Unemployed and without a place to call home, Brandon Holt has been “couch surfing,” not knowing if he’ll have a place to sleep at night and relying on the kindness of friends. He’s been on the job hunt for months now, doing odd jobs and landscaping work to bring in a little cash. He longs for a place to call his own – and until Getting Ahead, he had lost any hope of making that happen. 

Brandon was one of 7 people who graduated from our Getting Ahead economic empowerment group last month. He’s still facing challenges but now he has hope, a support system and lots of local resources to help.  

“Getting Ahead was a real encouragement and something positive in my life I looked forward to every week. I honestly miss the sessions,” he said. “It made me realize I’m not the only person struggling out here and I’ve been encouraged not to give up.”

During the 19-session Getting Ahead program, participants like Brandon discuss 11 resources that we each need to thrive: financial, emotional, mental/cognitive, language, social capital, physical, spiritual, integrity & trust, motivation & persistence, relationships/role models and knowledge of hidden rules. Poverty isn’t just about money, but it is often the first thing people think of when talking about instability. 

GA graduates are also eligible for seven sessions of free professional life coaching to help them achieve the goals they set for themselves. Our innovative Emergency Savings Incentive Program allows graduates to earn a $500 emergency savings account as they build skills needed for success.

Getting Ahead facilitator Ruth Wilson describes Brandon as “the spark” for their sessions. 

“He really brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the group,” she said. “If he wasn’t there, he was missed. It was like a part of the family was missing and we made sure to let him know that.” 

Brandon first heard about Getting Ahead while volunteering at one of our food pantries with a friend. The incentive of free dinners and earning a $35 Wal-Mart gift card for every session he attended was his first motivation for applying. But he quickly found more. 

“I feel like we all became really good friends and family,” he said, adding that one of his fellow participants even started giving him rides to the sessions so he didn’t have to walk so far. “I met such good people and learned a lot, like how to be smarter with spending and all the different opportunities to help with free housing, food, transportation, and job searches.”

With an automotive background, Brandon is considering taking classes at South Piedmont Community College to earn some certifications in the field. He’s also hoping to become trained as a co-facilitator for a future Getting Ahead session. As a GA graduate, he’s now able to attend the newly formed men’s support group, monthly resource meetings and Stability & Growth workshops too. 

“I feel like Getting Ahead has set me on the right path,” he said. “I know I have a lot of things to follow up on, but I’m hopeful now,” he said. 

If you think you would benefit from Getting Ahead, apply online at Getting Ahead – Common Heart. Participants receive a $35 Wal-Mart gift card plus free dinner and free childcare (if needed) for every session they attend. Graduates have the opportunity to receive free life coaching and earn $500 deposited into a bank account through our Emergency Savings Incentive Plan (ESIP). Call Ruth Wilson at 704-875-7887 with any questions. 

If you would like to help support the GA program with financial or meal donations, call Grace Lotharp at 704-684-9007. Speakers are also needed to share expertise during monthly resource meetings.