In partnership with local and national organizations, Operation HOPE’s team of financial wellbeing coaches is offering immediate assistance and tools to support long-term stability.

Available Services Include:

• Financial counseling
• Credit and money management counseling
• Emergency budget preparation
• Assistance negotiating and working with creditors
• Foreclosure prevention
• Financial management workshops

The shutdown has placed severe stress on some of the country’s most vulnerable populations. With programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) facing disruption and many employee paychecks on hold, the impact is felt most deeply by households already living paycheck to paycheck, as well as by families with children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income communities.

Recognizing that the financial fallout will extend far beyond the immediate effects, Operation HOPE is stepping in to provide stabilization and planning support for those most in need.

If you or someone you know has been financially affected by the shutdown, help is available now.

Connect with a HOPE financial wellness coach today or call 1-888-388-HOPE (4673) for assistance.

The post Hope Is On The Way: Operation HOPE Offers Relief to Families Impacted by Federal Government Shutdown appeared first on Operation HOPE.

How Are You Future Proofing? Preparing Today for a Stronger Tomorrow

The future doesn’t wait but we can prepare for it.

As we approach the 2025 HOPE Global Forums Annual Meeting, taking place December 1–3 in Atlanta, our theme, “Future Proofing“, invites each of us to take a closer look at how we’re building readiness and resilience in our own lives.

Future Proofing is about more than protection. It’s about positioning. It means equipping individuals, families, and communities to embrace change and excel through it.

What Future Proofing Looks Like

Future Proofing might look different for everyone, but it always begins with preparation and possibility.

Here are a few ways people are taking action today:

• Building emergency savings to cover unexpected expenses or disruptions.
• Completing an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) to safeguard vital documents before a disaster strikes.
• Strengthening financial literacy to understand digital currencies like Bitcoin better, explore investing, or make smarter financial decisions.
• Learning about AI and emerging technologies, and developing new skills to stay competitive in the changing job market.
• Using modern media, like podcasts, live streams, and social platforms, to educate, connect, and lead conversations that shape the future.
• Reimagining the old, blending tradition and innovation to carry forward timeless wisdom through new tools and approaches.

Whether it’s saving $500 for emergencies, starting a small business, mentoring someone in your community, or learning a new skill online every action is a step toward a more resilient and opportunity-rich future.

Your Turn: Share How You’re Future Proofing

We want to hear from you.

How are you preparing for the future in your home, your workplace, or your neighborhood?
What small (or big) steps are you taking today to build a stronger tomorrow?

Tell us your story in the comments below and see how others are building resilience across the country.

The Bigger Picture: Future Proofing as Collective Opportunity

Future Proofing is about participation in the tech-forward economy.

Each of us has a role in building what comes next.
When we prepare individually, we strengthen our families.
When families strengthen, communities rise.
And when communities rise, opportunity expands for everyone.

That’s the spirit of Future Proofing and that’s what we’re building together.

Join the conversation and join us this December in Atlanta as we explore how to Future Proof our communities together.

Request an Invitation to HOPE Global Forums 2025

The post How Are You Future Proofing? Preparing Today for a Stronger Tomorrow appeared first on Operation HOPE.

At King, Inc.’s request, OpenAI has paused Sora generations depicting Dr. King while it strengthens guardrails for historical figures. We appreciate Dr. Bernice A. King’s outreach on behalf of King, Inc., and OpenAI’s willingness to engage.

This is precisely what the HOPE AI Ethics Council was built to do: facilitate respectful, solution-oriented dialogue so communities, families, and innovators can address real harms and co-design practical safeguards. We will continue to make space for conversations where dignity, consent, and context guide product choices.

Media: media@operationhope.org

Here’s the OpenAI statement for referral: https://x.com/openainewsroom/status/1979005850166648933?s=46

The post Operation HOPE & HOPE AI Ethics Council on OpenAI’s Pause of Sora Generations Depicting Dr. King appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Getting your foot on the property ladder is almost always a stretch financially for first-time home buyers, but the experience of Nancy A and her partner, George T in Huntington Park, CA, shows that it’s possible, even on a limited income. While interest rate hikes have put a damper on home buying activity in the short-term, now is a good time to build up your savings and get familiar with the process so you can be ready to put in an offer on a home when the right time comes. Here are a few key steps Nancy and George took so they could start building generational wealth through real
estate.

