At ELI Thrive, coaching is more than a meeting. It is a partnership built to help our families move from where they are to where they want to be. Our holistic coaching model sees every participant as resilient, capable, and thriving, and focuses on building environments where change is possible.

We see families as resilient, capable, and thriving. Our role is to walk alongside them as they build the life they deserve.

Every coaching session is guided by the GPS Principles:

• G – Goal-Driven - We collaborate with our families to help them identify and achieve the goals that matter most to them.

• P – Participant-Centered - Our families’ journey is at the heart of everything we do. We meet them where they are and guide them forward.

• S – Strengths-Based - We focus on the strengths they already possess and help them build upon them to make meaningful progress.

Housing has always been one of the main goals of ELI. This program helps families find safe and secure housing. While enrolled in the program, the head(s) of household will attend monthly coaching meetings. The goal of coaching meetings is to establish a monthly budget, set goals, improve credit score and provide counsel. For those who meet the requirements, a monthly housing subsidy may be available (up to $200). Monthly subsidies are determined by income, family size, and program participation. All subsidies will be reviewed yearly.

Coaches can also assist families who want to pursue home ownership by helping develop plans to secure a down payment and obtain a home mortgage. While involved with the program, clients will have access to continued benefits. Benefits may include food market access, utility assistance, diaper bank access, etc.
Read more about our Path to Home Ownership.

The changing face of employment paired with the uncertainty of school and childcare for the population we work with has been the catalyst for program expansion. In order to help our families explore career options, training opportunities, post-secondary education, and certifications for advancement to meet their employment goals; we hired a Workforce Development Coach as a full-time staff member.

For families ready to take the next step toward entrepreneurship, ELI partners with the Birmingham Community Incubator (BCI) — a six-week business boot camp designed to help locally owned start-ups flourish. Through BCI, our clients gain hands-on training in business planning, financial management, licensing, and more, walking away with a real roadmap for sustainable self-employment. It's one of the most powerful ways we help families move from employment goals to business ownership.

Employment looks different for every family, and Bridge Bakery helps create flexible, sustainable income opportunities.
Through this initiative, our clients who have launched their own baking businesses can sell directly to churches, companies, and groups in our community. When you order from a Bridge Bakery baker, you’re supporting a local entrepreneur — and helping a family thrive.
View our bakers and order here.

One requirement for participation in our program is financial literacy training. In 2024 we began partnering with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Alabama A&M University and offering FLIP: Financial Literacy in Progress classes to our participants. These classes are designed to empower our clients with essential financial knowledge and skills.

Serving You Ministries offers emergency utility assistance for Alabama Power, Spire, and Trussville Utilities. Financial assistance is available twice a year for eligible clients. For more information on utility assistance, visit https://www.servingyou.org/need-help.

The Barrett Elementary Tutoring Program, a collaboration between ELI and Christ Church, is on a mission to empower students in the East Lake community of Birmingham. Our dedicated tutors partner with children at Barrett Elementary, providing weekly tutoring sessions typically lasting an hour. These sessions, scheduled at various times during the school day, create a supportive learning environment for students.

Tutors have the opportunity to make a lasting impact in a child's academic journey. Our tutors commit from fall to the end of the school year, ensuring consistent support for each assigned student.

If you're passionate about education and eager to contribute to a brighter future, we invite you to join us in this rewarding endeavor. For more information about volunteering with the Barrett Elementary Tutoring Program, please contact Martha Knight at mck7@bellsouth.net or 205.516.5716.

At ELI Thrive, we believe thriving communities begin with dignity, opportunity, and access to healthy resources. One of the ways we bring that vision to life is through our Community Garden located in Eastlake.

The garden is an important part of our program and serves as both a practical resource and a place of encouragement for the families we serve. Families participating in ELI Thrive are invited to work in the garden, learn alongside others, and enjoy the fresh produce grown there. The garden creates opportunities for connection, responsibility, and wellness while providing healthy food for families in our program.

Our dedicated Garden Manager, Daniel, oversees the daily care and operation of the garden. From planting and maintaining crops to training volunteers and supporting families as they learn and participate, Daniel plays a vital role in helping the garden flourish. He always welcomes individuals, groups, and volunteers who want to lend a hand and be part of the impact.

The reach of the garden extends beyond our ELI Thrive families. Any leftover produce is donated to Serving You Ministries to help stock their community market, allowing even more families in our community to benefit from fresh, healthy food.

The Community Garden is more than rows of vegetables.  It is a place where growth happens in every sense of the word. Through shared work, healthy food, and meaningful relationships, the garden reflects our mission of empowering families to move from crisis to thriving.

Serving You Ministries operates a client choice food market for families needing emergency food assistance. To make an appointment, call 205.777.3653. For more information on eligibility and what to bring to your appointment, visit https://www.servingyou.org/need-help.