“I learned that money was given to me, and it was all a gift from God”

Meet Alfredo,

He participated and graduated from Financial Catalyst in 2022 as he purchased a Honda Accord to resolve his transportation challenges. Currently, he is serving as an Ally (volunteer) for a Financial Catalyst small group and teaching what he learned as he invests back into his community. Here’s his story:

“I first heard of Financial Catalyst through Grace Place - a transitional home that focuses on helping offenders come out of prison, transition back into society, and make Jesus Christ the center of it all.

 I was raised in a conservative Church of Christ, and I never really understood what the word of God was. It wasn't until I was truly broken and ended up going to prison that I knew that God was the way. I was taught this truth as a child, so God was what I looked for when I was deep and drowning in the water. I always knew of God, but I had my own struggles in my life that I wasn't equipped to handle, and I didn't know who to ask.

Growing up, my mom taught us that work was really important and so was money. Growing up into In my young adulthood, I wanted to make money and that was because I wanted to have the nicest things. I wanted the nicest car. I wanted to always look nice, better than everybody, and I just wanted to make an appearance.

But in Part 1 of Financial Catalyst, I learned that money was given to me, and it was all a gift from God. I learned what it is that I was supposed to do with it and how to manage it and keep track of everything.

I really enjoyed Part 2 - Accelerated Savings Program. It was more or less a lot of fellowship, and it became more personal. I had an ally, Tom, who I know went way above and beyond his calling. The concern and the love that he showed my small group was just so genuine. And it made me feel so special.

My favorite part of the program was to experience what it felt like to purchase an asset in cash. I had just gotten out of prison, and I was not able to get around our city. So, I decided to save toward and purchase a vehicle.

After I went through Financial Catalyst, it changed my whole perception of money. I wanted to make the best of the money that the Lord gave me and started saving. I saved a lot of money. I learned a lot through Financial Catalyst. Financial Catalyst taught me what true financial liberty was.

I went through the program the first time as a steward (participant), and the second time around, I served as a volunteer table leader and now as an Ally. I feel like I am really reaping the benefits of the whole program now that I'm able to give back the things that were given to me, and it feels so fulfilling. I don't feel that I reaped all the benefits till now. I feel that being able to serve has come full circle into what it is that the program has to offer.

Galatians 6:9 says: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”, and that is exactly what Financial Catalyst did for me.”