After taking on more financial responsibility at home, Travis Bryant wanted support to be able to improve his financial wellbeing. In 2017, while employed at a Goodwill retail store, he started working with a mission coach. Goodwill Mission Coaches work with employees at over 110 sites on life goals and barrier removal, ensuring that they have the resources they need to be successful.

For the next three years, Travis worked with several mission coaches to create a budget and a plan to improve his credit score. Alongside those broader goals, he opened a credit card, paid off debts and worked to increase his savings. With the tools and guidance from his coach, Travis was able to raise his credit score over 100 points. With his improved credit, he could acquire transportation with the help of a cosigner. His efforts led to him being recognized with the Goodwill HERO Award for great strides in his financial wellness.

By the time he needed a new vehicle, he could purchase a new car on his own thanks to his elevated credit score. At its highest, Travis’s credit score was just over 800, an improvement of over 300 points. Moreover, he could afford to live on his own, without a roommate.

“It feels incredible,” said Travis. “When you start a journey like that, it feels like the goalpost is so far away. So once you start tackling those goals, it almost becomes second nature.”

While working on his financial goals with his mission coach, Travis also excelled professionally. He earned promotions and greater responsibility at his site. With the expansion in his role and his newfound financial confidence, he could leave a second job that he had for seven years. Eventually, he pursued a new adventure outside of retail and earned a position as a Goodwill Mission Coach.

“I realized how much direct help that coaches give and knew that’s what I wanted to do,” said Travis.

Now, as a mission coach, he meets with other Goodwill employees, helping them budget, plan and reach life-altering achievements.

“I think the best part of my job is when I can see an immediate positive impact on someone I’m working with,” said Travis. “I like seeing the real positive impact that mission coaching has on the people that we serve.”

This May, Travis will be graduating Ivy Tech with a technical certificate in business administration and a certificate in human resources management. He wants to continue his education and earn an associates degree in business administration with a specific focus in HR.

Each year, April is observed as Financial Literacy Month, a time to focus on budgeting, saving and building a bright financial future. At Goodwill, we care for our employees holistically, ensuring that each person has access to the tools to reach their full potential in all areas of their lives, including financial literacy and wellness.

If you’re interested in joining Goodwill, visit our careers page.