Be flexible – and realistic – on location and timing. Nancy and George concentrated their home search in Los Angeles, but just couldn’t make the numbers add up based on their income. A serendipitous meeting with a realtor at an Open House opened them up to the possibilities of Huntington Park, a city nearby, with many more houses for sale that fit their budget. It also helped that they weren’t in a rush and could take the time to explore the market.

“Know what you don’t know” when it comes to the home buying process. FHA vs. conventional loans. First time homebuyer loans and grants. APR. There’s a lot of jargon to decipher and that’s why it’s essential to have an expert by your side. On that front, Nancy and George leaned on the experience and knowledge of Operation HOPE Financial Wellbeing Coach, Emily Grajeda. Emily guided the couple through Operation HOPE’s homeownership education sessions so they could learn all about the loans and grants available to first time home buyers. Through Operation HOPE, Nancy and George were then connected to a loan officer at Boston Private (now Silicon Valley Bank), who helped them secure a mortgage on terms they could afford. The loan officer and Emily also urged the couple to apply for the WISH Grant. They were pleasantly surprised to receive down payment assistance through this program, which is available to low- to moderate-income earners.

It’s never too early to start saving for your down payment. Nancy encourages others to reach for the goal of homeownership, but cautions that it takes sacrifice. “While there’s a lot of
assistance for first time home buyers, you do need to do your part and commit to saving for a down payment and other closing expenses.” For the couple, that meant forgoing vacations and
limiting restaurant visits for three years as they saved for a house deposit. “At first we didn’t think it would be feasible to buy the home but with the assistance we received through
Operation HOPE and the resources our loan officer connected us with, we were able to actually get the home with the funds we had saved.”

Homeownership aids financial stability now—and wealth generation over the long run. Nancy is grateful for the financial stability that homeownership brings. “It’s a relief that I know exactly what my housing costs will be so I have the wiggle room to take on other loans and still maintain a reasonable debt to income ratio,” she said. Nancy is also optimistic that real estate can help her build wealth for the future; the couple is exploring options to build a small housing unit on the back of the property and eventually keep their first home as a rent-producing investment property when they’re ready to upgrade to a larger home.

“Be fully committed to taking the time to learn about the homeownership process, which is made easier with Operation HOPE by your side,” she said.

The post For California Couple, Real Estate is a Way to Build Wealth appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Lisa Schilthius is the classic innovator-type of person our small business coaches at Operation HOPE get to work with every day. With years of experience in their “day job,” they are able to identify an untapped need in the market that will make their customers’ lives better. For Lisa, an occupational therapist by profession, it was while she was working with seniors with memory loss that sent her on her entrepreneurial mission. Lisa started talking with her daughter, Alyssa Zehr, who was also an occupational therapist, about what she was seeing and how they might be able to help. Together, they started developing activity books, journals, puzzles and building kits that caregivers could use to spur interactions with their senior patients. In 2021, the duo formed GrandMinds LLC to expand the reach of their groundbreaking products.

With help from Lisa’s son, Elijah, Lisa and Alyssa started out producing the books and puzzles by hand, but as orders picked up, they knew that wasn’t going to be sustainable. What Lisa needed was an infusion of capital so that she could invest in a manufacturing process to mass produce GrandMinds’ products. She decided to participate in the 53 Voices Challenge, a pitch competition sponsored by one of Operation HOPE’s banking partners, Fifth Third Bank. The competition required small business owners to submit a 53-second video and one-pager explaining their business concept. Out of more than 400 applicants, GrandMinds took home first place–a $7,500 prize.

But the grant money wasn’t the only positive thing to come out of the 53 Voices Challenge for Lisa. During the competition, she was introduced to Operation HOPE Small Business Coach Brooke Ratliff, who set Lisa on a long-term path for growth. To start with, Lisa joined an online seminar hosted by Brooke that focused on how to write a business plan. Lisa found that conducting a market analysis enabled her to look at her business more objectively so that she could further refine her products to meet market needs.

