>> Major funding for "Opportunity Knock$" is provided by the National Council for Financial Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and creating economic mobility by breaking down systematic barriers, increasing equitable access to capital, and making opportunity accessible to all.

Its programmatic areas of focus include financial resiliency, financial accessibility, and income adequacy.

Additional funding provided by Balance, a national nonprofit financial-counseling agency... and by Callahan & Associates, which facilitates collaboration between financial cooperatives.

Previously on "Opportunity Knock$"... >> I want this transportation business and get off of Section 8.

>> Are all the credit cards maxed out?

>> I got like $20 available on one of them.

>> There's nothing about poverty that you appreciate.

I didn't grow up with means.

>> We've made a lot of progress since we first started dating a million years ago.

But how do we make our money grow?

>> You just want the American dream, right?

>> Yeah.

However, I'm not a U.S. citizen.

>> Fight the fear and go for it, Patricia.

>> Every day, millions of Americans must make the choice between rent and food.

"Opportunity Knock$" has matched three expert coaches with six struggling families to give a personalized financial experience that even you can benefit from.

Through this journey, we will see that the American dream is possible with the right advice.

Will the obstacles they face prove to be too much for these six families or will the coaches help them open the door when opportunity knocks?

♪ ♪ >> [ Sighs ] The door.

>> [ Chuckles ] >> Nervous, nervous, nervous.

Nervous, nervous, nervous, and excited.

Let's go.

We're about to head into another meeting with Kimberly Appleton, and I want to say that I'm proud of just the few things that we have done right, because it's better than the zero things we have been doing.

>> Hi.

Welcome back.

>> Hello.

>> Yes.

>> You guys have done so much for us.

You know with the consolidation and.

>> We've made deals before.

It's been an adjustment.

>> Yeah, we've been paying on time and just excited about that, you know?

>> Wow.

Well, that's what we want to hear.

And how about all those credit cards?

Did y'all get to cut all of them up?

>> I did, yes, definitely.

>> We cut the credit cards up.

>> And you know what?

Let me just tell you this -- it does pay off.

>> Yeah.

>> Because I got some infor-- You know, I always have some news for you.

You know what I'm saying?

And I try to keep it good news.

>> Right.

>> 'Cause y'all are great people, you know?

And already I understand your credit score's now -- we looked over your data, and your credit scores have gone up over 40 points already.

>> Already.

>> That's phenomenal.

>> Yes, that is amazing.

>> That's life-changing.

>> I've been trying for so long, and I've been a part of programs for years that didn't come close to 20 points.

And just to be with Pelican this short time to see such a drastic improvement, that's the shock.

>> Well, that brings us to some even bigger news that I have for you two.

I'm so excited, y'all.

I could barely sleep last night.

Literally.

>> Wow.

>> This is exciting.

Y'all ready for this?

>> Yes, yes.

>> All right.

Awesome.

With everything you guys have done, you know, consolidating your debts, not going back, you know, and using those credit cards and stacking up those balances again, you're an example to the ministry, being great parents and examples to your children.

And, hey, Pelican State is going to help you be an even greater example as a couple.

Pelican State would like to extend a pre-approval for mortgage.

>> Oh, wow!

>> Yeah.

>> That is incredible.

>> I'm so excited.

I know.

It's like... >> Drop that in my lap.

Like, we were just doing good with just a few steps.

>> That is awesome!

>> Yeah.

>> I'm speechless.

I'm speechless because, I mean, I didn't know how we would ever own a home again because I knew our situation.

You know, it's like Pelican threw out a lifeline to us.

God really gave us a second chance, and it was through Pelican.

Thank you.

>> You're very welcome.

>> I do appreciate it.

Thank you so much.

Bless you.

>> You guys enjoy the rest of your day.

>> You too.

>> Thank you.

Wow!

Oh, that's so amazing.

>> How do I survive all of this excitement?

>> [ Laughs ] ♪ ♪ >> I'm really excited to talk to a mentor that actually has been successful at this because all of my friends in the classroom, it's like we're all consumers of Teachers Pay Teachers, but we don't -- like, no one that I know is really successful at selling.

