Our volunteer coaches are the heart of Women’s Money Matters’ unique programs. More than workshops, our programs match participants with dedicated mentors who commit to a full three months of connection, support, and encouragement. We have profound gratitude for the thoughtful, consistent care demonstrated by our volunteer coaches. As part of a monthly series, we’re highlighting several outstanding coaches and giving them an opportunity to share their experiences with our wider community.
Thank you Angelina and Claudia!
Coaching and Community: Angelina and Claudia’s Story
When Claudia enrolled in the Financial Futures program in 2023, she “dove into the ocean of knowledge” with the support of her coach, Angelina. What began as a coaching relationship transformed into friendship. After the program ended, they stayed connected, and when the Road to Retirement program opened up, they jumped at the chance to work together again. Here’s their story.
Claudia:. In the beginning, I was nervous to be working with someone so knowledgeable, but then I saw it as a great opportunity to learn and grow. Outside of the environment of the WMM program, we always stayed connected about what was happening in our lives, always transmitting that positive vibe and mutual support. She has been checking my progress thoroughly, filling me with information and resources, and communicating with me constantly.
Through the program, I have improved my credit score. I have more tools to manage my financial life, and I made a new and extraordinary friend. Besides that, resting peacefully without debts is a beautiful privilege that I want to maintain.
It has been satisfying to be part of the WMM community, just the fact of meeting with different women who are struggling with financial issues and seeing how they are fighting to resolve, sharing experiences, and giving away advice on how to prevent others from doing the same, have caused a big impact on my perspective. And one of the things I have implemented in my daily life is the vision board, which helps me to follow and track my goals.
Angelina: Claudia and I hit it off immediately. She was very open and honest about what she wanted to learn and gain from the program and the coaching. Our personalities matched each other very well and we knew that we could share openly with one another. My first impression: I felt like we had been friends for a long time already. I was the lucky one who had someone who wanted to excel and learn as much as she could about money and education for her family…she was impressive.
We really became friends and stayed in contact with each other when the program ended. She had a child during our cohort and I felt like a big sister giving her advice along the way. We developed a relationship of trust and admiration. We shared calls, texts, pictures, I sent articles and links with info I knew she would like, and we had a few virtual chats along the way since 2023. We encouraged one another often. When I learned about Road to Retirement, I quickly asked if she was interested in joining, and that led to us being paired together again. Yay!
Honestly, she inspires me! I feel like a proud big sister watching Claudia grow and take it all in. She always has a hunger for more knowledge and asks questions to gain better understanding. Seeing the progress that she’s made in the last 1.5 years makes me proud because she implements everything she’s learned yet still wants to learn more. I realize how valuable coaching is, and I want to see her achieve her goals and dreams.
She is the epitome of a star student, who is raising a baby, tending her home, was working full time until she had her baby, taking classes and getting certifications. She is determined to succeed, and nothing is going to stop her.
Advice for Other Coach-Participant Pairs
Claudia: “Be honest and sincere with yourself and those around you. Do not lose your naturalness and absorb as much knowledge as you can. Even if you already know things, there is always something new to learn and improve. Do not be afraid to dive into the ocean of knowledge, where you will not only learn how to build better and more secure economic well-being, but you will also create wonderful bonds of friendship.
Angelina: Always be honest and encouraging. Remember that we all face battles in this life. Listen and lift each other up with positive words and affirmations. The learning goes both ways, not just from Coach to Participant. The personal reward of giving back to other women is powerful. Making new friendships, learning new things from others, and just the joy of being part of such a wonderful group of women empowering one another is priceless.