“I had no idea how to do a business plan before meeting Brooke,” said Lisa. “The workshop was rigorous, but the workload was manageable because it was a weekly course, with assigned homework. Brooke was always available to answer questions specific to my circumstances, which was invaluable.”

The business plan Lisa developed with the help of Brooke’s seminar was key to GrandMinds finishing third in another competition. She and Alyssa used this new round of grant money to expand GrandMinds’ product line.

“Lisa is that rare entrepreneur who has the right balance of vision, commitment, and expertise that moves her forward to crush her goals,” said Brooke.

Lisa gives Brooke and Operation HOPE a lot of credit for the fact that GrandMinds now has a loyal customer base across the country. The next goal for the company is to offer a techenabled product that would help engage patients with later-stage dementia. But wherever her entrepreneurial journey takes her, Lisa’s confident Brooke will be along for the ride.

“She gets what my family and I are trying to achieve with this business. She’s always accessible when I have questions, and I hear from her regularly with news about new grant opportunities,” said Lisa. “I’m so grateful to have her in our corner.”

The post Operation HOPE Helps a Michigan Entrepreneur Solve the Puzzle of Scaling Up appeared first on Operation HOPE.

“There is no right time. It’s just having the right idea and you just can start and you can still learn on the way,” said Sierra B., a serial entrepreneur based in Jacksonville, Florida. This agile mindset served Sierra well when she started her fashion accessory business, KK Compliments. A self-described “sponge,” Sierra learned all she could about social media and content production and applied it to promoting her business. She was so successful that customers couldn’t believe that she was a one-woman operation. “They thought it looked like I was this big corporation. It just snowballed to me teaching others [about social media] and then offering those services to people,” she said.

While Sierra was clear on the services she wanted to offer clients in her new venture – Maverick Media – she did crave more knowledge about corporate governance and business strategy so that she could be eligible for loans and grants that she didn’t access in her first business. Through the Jacksonville start-up community, Sierra was introduced to Liz Joiner, a Small Business Coach at Operation HOPE and promptly joined the organization’s Small Business Development Program and 1MBB initiative to grow Maverick Media.

“I love the aspect of it being a workshop,” said Sierra about Operation HOPE’s program for entrepreneurs. “I look forward to it every week and taking my notes, and also learning the proper way to structure my business because everything I had learned with KK Compliments was kind of like trial and error,” she said. Sierra also credits Liz with why she graduated the program. “Liz was very relatable and genuine, always encouraging me to reach out if I ever had any questions,” she said. In true form, Sierra took the learnings from the Small Business Development Program and not only applied them to her business, but used them to guide her clients as well.

“I was aware of a SWOT analysis (analyzing the venture’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) from a prior workshop, but going in-depth on it during this program really just resonated with me, and it’s something that I’m still recommending to every client of mine,” she said. For Sierra, it adds immense value to the client relationship to help them think “bigger picture” through SWOT analysis and other frameworks. “I like to know more about what their business is—their mission and story that they’re trying to portray because visually I got to portray that story as well for them,” she explained.

Sierra implores people to be open to change and evolve: “You don’t have to be stuck in a box, you can do whatever,” she said. By way of a recent example, she pointed to joining YouTube and figuring out editing styles along the way as she produces content. “I’m actually doing the things that I wanted to do. I’ve never thought that it was possible. It’s just like, okay, I’m in it and I’m actually doing it. I’m getting paid to travel, to go places that I’ve never been, experience different things, and also doing what I love, which is creating memories for others.”

Sierra is a true example of how adopting a learning mindset—and leveraging available resources—can grow your business in sometimes unexpected ways.

The post Successful Entrepreneur Continues Learning with Operation HOPE appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Have you ever dreamed of turning your side hustle into a full-time business? Since its founding, Operation HOPE has guided individuals through the process of making this transition. We’ve learned that proficiency in their passion project will only get entrepreneurs so far—to reach their potential, they must learn how to run a business.

