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
Merit America graduate![Laura, a participant in Merit America's Google Career Certificates program, stands in front of a computer]()
![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")
Merit America graduate
Impact Stories
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.
Photo courtesy of Jersey Pictures
After more than ten years of living outside and in shelters in Anchorage, Alice now has her own apartment
Alice
Home for Good participant![Alice Home for Good Headshot]()
![Alice Home for Good Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/alice.png")
Home for Good participant
[The Zero Percent Loan] allowed me to concentrate fully on my studies and gave me a cushion so I didn’t have to work constantly to make ends meet.
Tori
Per Scholas alumna![Person wearing a light blue collared shirt with dark braids, smiling, and posed against a plain background.]()
![Person wearing a light blue collared shirt with dark braids, smiling, and posed against a plain background.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tori-per-scholas.png")
Per Scholas alumna
As a result of this training, I now have a steady job that will lead to bigger things. I’m so proud, because it’s not just a job—it’s a career that I can use to look after myself and my son.
Stephanie
American Diesel Career Impact Bond graduate![Stephanie Reyes and her son taking a selfie.]()
![Stephanie Reyes and her son taking a selfie.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-03-at-8.53.28-AM-1000x774.png")
American Diesel Career Impact Bond graduate
I can see how the things I work on make people’s lives better.
Arthur
Merit America Graduate![A black and white photo of a man with glasses.]()
![A black and white photo of a man with glasses.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mac-Arthur-Sawyala-e1759340201410.jpg")
Merit America Graduate
I went from being in shelter to having my own apartment, vehicle, it's just insane. I have a pension, I have unlimited benefits, I'm in a union, I'm gonna be making $45 an hour in a few years, and its unstoppable.
Rob
Rob, Union HVAC Technician and Graduate of NYSERDA Training Provider, The HOPE Program![Person wearing a cap and a navy sweatshirt with a logo, smiling and looking away from the camera.]()
![Person wearing a cap and a navy sweatshirt with a logo, smiling and looking away from the camera.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/rob-e1732714437523.png")
Rob, Union HVAC Technician and Graduate of NYSERDA Training Provider, The HOPE Program
"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."
Jotis
University of Hawai'i at Manoa Engineering Student and Hawai'i Renewable Learning Fund Participant![A person wearing headphones and a patterned shirt faces the camera against a solid blue background.]()
![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")
University of Hawai'i at Manoa Engineering Student and Hawai'i Renewable Learning Fund Participant
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.
Eunice
New Jersey Pay It Forward Participant![HCCC program participant standing and smiling]()
![HCCC program participant standing and smiling](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Copy-of-JJ_111422_00980-scaled-e1675961678652-994x1000.jpg")
New Jersey Pay It Forward Participant
The loan helped with my finances, so I was able to focus on learning. I don’t know where I would be without it.
Dometrius
CO Pay It Forward participant![A group of people, including one with tattoos and glasses, stands in a workshop with various tools and equipment.]()
![A group of people, including one with tattoos and glasses, stands in a workshop with various tools and equipment.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DSC04904-scaled-e1726147122904-903x1000.jpg")
CO Pay It Forward participant
Students, especially the ones I work with, see themselves in me.
Jackie
Dreamers Graduate School Loan Recipient![A smiling woman wearing a graduation cap and gown raises her arms in celebration beside a tree.]()
![A smiling woman wearing a graduation cap and gown raises her arms in celebration beside a tree.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/lazaro-rodriguez-J2ujrQPhZgI-unsplash-1000x1000.jpg")
Dreamers Graduate School Loan Recipient
Everything here has opened up for me.
Allen
Learning Alliance Career Impact Bond Graduate![A man with a beard taking a selfie in a warehouse.]()
![A man with a beard taking a selfie in a warehouse.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_20230926_104919776-scaled-e1707936378710-948x1000.jpg")
Learning Alliance Career Impact Bond Graduate
The loan changed my situation a lot. I’m really glad there are people out there who believe in providing opportunities for DACA individuals.
Ji Wan
Dreamers Graduate Loan Program Participant![A young man in a burgundy sweater and tie.]()
![A young man in a burgundy sweater and tie.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ji-wan-son-dreamers.jpeg")
Dreamers Graduate Loan Program Participant
My case manager’s belief and confidence in me meant the world to me.
