We're all about outcomes. For example, rather than how many students graduate, we want to know how many graduates go on to earn a family-sustaining wage. The stories below highlight our commitment to achieving measurable outcomes.
"It allows me to focus more on school—I don't have to worry and stress about financial need. I can focus on my studies."
![A person wearing headphones and a patterned shirt faces the camera against a solid blue background.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/jotis-square-crop-2.png")
The New Jersey Pay It Forward stipend and emergency aid funds helped me focus on my classes and worry less. The no-interest loan helps me stay in the here and now, instead of worrying too much about the compounding interest I would have to pay in the future.
![HCCC program participant standing and smiling](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Copy-of-JJ_111422_00980-scaled-e1675961678652-994x1000.jpg")
The loan changed my situation a lot. I’m really glad there are people out there who believe in providing opportunities for DACA individuals.
![A young man in a burgundy sweater and tie.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ji-wan-son-dreamers.jpeg")
The course I took through Merit America was exactly what I needed to build on my existing skills and break through to a new career.
![Laura, a participant in Merit America's Google Career Certificates program, stands in front of a computer](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Untitled-design-2-1000x1000.png")
My case manager’s belief and confidence in me meant the world to me.
![Ventura County neighborhood](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/AdobeStock_126679610-scaled-e1668464339862-1000x1000.jpeg")
![American Diesel Training Center participants working inside of a truck.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/adtc-5-e1667932883281-1000x1000.jpeg")
![Mother little child holding hands walking in a grass field at sunset](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AdobeStock_303932013-1000x667.jpeg")
![A woman laying next to her newborn baby with a nurse caretaking in the hospital.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CTF1-1000x667.png")
We’re looking towards settling down, buying a house, doing the American Dream stuff. We’re just excited about our future.
![Cam, an ADTC participant, smiles at the camera in his gray jumpsuit uniform.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-01-at-6.55.22-AM-1000x845.png")
Zach from Behavioral Health came and said, 'Do you want to get out of here? I can help you.' And he did.
![Shane Home for Good Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/homeforgood-image-providence.org_-1000x667.jpg")
![A birds-eye view of Ventura County, CA with the city buildings in the foreground and the ocean in the background.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/RESOURCE-PAGE-2400-x-1066-13-1000x444.png")
I had an offer from a bus metro company almost a week before I even got to Ohio. That was the moment I knew: this is the real deal.
![Daniel Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Daniel-e1667846571120.png")
![A trimester pregnant woman holding her stomach.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/AdobeStock_181201921-1000x667.jpeg")
I’m a mom, I’m a wife, I’ve had several careers. But there are opportunities like this out there … [that] could really change your life.
![Loretta Thompson Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1675630773202.jpeg")
My experience was nothing but success. It allowed me to provide for my son and move into our own apartment. It made me hungry for more.
![Shaynise Hill headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Shaynise-Hill-e1671550710943-1000x1000.jpg")
![Bill B, ADTC Career Impact Bond Student](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/bill-barber-e1667312667144-1000x1000.webp")
Every day I wake up and I can’t believe I’m here.
![Homero Coss Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Homero-Coss-Dreamres-1000x1000.jpeg")
![A person with long dark hair, wearing a white shirt and a headset, smiles in front of a solid blue background.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/melanie-hawaii-2.png")
![Paul ACL Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screen-Shot-2022-11-10-at-2.10.52-PM-1000x705.png")
![Alice Home for Good Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/alice.png")
This was a chance to turn things around and be part of something that will hopefully help others.
![Mechanician changing car wheel in auto repair shop](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/AdobeStock_80339312-scaled-e1670621265408-1000x1000.jpeg")
![Ismeilyn headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2022-11-16-at-8.49.04-AM.png")
Things for me have changed a lot since I graduated...I was able to purchase a home. I now have the work life balance I’ve always been striving for.
![Dimitra Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Dimitra-1000x1000.jpeg")
![A mountain range over the Anchorage, AK skyline.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_45911515-scaled-1.jpg")
My nurse was there for me every step of the way. I could text her when I was feeling down, and she was always there.
![Taquana holding her toddler son, smiling in black and white.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022_ZyAire_Taquana_Kenyetta_SC_17-e1669065532822.jpg")
![2021 ACT Summit participants holding certificates](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021-ACT-Summit-image-3-e1668466450189.png")
![A group of soldiers standing in front of an american flag.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AdobeStock_220853283-1000x696.jpeg")
The Career Impact Bond was really important—if that wasn't available, I wouldn't have been able to do the program.
![Devon, Alchemy Lab Participant](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Devon_ALC-e1670620957963-1000x750.png")
![Teacher with face mask welcoming children back at school after lockdown.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AdobeStock_374190228-1000x667.jpeg")
