When Makissy joined Common Wealth Charlotte’s (CWC) Generation2080 program in 2023, she already had a quiet determination to build a better financial future. She’d been working with her counselor since December 2022 after being referred through Goodwill of the Southern Piedmont. Over three years, CWC’s  guidance and encouragement became a steady part of Makissy’s journey. 

Generation2080 taught Makissy how to make every extra dollar count. Whenever she had surplus money, she added it to her savings - steadily building $3,500 in her matched-savings account by the end of the two-year cohort. 

That discipline paid off in a life-changing way. After nearly two years and two failed attempts with one local housing organization, Makissy will officially close on her very own home in August 2025! With over $50,000 in down payment assistance through House Charlotte and other grants, she is achieving a milestone she once only dreamed about. “It has been a journey,” Makissy says. “And after all this time, I cannot believe I finally own a home!” 

She credits her counselor for connecting her with individuals within the housing market, introducing her to programs like DreamKey Partners, and helping her find saving habits that put her in a position to purchase a home. 

A lesson she wants others to know? “Spend wisely. Just because you see something doesn’t mean you should go out and splurge. First, look around your house for what you can already use, or what you can sell to put toward savings.” 

Looking ahead, Makissy is focused on staying financially stable and maintaining her budget in order to keep her bills current. Her story is a testament to what intentional saving, supportive guidance, and persistence can achieve. 

In 2022, after completing a rehabilitation program at Charlotte Rescue Mission, Tobin connected with Common Wealth Charlotte (CWC) through aftercare support. This would be the first time he’d ever had the chance to build credit. 

“I wouldn’t have credit without CWC,” Tobin says. “I’d been in addiction for most of my life, so I didn’t know anything about finances. CWC taught me about managing money, and I then became able buy furniture for my apartment.”  

Through Common Wealth Charlotte’s counseling and support, Tobin not only established credit, but also started his savings. Today, he has $10,000 set aside toward his next goal: purchasing a home with a yard. Looking further ahead, Tobin also dreams of creating a nonprofit community center. 

Currently, he’s interning at the Carolina Center for Recovery, working toward becoming a substance abuse counselor, and already leading anger management classes. His vision is twofold: help others avoid the pitfalls he once fell into and build generational wealth for his family. 

One of the most important lessons he’s learned from working with CWC is about financial perspective. “They taught me how to budget better, think about generational wealth, and invest in assets that hold value,” Tobin explains – as his financial motto simply puts it: “Don’t spend more than you make. Because you can...but don’t.”

For more than 10 years, Antonia worked at Goodwill, helping community members gain stability through employment and training. But when Goodwill partnered with Common Wealth Charlotte (CWC), she realized that she, too, could benefit from the financial tools and education being offered. “I wanted a better understanding of payday loans and how damaging they can be,” Antonia admits. 

With encouragement from CWC’s Executive Director, Antonia applied for a small, no-interest Credibility Loan. That loan not only allowed her to pay off a bill, but also helped repair her credit score - setting her on a new financial path.  

And the impact stretched beyond her own life. “Speaking with my counselor about predatory loans gave me knowledge I could pass along to the clients I worked with at Goodwill,” she says. “That education doesn’t just stay with me, it multiplies.” 

Now, Antonia is dreaming bigger. She’s preparing to purchase her first home in Charlotte within the next two years. She also hopes to invest in rental property, diversifying her income and building generational wealth for her daughters. 

Her financial motto reflects the wisdom she’s gained through working with Common Wealth Charlotte: “My relationship with money determines if I’m going to be okay or not. That relationship can be detrimental through overspending, or it can be beneficial by helping me reach my goals, provide security for my girls, and achieve financial independence.” For Antonia, the difference between those two paths comes down to education, support, and the courage to take the first step toward change. 

Jewel first learned about Common Wealth Charlotte (CWC) while participating in the Anuvia outpatient drug treatment program. One day, two CWC representatives visited to host an information session and one thing immediately caught her attention: the opportunity for no-interest loans. 

Since then, Jewel took advantage of the no-interest loan program – a lifeline that was especially handy during a period of unemployment. “I’ve had a great relationship with my counselor,” she says. “There are a lot of organizations screaming their offerings at you, but Common Wealth Charlotte really suits my needs. And I feel that it’s my responsibility to reciprocate as part of the process, by paying my loans on time.”  

