Time to celebrate! EMPath is so excited to congratulate the 2021 graduates of our five-year flagship program, Career Family Opportunity (CFO).

This year’s 17 hard-working graduates set a combined total of 1,003 goals and achieved them at a rate of 73%. Graduates increased their annual incomes by a whopping 170% on average, and many earned associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and certificates. A number of them participated in EMPath’s Voices Advocacy Council and Speakers Bureau, raising their voices and sharing their experiences to advocate for policy change. And all of this in the middle of a global pandemic.

“They have overcome so much and still achieved ambitious goals,” says Sarah Bellemore, Director of CFO. “It’s impressive anytime, but add on what the last year and a half has been like, it’s even more remarkable.”

The ongoing pandemic meant an in-person graduation was off the table, so CFO staff held a virtual paint night to celebrate. In order to graduate from CFO, participants must have been in the program for at least two years, have a career job that is making at least 60% Area Median Income (AMI) for their household size (and that tracks towards 80% AMI), accumulate $3,425 of their own money in their IDA (which is matched 2:1 if they meet all other graduation requirements), and meet with EMPath’s Financial Specialist to discuss plans for their IDA savings.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the CFO program. Thanks to the support from programs such as this one, I can say that I’ve grown into a much better person than I was five years ago,” Nathalie, one of this year’s graduates, shared. “I have accomplished so many things, it’s hard for me to even believe. I lost 40 pounds, have a routine for daily physical activity and mindfulness, and am fueling my body with good food. I have full-time and part-time jobs with good pay and benefits, increased my credit score (from filing bankruptcy), I’m a survivor of domestic violence, went through a difficult divorce and custody battle that almost broke me but I came out on top, earned my associates and bachelors degrees… and the best is yet to come! I have so much more I want to accomplish but I just feel good at where I am today. Thank you EMPath, CFO Program, my mentor and everyone who is part of this amazing organization.”

CFO was the first program at EMPath to pilot the organization’s signature coaching approach, Mobility Mentoring®. In the approach, mentors support participants in setting education, career, family, well-being, and financial goals. This comprehensive model – used across all EMPath programs – is rooted in the idea that effective, empowering coaching involves mentor and participant partnering to work toward the participant’s goals.

Sarah says she loves seeing participants improve their decision-making skills while in CFO. “We spend a lot of time in our mentoring sessions thinking things through. By the end of the program, people are better able to weigh out options before making decisions, and are less reactionary in the moment. It’s wonderful seeing that process become internalized and watching people’s brain capacity free up over time.”

Many graduates also cite greater financial literacy as a key takeaway. “By the end of their time in their program, people share that they have a much better understanding of finances and credit,” Sarah says. “Everything isn’t perfect of course, but many say they feel less powerless when it comes to money.”

Another stand-out aspect of CFO is the community built within the program. Participants don’t just have the support of their own mentor, but of all CFO staff and all other participants.

“It’s hard to do these things alone. CFO is a group of 50 mostly-single parents who are setting goals, looking to pursue education and careers, and learning about finances,” Sarah explains. “It’s a built-in support system of people who are working towards similar things.”

“The collective of remarkable women within CFO has allowed me to see that I am a person who is going through difficult times AND TRYING!” Karla, another graduate, wrote. “It’s not always pretty. I make mistakes, but those mistakes guide me to what is right for right now AND that can change as I learn and grow and acquire more resources. This program has been a blessing. We all do it differently but together. It is amazing.”

Nearly half of the women graduating this year also completed EMPath’s whole-family coaching program, Intergen, as part of their time in CFO. Intergen engages parents/guardians, children, and other household members in working towards goals both individually and as a family.

Congratulations to the 2021 graduates! We are so proud of all your accomplishments.