It was June 2020, during the height of the world’s global pandemic. Nieisha was feeling lost, scared, and uncertain about her future and the lives of her family’s future. Knowing that she wanted to be closer to her immediate family for the system of support. She packed everything she could in her car and left Arizona for Tacoma with her four children. Nieisha had done all she could to survive the pandemic but unfortunately ended up homeless after the long journey.

She called 211 and received a referral to the Adams Street Family Shelter along with her children. Nieisha knew that she needed to do something about her situation and gain financial education to sustain her family. She wanted to do better for herself and her children but did not know where to start. One day at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, Nieisha saw a flyer that read “Sign-up for a Sound Outreach Financial Counseling Session.” From that point on a new world of endless possibilities opened for Nieisha.

Working with the Hilltop Center for Strong Families (CSF), Nieisha started learning more about finances and how to leverage the money she could save, earn, and even borrow. Building and understanding credit and paying off debt is what helped fuel her passion for learning and striving to be financially stable. Through this work, Nieisha began to realize she had grown up with a Poverty Mindset – not knowing what was possible and where to begin.
Her coaches partnered with her to better equip herself and acquire the necessary tools no matter how complex her goals were. Sound Outreach helps clients like Nieisha understand and build a strong financial profile using market tools and products. After some time, Nieisha began to see the results of her work. She increased her credit score by over 200 points!

Nieisha now works for a non-profit that provides shelter and case management for young adults. She recently came back to Sound Outreach because of her previous time working with the CSF to ensure that the community she is working with has access to the same financial education and tools she once had.
In 2023, Nieisha reached another milestone goal. She moved into a five-bedroom house in a beautiful neighborhood that will be a great place for her children.