Paula Wilson’s journey with Operation HOPE is a story of determination and triumph over financial adversity. With a career spanning over 25 years as a self-employed professional, Paula faced the daunting reality of financial instability as she approached a major career transition.

“In June 2022, I pulled my credit report and was disheartened to see a score of 630,” Paula recalls. Despite her hard work and well-paying job, she realized that unchecked spending habits and the financial burden of supporting her family had taken a toll. “I was overwhelmed and couldn’t see where my money was going.”

Determined to turn her life around, Paula made a bold career change in 2019, which set the stage for her financial transformation. “After making a few difficult decisions and changing some habits, I could see a difference. I wanted to become a homeowner again,” she shares.

It was through friends that Paula discovered Operation HOPE. Despite initial reservations, she attended a seminar that would change her life’s trajectory. At the seminar, she met Lester Watt, a Financial Wellbeing Coach with HOPE Inside Memphis Bancorp South/Cadence Bank. Lester introduced her to fundamental financial literacy principles and strategies to rebuild and enhance her credit.

“Lester guided me on how to truly budget, how to re-establish my credit, and how to raise my credit score,” Paula explains. His coaching proved effective. By November 2022, just five months after beginning her journey with Operation HOPE, Paula was approved for a mortgage loan, reflecting a remarkable 56-point increase in her credit score to 686.

“Over the past year, Lester has not only helped me re-establish myself financially, but he has also led me to the beginning of the process to purchase a new home,” Paula beams. The guidance she received re-established her financial independence and sparked a renewed sense of drive and aspiration.

“I have regained a wealth of knowledge and am on my way to fulfilling one of my many dreams,” she says. Paula’s story is a powerful testament to the impact of Operation HOPE’s Credit and Money Management program, showcasing how expert guidance and personal resilience can lead to significant life changes. Thanks to the support from Lester and Operation HOPE, Paula is now poised to embrace a future filled with possibilities and stability.