I don't know if this mentor is going to help me, but I'm excited to be able to talk to somebody who is successful at it and then determine if she passes the vibe check.

>> Benefit of the doubt, I don't think The Opportunity Finder tool would really, like, lead us astray here.

So I just feel like this mentor is gonna... >> Be down for the cause?

>> Be down and really, like, give you some some excellent pointers.

>> Okay.

Because if she's not and then I ever see her at a Pride event... >> [ Laughs ] >> ...it'll be difficult.

All right, my meeting's coming up.

>> Good luck.

>> Thank you.

All right.

>> Hello.

>> Hi!

How are you?

I'm just renaming myself.

Sometimes it takes a teacher who was working virtually to, like, do a Zoom hack.

>> Oh, yeah.

One day, I had to work with 22 third graders live on Zoom.

I get it.

>> Oh, you teach third grade, too?

>> Yes, I'm a third gra-- Are you third grade?

>> Yeah.

>> Okay.

Okay, awesome.

So we have that in common.

That's great.

>> Yeah.

>> So, I heard you -- you need some help with your Teachers Pay Teachers.

Is that correct?

>> Yes.

>> Tell me about your store.

When did you start it, and what did you decide to sell?

>> So, I started my store last summer, and I called it Teaching Rainbow Allies because I was trying to focus on LGBTQ history and making it accessible for K-5 learners.

But I also know that it's very hard for teachers to have these conversations with children without -- with so much fear behind it.

I think -- like, I also think about, like, my own kid going into school and, like -- like, how -- like, if she is gonna feel like, "Oh, my family's not here," if that makes sense.

So I think it was -- I think becoming a mom, like, made it more real for me.

>> Well, you know, I think everything that you're saying is one, so powerful and so meaningful, and thank you for wanting to be that bridge for teachers to talk about these topics.

And whether it's about LGBTQ or even about divorced families or seeing a child being able to see themselves in what they're learning is something that's so, so, so important.

So the first thing I have to say, from educator to educator is, thank you.

I appreciate how brave you are.

>> Sarah, who is my mentor for Teachers Pay Teachers, she is passing the vibe check.

She totally agreed that all kids need to be able to see themselves in their classroom or their families represented in their classroom and was just totally behind the store.

But I have to say, Sarah, that, like, I'm not a designer by background, and the only thing that -- like, I'm -- I'm a Teachers Pay Teachers consumer.

>> And that means you know the money's there, right?

You want to be buying their products.

And you know you can -- if you brand it the right way and you create the right projects, you know and I know, as well, that teachers will buy them, and you can make a good amount of cash on Teachers Pay Teachers.

>> If you don't mind me asking, how much have you made?

>> I have made almost $6,000.

>> Oh, my God!

Good for you.

I'm so excited that Sarah has a really successful store that she started in 2020 and has already made thousands of dollars, because I feel like I don't need to give up Teachers Pay Teachers or the store and that it doesn't just have to be a hobby.

Thank you so much.

It was so nice to meet you.

>> It was nice to meet you, too.

I hope you have a good rest of your day.

>> All right.

Bye, Sarah.

>> Bye.

>> All right.

♪ ♪ >> So, how do you think my parents are going to react when we tell them?

>> I think they'll be -- I think they'll be very pleased for us... >> Oh, yeah.

>> ...that it can happen on a much quicker timeline than any of us thought.

Jan and Phil are exceptional at making good food and food that they like.

So the intent here isn't to try to impress them with our culinary ability.

It's the gesture and the words of gratitude are going to be the most important.

>> What's all this?

>> We wanted to make you guys dinner.

We wanted to say thank you.

>> Well, look, this is really nice.

Oh, my goodness!

>> And we also have news to share.

>> Yes.

So -- >> Are you pregnant?

[ Laughter ] >> That is always your first question.

Always.

Go ahead and sit down, and we'll get started.

