to the road as a regional truck driver while simultaneously continuing to pursue her education. Balancing both is no small feat, and she knows it. But for her, stopping was never really an option. Her children are her motivation, and building a better future for them is what keeps her showing up — even on the hard days.
Her advice to others in the ELI program is simple and powerful: never be ashamed of starting over. Life can change your plans, but that doesn't mean your goals have to change too. Show up, use the support around you, and give yourself grace along the way.
We are so proud of her resilience and so honored to walk alongside her.
-Hallie Brown, ELI Thrive Coach
Entrepreneur
We are excited to celebrate one of our Carmen’s clients and her incredible accomplishments!
Since joining ELI Thrive, her client has continued to grow as a community leader and entrepreneur. She recently graduated from the ACE Civic Engagement Academy, where she developed leadership skills and strengthened her commitment to serving the Birmingham community. She was also selected for the City of Birmingham Business Accelerator 1.0 Cohort, a 10-week program designed to help local entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
In addition, Carmen’s client was awarded two community grants totaling $6,250 to support her business and community development efforts. Her dedication, perseverance, and passion for making a difference are truly inspiring.
Congratulations! We are so proud of all she has accomplished and can't wait to see what she achieves next.
-Carmen Wright, Thrive Coach
RELATIONSHIPS COUNT
Hear Keisha tell her story and how her life was transformed positively because of the relationships she built with the community of people involved with ELI and the choices available to her.
RESOURCES TO REACH GOALS
Listen to Helen, a participant in our program, talk about how the resources she received from ELI and your support are helping her reach her personal and business goals.