Johnny
Ventura County Project to Support Reentry participant![Ventura County neighborhood]()
![Ventura County neighborhood](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/AdobeStock_126679610-scaled-e1668464339862-1000x1000.jpeg")
Ventura County Project to Support Reentry participant
83% of ADTC Career Impact Bond graduates in the current investment are sponsored by employers
American Diesel Training Centers Career Impact Bond
![American Diesel Training Center participants working inside of a truck.]()
![American Diesel Training Center participants working inside of a truck.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/adtc-5-e1667932883281-1000x1000.jpeg")
New mom Jazmin realized her dream of going back to school with the help of home visiting program
Jazmin
Connecticut home visiting participant![Mother little child holding hands walking in a grass field at sunset]()
![Mother little child holding hands walking in a grass field at sunset](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AdobeStock_303932013-1000x667.jpeg")
Connecticut home visiting participant
More than $315,000 in outcomes payments to home visiting providers in Missouri for positive health outcomes achieved
Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri outcomes rate card
![A woman laying next to her newborn baby with a nurse caretaking in the hospital.]()
![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
American Diesel Training Centers Career Impact Bond graduate![Cam, an ADTC participant, smiles at the camera in his gray jumpsuit uniform.]()
![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")
American Diesel Training Centers Career Impact Bond graduate
Determining the costs of homelessness in Ventura County, California to optimize the use of public resources
Homelessness in Ventura County analysis
![A birds-eye view of Ventura County, CA with the city buildings in the foreground and the ocean in the background.]()
![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
American Diesel Training Centers Career Impact Bond graduate![Daniel Headshot]()
![Daniel Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Daniel-e1667846571120.png")
American Diesel Training Centers Career Impact Bond graduate
Helping a new mother in Ventura County, California achieve stability
Stella
Ventura County Project to Support Reentry participant![A trimester pregnant woman holding her stomach.]()
![A trimester pregnant woman holding her stomach.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/AdobeStock_181201921-1000x667.jpeg")
Ventura County Project to Support Reentry participant
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
United Way Miami Workforce Project graduate![Loretta Thompson Headshot]()
![Loretta Thompson Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1675630773202.jpeg")
United Way Miami Workforce Project graduate
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
Philadelphia Pay for Success graduate![Shaynise Hill headshot]()
![Shaynise Hill headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Shaynise-Hill-e1671550710943-1000x1000.jpg")
Philadelphia Pay for Success graduate
A $10,000 salary increase and a new career path
Bill
American Diesel Training Centers Career Impact Bond graduate![Bill B, ADTC Career Impact Bond Student]()
![Bill B, ADTC Career Impact Bond Student](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/bill-barber-e1667312667144-1000x1000.webp")
American Diesel Training Centers Career Impact Bond graduate
Every day I wake up and I can’t believe I’m here.
Homero
TheDream.US scholarship recipient![Homero Coss Headshot]()
![Homero Coss Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Homero-Coss-Dreamres-1000x1000.jpeg")
TheDream.US scholarship recipient
A $58,000 increase in salary for Paul, a graduate of the Alchemy Code Lab Career Impact Bond
Paul
Alchemy Code Lab Career Impact Bond graduate![Paul ACL Headshot]()
![Paul ACL Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screen-Shot-2022-11-10-at-2.10.52-PM-1000x705.png")
Alchemy Code Lab Career Impact Bond graduate
This was a chance to turn things around and be part of something that will hopefully help others.
Fred
Ventura County Project to Support Reentry participant![Mechanician changing car wheel in auto repair shop]()
![Mechanician changing car wheel in auto repair shop](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/AdobeStock_80339312-scaled-e1670621265408-1000x1000.jpeg")
Ventura County Project to Support Reentry participant
A recent immigrant, Ismeilyn learned English and landed her first job in the U.S. with the help of Massachusetts Pathways
Ismeilyn
Massachusetts Pathways to Economic Advancement participant![Ismeilyn headshot]()
![Ismeilyn headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2022-11-16-at-8.49.04-AM.png")
Massachusetts Pathways to Economic Advancement participant
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
Alchemy Code Lab Career Impact Bond graduate![Dimitra Headshot]()
![Dimitra Headshot](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Dimitra-1000x1000.jpeg")
Alchemy Code Lab Career Impact Bond graduate
95% reduction in shelter stays for Home for Good participants
Home for Good
![A mountain range over the Anchorage, AK skyline.]()
![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
South Carolina Nurse-Family Partnership participant![Taquana holding her toddler son, smiling in black and white.]()
![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")
South Carolina Nurse-Family Partnership participant
On average, American Diesel Career Impact Bond graduates are increasing their income by $16,600
American Diesel Training Centers Career Impact Bond
![2021 ACT Summit participants holding certificates]()
![2021 ACT Summit participants holding certificates](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021-ACT-Summit-image-3-e1668466450189.png")
Through Veterans CARE, nearly 60% of veterans with PTSD and/or military sexual trauma found competitive jobs
Veterans Coordinated Approach to Recovery and Employment (Veterans CARE)
![A group of soldiers standing in front of an american flag.]()
![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 Code Lab Career Impact Bond graduate![Devon, Alchemy Lab Participant]()
![Devon, Alchemy Lab Participant](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Devon_ALC-e1670620957963-1000x750.png")
Alchemy Code Lab Career Impact Bond graduate
Helped the State of Connecticut vaccinate 70% of its adult population
Connecticut Covid-19 Vaccine Delivery project
![Teacher with face mask welcoming children back at school after lockdown.]()
![Teacher with face mask welcoming children back at school after lockdown.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AdobeStock_374190228-1000x667.jpeg")