This is the situation that Nashville, Tennessee-based entrepreneur, Denise Wells, found herself in. Denise honed her skills in graphic design and photography as a full-time employee while working on freelance projects during nights and weekends. Denise enjoyed the control and freedom that came with freelance work, so in 2023 decided to take the plunge and convert her side hustle into a full-time business. She quickly learned that running her own business demanded more of her time on tasks that were unrelated to design and sought help from an entrepreneurship course offered by Operation HOPE in partnership with a small business incubator in Nashville. 

Operation HOPE Small Business Coach and Advisor for the course, Ronald Harvey, became Denise’s mentor on her entrepreneurship journey. After meeting with Ronald, it became clear to Denise that she needed to network to grow her business. “I’m an introvert by nature so networking is hard for me,” she acknowledged. “I was holding myself back because I didn’t feel that I could confidently say that I’m the best at what I can do. Since then, I have learned that, like many women, I was experiencing imposter syndrome.” Ronald nudged Denise to change her mindset and put herself out there—and she rose to the challenge. “Having to be accountable to Ronald kept me grounded. I’ve always loved talking to people, but how to offer my services without feeling salesy was definitely a mental hurdle I had to learn to overcome,” she said. 

Another practical consideration for entrepreneurs is whether they’ll be able to replace the income that their employee job provided—“running the numbers” is something that can be easily overlooked in the excitement of becoming your own boss. In Denise’s case, she sat down with 

Ronald and together they imagined different scenarios to build her new business that would enable her to replace her full-time employee income. Denise and Ronald also combed through her personal finances to find areas where she could save to provide an additional buffer if the business wasn’t ramping up as fast as she planned. Additionally, a discussion on credit gave her insights into how to use credit cards strategically to help manage her monthly expenses. 

As she approaches her one-year anniversary as a business owner, she believes that her success comes down to mindset and discipline. “Every morning, I make a point to get dressed and start my working hours at a specific time, even if it’s just a day where I’ll be at home by myself.” This daily habit gives her the confidence to continue developing new business relationships while excelling at the new projects she secures. Now in her second year as an entrepreneur, Ronald and Denise are creating a plan for how she can enhance her services to attract higher-paying clients. 

The post From Side Hustle to Full-Time Business appeared first on Operation HOPE.

In the interview, Chairman Bryant made it clear: the real dividing line in America today isn’t red or blue, or even Black and white—it’s green. And as the U.S. economy continues to rely heavily on consumer spending, everyday Americans are feeling the weight of financial decisions and public policy like never before. From tariffs and inflation to credit scores and business succession, the conversation touched on issues that hit kitchen tables across the country.

But more than just highlighting the challenges, Bryant offered a vision for what’s possible. Drawing on insights from his recent meeting with the U.S. Treasury Secretary and leveraging HOPE’s national footprint,, he called for a unified, bipartisan commitment to financial empowerment—one that centers economic dignity, expands access to capital, and repairs the financial ladder for those most often left behind.

At Operation HOPE, we believe that’s exactly what financial literacy represents: a pathway to stability, opportunity, and long-term wealth creation. It’s not a partisan issue—it’s an American one.

The post John Hope Bryant Joins Bloomberg to Elevate Financial Literacy as a National Priority appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Judith was 79 when she walked into one of our HOPE Inside locations, burdened by $34,000 in debt and juggling two mortgages. Despite having a steady income, the rising cost of living and credit card minimums made it nearly impossible to stay afloat, especially as she tried to support her unemployed son.

When her loan application was denied due to a low credit score, Judith was referred to the HOPE Credit and Money Management Program by a trusted bank partner. That’s when everything began to change.

Working alongside her dedicated HOPE Financial Wellbeing Coach, Judith completed our financial empowerment workshop, built a budget, and began the journey to improve her credit. When her score unexpectedly dropped to 597, they took a closer look and uncovered fraudulent activity on her report. Together, they filed disputes and stayed the course.

Today, Judith’s FICO score has soared to 702. She’s now back at the bank to apply for the loan she once thought was out of reach.