It was really nice that when Jared and I felt like we needed to transition in our life at a certain point in time, for me to backpedal from work and for Jared to change careers and what that would mean for us financially... >> Mm-hmm.

>> ...I knew that we had a space we could go to because of the pattern that you guys have set up and the love I've felt my whole life from both of you.

And what I've seen, your open hearts and open home constantly.

And not just that you provide a space for us to -- to be, but you also give us support to help us move on and do other stuff because you want us to succeed.

Sincerely, thank you for giving us that space.

Thank you for giving us this time to be with family and to make a plan so that we could achieve the next step in our family's journey.

>> Making me cry, babe.

[ Both laugh ] >> Thank you.

This is a -- a small gesture, token of appreciation.

>> You know, our goal all along was to help you guys grow, develop, and prepare for the future.

>> We just want you to be successful and happy.

That's all.

>> We feel that.

We feel that, too.

We feel that.

To me, what seems the most exciting, because Jared is a veteran, we have the opportunity to do a V.A.

loan.

But then, after meeting with Karen, the credit union, she was able to help us understand that V.A.

loan offers 100% financing.

This program at the credit union, they also offer 100% financing.

In addition, they have a down-payment assistance program, and we get $10,000 to put towards a down payment.

>> Wow.

>> That's wonderful.

>> Which means the entire purchase of a home, we wouldn't have to pay anything out of pocket.

>> This is really exciting for you, but it's -- it's fun for us, too.

>> So as Jared and I have taken this journey to more seriously understand our finances, to meet with Jean, to meet with the credit union, and to make a realistic plan for getting into a home, as we're sharing all of that with them, I could almost see it in their face and in their eyes, they're thrilled.

Not so much that it's happening but that we've done it.

They respect that, and they find that -- and they're thrilled that we're taking those steps to -- to do it for ourselves.

We're glad you guys like it.

>> So, can we pack your bags tonight?

[ Laughter ] ♪ ♪ >> What are we doing here?

>> Don't worry.

It's a surprise.

>> Hello.

>> Hello, hi.

Checking in.

So, I've been working so hard, been doing so much homework, so much running around to -- you know, to try to jumpstart this business.

The kids have been so supportive.

They've been with me every step of the way.

So, after, you know, racking my brain, trying to figure out what I could do for these kids to show them I appreciate their support, I decided to have a nice pool party at the hotel for the night.

So, you know I've been working with Patrice.

>> Yeah.

>> And I've been doing all the homework she's been giving me.

>> Yeah.

>> I went to my CDFI.

I did a lot of research.

I spoke to Hendi and finally applied for that business loan.

>> Oh!

>> Yes.

Y'all played a part in it.

Hopefully, after this business, our next step would be... >> Our own house.

>> Our own house.

I want to own my own home and get that better vehicle for myself and take trips with the kids.

>> Marco!

Marco!

>> Pizza!

>> Special delivery!

>> Dad!

>> Dad, you're here?

>> They didn't know about one extra little surprise that I had planned for them.

The pizza guy is their dad.

>> Congratulations.

>> Come get some pizza.

>> Come get some pizza.

>> I love to see my kids happy.

I love to see them smiling, enjoying themselves.

It makes me feel good.

>> So, how is it going so far, Michelle?

>> It's been going great.

My coach, you know, been hooking me up, leading me to the road for success.

Finding my coach and finding the people at the CDFI, I felt like they're going to make sure I have the tools, and if not, they're going to tell me the way to get the tools.

And by them helping me, I'm able to pass it down to my kids so my kids won't have to grow up not knowing, since I'm here to let them know from the start.

We all got big changes going on.

They're going to high school.

And -- I mean, we are being good partners.

Next time I see Patrice, I'm ready to tell her, "Listen, honey, do your grandma need a ride?

It's here.

Check out my van outside."

>> Yes.

>> Yes.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> So we've got to make sure that there's spots for people to sit for the party.

>> Mine.

>> [ Laughs ] >> We haven't had people over in a really long time.

[ Knock on door ] [ Both gasp ] Maven, who is it?

