"When I first joined the Ownership Empower Program in Cohort 1, I didn’t finish because life got in the way and I could not stay focused. When I came back for Cohort 2, I was in a different place and ready to give it my all — and I am so glad I did. Sharifa taught us practical things that really work, like ‘Find $100’ and the Snowball Savings method. I actually found $100 I didn’t realize I had, and I used what I learned to pay off three long-standing debts. It feels so good to finally be debt-free. I can’t say enough about Sharifa. Her tone, her encouragement, and the way she taught kept me motivated. She made the sessions feel safe and real, like I could be honest about my struggles without being judged. As a single parent who has struggled for years, this program gave me the tools and confidence I needed to move toward financial stability. I finally feel in control of my money and my future. And the best part is knowing that if I ever feel stuck, I can always reconnect with the program for support. This experience truly changed my life — there’s no turning back now.” — Ownership Empower Graduate, Cohort 2 Diane James