Her journey is a powerful reminder: it’s never too late to take control of your financial future.

If Judith can do it, so can you. Connect with a HOPE financial coach today and take your first step toward financial freedom. Visit www.operationhope.org to get started today!

The post At 79, Judith Took Control of Her Finances and Found HOPE appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Aneshai Smith, founder of GO See The City in Tampa, FL, found all these qualities in her HOPE Small Business Coach, David Daly, when she began working with him in 2020. What Aneshai appreciated most about David was his ability to “think bigger” about the potential of her business, even when she felt ambivalent about it in the beginning. 

“When I first met David, I struggled with the skills and experience required to grow from a solo founder into a full-time entrepreneur with a team.” Aneshai shared, “He pushed me to grasp how to make it happen and reminded me that the opportunities available now won’t last forever,” referencing a time when women- and Black- and Brown-owned businesses were at the forefront of national consciousness. 

Aneshai initially connected with Operation HOPE while working on another business, Grand Openings, which focused on connecting nearby residents with grand opening events. During the pandemic, she pivoted her business model to support local Orlando restaurants struggling with low foot traffic. With encouragement from David, she launched themed food tours to help these restaurants attract more customers. 

Tours such as the “12 Days of Christmas,” “Black-Owned Restaurant” food tour, and “Woman-Owned Restaurant” food tour offered discounted coupons to Grand Openings subscribers. These campaigns successfully increased foot traffic for participating restaurants. 

As David anticipated, her efforts went viral, earning Aneshai multiple news interviews. The email campaign promoting the food tours was titled “GO See The City,” a phrase that resonated deeply with her. During the pandemic, she was dedicated to spotlighting local restaurants that 

remained open, adhered to social distancing measures, and urgently needed community support to stay afloat. “David encouraged me every step of the way,” she said. 

What Aneshai didn’t realize at the time was that this phrase ‘GO See The City’, would later become the name of her tech company. Aneshai had created a private company solution to a major problem of our times: food waste. According to Feeding America, 92 billion pounds of food is wasted annually and 38% of all food goes unsold or uneaten. 

After the success of the promotional campaigns, Aneshai was contacted by a government accelerator that had heard about her impactful work with restaurants during the pandemic. They wanted to see if she could assist the city with its food waste issues, paving the way for the next chapter in her entrepreneurial journey. 

“David challenged me to think beyond a simple one-time concept and encouraged me to see the bigger picture and opportunity of what GO See The City could be. Frankly, he helped me grow into my role as a full-time entrepreneur,” Aneshai said. 

Some of the key milestones David helped Aneshai focus on included developing a strategic plan, creating a go-to-market strategy, and paying herself a salary—transforming her entrepreneurial mindset in the process. 

In May 2023, Aneshai launched GO See The City after winning a competition from QBE AcceliCITY. It’s one of the Top 5 GovTech accelerators in the world and this recognition was a significant milestone for her business. GO See The City became a food waste reduction company that partners with eateries—such as restaurants, stadiums, festivals, and food trucks—to address food waste in two impactful ways: redirecting surplus food to nonprofits or selling it at a discount to customers before closing time. 

The company has expanded operations to three states, employs seven staff members, and has secured a prestigious spot in Techstars Tulsa. Techstars is a leading pre-seed venture capital firm that invests in a global pool of entrepreneurs and high-growth companies. It’s considered the world’s most active pre-seed investor. The accelerator provided a $120,000 investment to support GO See The City’s growth. 

For Aneshai, the experience is particularly meaningful as an African-American entrepreneur. Tulsa is historically significant as the site of “Black Wall Street,” a thriving Black business community in the 1920s that was tragically destroyed during the Tulsa Race Massacre. Her work and presence in Tulsa carry an added layer of pride and purpose. 

True to form, Aneshai continues to channel David’s advice and shoot for the stars by seizing and maximizing every opportunity. And when she needs inspiration or motivation, she knows just where to turn. “Anytime I call, David is always there to offer a pep talk,” she laughed. 

The post Operation HOPE Helps This Entrepreneur “Think Bigger” appeared first on Operation HOPE.