Oh!

>> Maven!

>> It's Uncle Beard!

>> Oh, hi, Mave!

>> [ Laughs ] >> You say hi!

>> Hi, Mave!

>> Hi, guys!

>> And we're excited to share with them all the progress we've made.

Thanks for coming over, guys.

>> Yeah.

>> Just, like, overall, we feel like we haven't seen you guys in forever.

We've been on a financial journey.

[ Laughter ] We've been getting our money right and tight.

>> Yeah.

So we'll be able to do more fun things in the summer and stuff like -- >> Like come to the beach.

>> Yeah, and come to the beach.

Because we've been talking to the financial coaches, a counselor who goes through all of your stuff.

And so then you have to explain why -- [ Laughter ] >> I met with a career coach... >> Tell us.

>> ...to talk about a future career.

>> How was that change?

>> It was good.

It's scary.

>> Wait.

You're gonna, like, look for a new job?

>> Yeah, look for a new job.

>> Outside of social work?

>> Well, it could be social work.

What's going to bring home more money?

What's, like, gonna be, like, most beneficial for our family?

>> Wait, so how did you find, like, a coach or counselor or whatever -- whatever you call it?

>> So, we used this tool online called The Opportunity Finder tool, and it's, like, a website where it shows -- like, you type in your zip code and then there's like a bunch of boxes you can click for, like, what your needs are.

So there's like career counseling, which I clicked, we did financial counseling.

>> So, like, budgeting?

>> Yeah.

>> And then there's, like, literally everything under the sun.

>> Like, if you're, like, buying a house or, like -- >> Oh.

>> There was, like, tons of things.

>> Tons of things you could click.

And so we use the tool to find our financial counselor.

We got a coach as part of our journey.

Her name is Jean Chatzky.

She's, like, so awesome.

>> Yeah.

And she pulled out her laptop, and she started taking notes.

>> Did she make you feel guilty?

>> No.

>> That is -- That is exactly what we were scared of was like, "Oh, no, she's gonna read us to filth."

[ Laughter ] But she was like, "No, you have a lot of good things going on, and let's take care of this other stuff."

>> Yeah.

>> And I think, like -- I feel like I internalized, like, "I'm poor."

>> Yeah.

No, I'm just like, "I can never buy a house."

>> And she -- when she, like, talked about our household income, she was like, "There's enough money here."

>> "So what's happening?"

>> [ Laughs ] >> "So what's happening?"

>> "Where's your money going?"

>> Yeah.

>> That was our homework, was to figure out where the money was going.

>> We had some, like, subscriptions that we weren't using.

You'd be like, "Okay.

Here's $10 a month that we can just, like, wipe out," you know?

>> They do add up.

Like, I mean, you always go through, seems like, "Oh, $4.99 a month," and now I'm like, "Yeah, we just spent, you know, $10.99 a month on another subscription."

>> $4.99 is nothing, but I guess, at the end of the year... >> Yeah, it's like, "You have a fitness app and a gym membership," and so it's like, "One of those things..." It's true.

But she like, gave us her number and she was like, "Call me, text me."

And we were like... >> Okay.

>> "Jean, careful what you say."

>> Yeah, how many times have you called her since then?

>> Yeah, like probably a thousand.

Hannah's also, like, doing this cool thing on Teachers Pay Teachers, which is an online store.

So she's creating an LGBTQ, like, curriculum.

>> Wait.

On what?

>> You build it, and then, like, you sell it to teachers.

>> Oh, like they buy your curriculum?

>> Yeah.

>> That's a nice little side, like... >> Yeah.

>> ...side piece.

>> Yeah, exactly.

>> Side hustle.

And, hopefully, like, it'll help like, pay down some of my student debt that I still have.

>> It's nice to be able to give them, like, the resources or The Opportunity Finder tool that they could use for their own financial journeys.

>> Well, this is awesome, guys.

I'm really -- We're all really happy for you.

>> Oh, thank you.

>> Cheers.

>> Thank you.

>> All right, refills.

