“Financial Catalyst really made a big difference in my life.”

Meet Davina,

She participated in and graduated from Financial Catalyst through our partner, Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, in January 2022 as she purchased a home for her and her 4 daughters. With recent health and financial challenges, she credits her training and discipleship in Financial Catalyst to create deeper resolve and fortitude amidst adversity. Here’s her story:

“I am a single mom, and I have four girls. My mom abandoned me when I was little. My dad did a great job, but he was an alcoholic. God has shown me so much grace. Growing up, I wasn't taught how important it was to save money.

I would spend every dollar I had. I just learned how to survive. I don't even know how I made it this far. You don't think about saving. You don't think about any of that. You just think about - what are you going to feed your kids? How are you going to pay your rent?

 I first heard of Financial Catalyst through Brother Bill’s Helping Hand in West Dallas. It was interesting because they wanted to teach us how to be financially free. They wanted us to learn how to save, which was something I was not really good at. I’m a single mom with four kids, so it taught me a lot and also brought me closer to my faith. Financial Catalyst really made a big difference in my life. 

I was going through a lot in my life and attending the financial education classes gave me hope. It just gave you something to look forward to. There were some days I would want to give up. When the volunteers and teachers would come and see us, it was amazing and rewarding. When I would go back to class, they would just give us that hope again. I was surrounded by women who were going down the same path as I was, so I knew I wasn't alone. And you could feel free to be yourself.  My Ally, Susie, was amazing. She pushed us, believed in us, and she taught us that there is hope. I was encouraged to save, and every dollar that I saved was matched 2:1 by Watermark CDC. At the end of the year, I saved for and purchased a home. 

On January 4th, 2022, I closed on my house. Susie was there, and she was just as happy as I was. I chose to save for a home because I knew that I could leave it to my children, and my children could leave it to their children. My kids and I were living in a shelter at one point, so it means so much to me to be able to own a home. 

On March 10th, 2023, I had a brain aneurysm and two strokes. I was in ICU and 10 days later I had another stroke, and then I was in the ICU for about 26 days, and God brought me through it. It really changed my outlook on a lot of things. We are not promised tomorrow. My health right now is in limbo, but God didn't bring me this far to leave me. And that gives me hope. He brings me this peace beyond understanding.

Through Financial Catalyst, I was able to learn how to save for the unexpected. I hope that my girls learn how to save, how to become independent women and teach their children because it is a generational lesson. Financial Catalyst is a program where you can reach your goals.”