For Jewel, these loans aren’t just about getting through today, they’re part of a bigger plan for her financial  future. She’s using CWC’s partnership with Skyla Credit Union to help pay off her loans as well as set money aside. She’s also working on building her credit with a new card. “I’m positioning myself to continue to move forward,” Jewel explains. That means finishing her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program, with the possibility of buying a home in the future. “I plan to stay connected with my financial counselor...to keep learning, and to keep growing.”  

Along the way, she’s also passing her knowledge to the next generation. “I’ve told my son about the importance of finances and generational wealth,” she claims, “I want him to know how to manage money and not have the fear of trying something new.” 

Her financial motto reflects the wisdom she’s gained throughout her journey: “Live within your means. I’m old enough now to not let my wants take me away from my needs.” 

For Santeina, recovery meant more than sobriety - it meant rebuilding her life piece by piece, including her finances. After completing treatment at Dove’s Nest, Santeina transitioned to the YWCA, where she learned about Common Wealth Charlotte’s (CWC) reentry support. At the time, her credit was badly damaged, and the idea of trying to repair it felt overwhelming.  

That changed when she began working with her CWC financial counselor. “She was so good at calming my nerves,” Santeina recalls. “She explained the importance of credit, showed me what to take off my report, and encouraged me to start small.” 

At first, Santeina deposited just $10 a month into a savings account with Skyla Credit Union. But that small step was transformational. “I was inspired,” she says. “This was the life and mindset I remembered before my alcohol journey. I realized that I could do this.” With patience and persistence, she paid off her smaller debts and slowly began to rebuild her credit.  

Two years later, Santeina is proud to say she’s sober, her credit score is rising, and her outlook on money has completely shifted. “I even called everyone I knew when I paid off a loan,” she laughs. “Credit used to scare me, but now I see that with patience and education, it doesn’t have to!” 

Perhaps most importantly, CWC helped Santeina rediscover her confidence. Her counselor not only believed in her, but gave her practical tools that empowered her to take control. “She inspired me and gave me a sense of self again,” Sandy says. “I feel like I’m becoming visible again, a productive part of society when I didn’t think I could get there.”   

Her biggest takeaway is simple: “A little education goes a long way. Credit can be just as important as cash, but it doesn’t have to be as scary...because if I can rebuild, anyone can.” 

In June 2024, Ms. Johnson found herself at a crossroads. Recently gaining custody of her three grandchildren, she needed to find a larger apartment to accommodate her growing family. But with her credit score standing in the way, Ms. Johnson knew she had to act. 

That’s when she turned to Common Wealth Charlotte (CWC) for help. One of her primary financial goals was to improve her credit score, and CWC’s Credibility Loan program became the perfect solution. In June, Ms. Johnson received her loan, and just three months later, in September 2024, her credit score had increased by 88 points. With this improvement, Ms. Johnson began exploring housing options that were previously out of reach. 

“I wanted to take time to give you some insight on how Common Wealth Charlotte impacted my life,” Ms. Johnson shared. “A few years ago, I met Tonia M. in the lowest moment of my life. I had recently lost my job, vehicle, and couldn’t afford rent. Tonia approved me for a loan and educated me on next steps towards a life of financial freedom and stability.” 

Ms. Johnson’s journey with CWC was about more than just improving her credit score. It was about being seen and supported as a person. “Your organization didn’t just look at a credit score to make a decision—you got to know me, the person. That makes all the difference and can truly empower people to make real life changes for the better.” 

Thanks to the support from CWC, Ms. Johnson is now actively searching for a new home and has options that were once out of reach. She is just one example of how CWC empowers individuals to create lasting change. As she reflects on her journey, she says, “I’m just a small testament to the great work this organization does.” 

— Jasmine C, Client

— Clinton, Client

— Kim Sloat, Director, Executive Advistory Services at Bank of America, and CWC Board Member

— Pamela Rudd, Vice President, Community Mortgage Officer at Regions Bank, and CWC Board Member

— Ashley S, Client

— Joshua, Client

— Trina Fullard, Chief Program Officer, Charlotte Rescue Mission

— Jeffrey Gatica, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives Manager

— Jay Everette, Senior Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility Leader, Wells Fargo

— ShermCo Annual Report for FY ‘22/’23

— Ira L, Client

— Dravia H, Client

— Chris Woodfolk, Corporate Citizenship Partner, LendingTree Foundation

— Tom Lawrence, President, The Leon Levine Foundation

— Monica B, Generation2080 Participant