[ Laughter ] ♪ ♪ ♪ >> So today is a very exciting day, a dream come true.

I'm going to have my very first art show, hosted by the CDFI.

>> How we doing, girl?

>> Hi.

How you doing, Rick?

Good to see you.

>> I want you to meet Max.

>> Hi, Max.

>> It's a pleasure to meet you.

>> It's a pleasure to meet you, as well.

>> And this is Alex.

This is the marketing gentleman that made all this possible.

>> Oh, my gosh.

I want to thank you so very much.

Thank you so very much.

This is exciting, emotional, and just unbelievable.

>> How you feel seeing your...?

>> It is -- It is a little bit surreal, a little bit unbelievable.

It's almost like I'm in a dream.

>> Well, it's beautiful.

>> Thank you.

>> Is this your first art show?

>> This is my very first art show, yes.

>> Impressive as you walk in here, right?

I mean, you just -- you're surrounded by beautiful art.

>> Oh, my gosh.

I've been wanting to have my own art show for many, many years.

Since 2013, I want to say.

>> So, this is Patricia.

She's the artist.

>> Very nice to meet you.

Thank you, thank you.

Enjoy.

>> So how do you get inspired, whatever painting you're painting?

>> Oftentimes it's more of a release of maybe something that I'm wanting to heal from, an emotion.

And rather than to let that flow out negatively, I'll just go on the canvas and allow that emotion to be more of a positive release.

I am walking around, answering questions about my art.

They all want to talk to me.

It's actually quite -- I don't even know how to express that.

I'm just so happy about it.

>> Yes, I spoke to you on the phone.

>> This is Sonya Gomez.

>> You're so lovely.

>> And this is Carla Patino.

>> Oh, yes, I remember.

You guys are so gracious and so patient.

[ Chuckles ] >> So, Patricia, how much am I gonna get for being your agent?

[ Laughter ] >> People are enjoying their time.

They are taking it all in.

But the one thing that I want to take from this experience is that I hope that it inspires others to follow their dreams and to connect with her inner creative.

>> How does this feel?

>> Oh, it feels amazing.

It feels amazing.

All the hard work paid off.

>> Were you intimidated by having all these people looking at your work, like, as you were kind of thinking of doing this?

>> Yes.

Yes.

I was so filled with anxiety.

>> Yeah.

>> Because I come from... You know... Talking to Max, the C.E.O., he's just absolutely beautiful.

I love sharing with him my stories.

So when I was speaking to the coaches, it was like, "Patricia, you have to break through that."

I was so very grateful for him helping me through that.

It is absolutely amazing that they let me put my artwork up.

♪ And I didn't think it would be that easy, to be honest with you.

You just have to ask.

I want to thank every single one of you that made this happen and that are here today.

It is a dream come true for me.

Really, it is.

And if you are enjoying all the colors and the emotions and the feeling, that's exactly what I wanted.

And so thank you so very much.

The artwork that you see here is all available for purchase.

So thank you.

[ Applause ] ♪ I did sell some prints.

I did.

And I got a lot of interest in the originals.

I'm gonna be getting some phone calls.

All the colors in the peacock, they're my favorite.

♪ >> Next time on "Opportunity Knock$"... >> We'll bring each of you in for a checkup and see how you've been doing.

>> So have you actually made the move?

>> What was going on with your house?

>> Oh, the home was very distressed.

>> Your parents aren't here, Lauren, so we can have this -- we can have this conversation.

>> What did they talk about?

>> Was it scary to let go of Section 8?

>> Yes.

>> I don't want to take care of the world, and then I couldn't take care of my own house.

>> Mm.

>> Major funding for "Opportunity Knock$" is provided by the National Council for Financial Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and creating economic mobility by breaking down systematic barriers, increasing equitable access to capital, and making opportunity accessible to all.

Its programmatic areas of focus include financial resiliency, financial accessibility, and income adequacy.

Additional funding provided by Balance, a national nonprofit financial-counseling agency... and by Callahan & Associates, which facilitates collaboration between financial cooperatives.