Economic Growth United States Project #61496

Help Enable 50 adults to achieve their dreams

by Partners in Change

Help Enable 50 adults to achieve their dreams

Project Report | Jan 27, 2025
TWO PIC GRADUATES SHARE THEIR STORIES

By Kathleen Bryant | Chief Operating and Engagement Officer

PIC Grad Sparkle Cotton Tells Her Story

Partners in Change was thrilled to welcome over 130 PIC community members and friends to our Celebrate and Connect event on Dec. 7, 2024. Two wonderful PIC graduates spoke at the gathering about the personal impact their PIC coaching partnership had on their lives and their sense of self.

Below are highlights from their speeches. Their sincere reflections bring to life the power of your heartfelt gifts to Partners in Change.

PIC Graduate Sparkle Cotton, Speaking of her Experience with her PIC Coach Scott Doyne:

"At the time that I learned about Partners in Change, I was going through a devastating life change. I was paralyzed and very afraid to put one foot in front of the other.

Little did I know that this would be the most transformative experience of my life.

Whenever I would had a challenging moment, my coach Scott would be there to push me. There were times where he’d just sit there and listen to me with no judgement. That really meant a lot.

Throughout my meetings with Scott my confidence grew, my communication skills improved tremendously, as well as my self-worth. I now have a newfound perspective in life and I know my value.

What I now know for certain is that I’m free to be me any given moment. I have a sense of self-security, a sense of self-love. I now affirm my own worth and trust my own abilities and my judgement. I set boundaries when needed. I am even more empowered to take charge of my own destiny and I create agency.

When I started on this journey I was jobless. I eventually started working a part-time job and now I’m working a full-time job with benefits. I have completed trainings that have set me on the path to becoming a daycare owner.

Success is in knowing that once I’ve accomplished a goal, I feel that the success is in what I’ve learned, the experience I’ve gained, not what I have to show for it.

My proudest accomplishment is that I am now a public speaker and I’m a life coach! I now get to help someone who’s on their own journey to self-discovery."

PIC Graduate Michelle Tiller, Speaking about her Experience with her PIC Coach Cynthia Culbreath:

"I just want to say that Partners in Change is the only matchmaking service that I’ve ever been successful with.

I was probably the worst partner my Coach has probably had! Because I was all over the place. I had all kinds of ideas of all the things I could do…She helped me tone it down and commit and come up with some SMART goals.

I graduated last year. But I’m not gonna lie. I haven’t let them go. I still reach out to Partners in Change. I’ve invited them to our school to talk to our students because I realize the benefits that come from being in programs such as this.

I was introduced to Partners in Change through my school. I was embarrassed to be in school in my 40’s. I was a three-time college dropout…You can have all the confidence in the world on the outside. But on the inside, your insecurities, your inner battles can get you.

This program was an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone, to talk to someone who wasn’t in my head saying “hey girl, uh uh girl don’t do that.” So Cynthia was the one to say “go do it! And if you don’t do it, allow yourself some grace. Don’t beat yourself up so much."

I’m human. I’m not perfect. And I’m coachable. I don’t believe that I’m too old to listen to good advice. And that’s what Cynthia did for me. She didn’t make my goals for me. She didn’t tell me what I needed to do.

I now know you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.

If only there was a PIC Member loyalty punch card. I would have lots of punches, because I want to know how I can sign up again. And then I want Cynthia, so she can see how well I’m doing."

PIC Grad Michelle Tiller Speaks at our Event

PIC Grad Sparkle Cotton & her Coach Scott Doyne

Michelle Tiller & her PIC Coach Cynthia Culbreath

Links:

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Sep 30, 2024
YOUR GIFTS CONTINUE TO ENABLE POWERFUL PERSONAL GROWTH

By Kathleen Bryant | Chief Operating and Engagement Officer

Member Kimberly (L) and Coach CJ enjoy a visit!

Relationships open doors for all of us to grow. As Partners in Change celebrates its 500th coach pairing, we reflect upon the abundant gratitude shared by both Members and Coaches for their experiences together. PIC coaching partnerships have moved all our participants to take chances, develop new talents, and push forward, knowing their partner is there for them on the other side.

We thank each of YOU for creating the space for these transformations to happen. It is only through your PIC gifts that our PIC team is able to develop, support, and multiply these growth opportunities.

Here are three more stories of meaningful transitions to celebrate together!

KIMBERLY BUILDS CONNECTIONS AND HER BUSINESS

Kimberly's PIC goal with her Coach CJ was to launch her new health service business and best use the space she is renting. She says CJ has helped her build her networking skills and explore how her space could benefit others and be a source of income. Kimberly now has multiple retainers with other businesses subletting her space and is hosting events introducing visitors to her company and to all the services she and her partners offer. Kimberly also gained a contract job to keep her finances where she wants until her business is fully developed.

SANTRISE STRETCHES HER VOICE AND HER REACH

Santrise has made significant strides since joining Partners In Change. With the support and encouragement of her PIC Coach Rosanne, her confidence and security as an Evangelist and Motivational Speaker have flourished. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Santrise has not only overcome obstacles but has also exceeded expectations on her to-do list. As a testament to her growth and ambition, she now is preparing the launch of a blog, San’s Corner, this fall!

MERRIAM ACHIVES HER PROFESSIONAL AND HEALTH GOALS

Merriam entered PIC wanting to switch careers and be more consistent with exercise. She had been working in a daycare but wanted to become a trainer of other teachers. Her PIC Coach, Linjalynn, gave Merriam constant encouragement and convinced Merriam to call her whenever she wanted to talk. Their bond grew, as did Merriam’s confidence in social situations and in achieving what she wants. Merriam began networking and recently accepted a job as a specialist implementing programs for teachers. She also now regularly walks most days of the week.

PIC Member Santrise is shining bright!

Member Merriam is excited about her new direction!

Links:

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May 31, 2024
YOUR SUPPORT IS BRINGING DREAMS TO LIFE

By Kathleen Bryant | Chief Operating and Engagement Officer

Muriel's nonprofit is official!

Greetings to our Partners in Change donor community! As you know, when community members begin their coaching partnerships with PIC, they bring with them powerful dreams and the talent and determination to achieve them. Often, the only missing element is an accountability partner - that person who wants to hear everything about your idea, who believes wholeheartedly in it and in you, and who holds you hold to the commitments you make to yourself.

Thanks to your generous support, Partners in Change Members are working weekly with their committed coaching partners to bring their dreams to life. PIC Member dreams are diverse and meaningful. Here are just a few of the many goals made real in recent months:

Serving Those in Need -

It has been a long-time dream of PIC Graduate Member Muriel to make a difference in the lives of others. Muriel recently shared with the PIC community that she has reserved the name for her new nonprofit - Sources of Light! Muriel is excited to have formalized her organization and is “eager to collaborate and join partnerships with others who share the same passion to provide people with necessary resources and make a positive impact in their lives.”

College Success –

PIC Member Christina struggled in her early 20s to succeed in college. When she ran out of financial aid she needed to put her education aside. When Christina learned about PIC life coaching partnerships, she decided this was a way to recommit to herself and her dreams. Christina has soared, making the Dean’s list for the past two semesters as she pursues a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education at Rasmussen University. Christina plans to continue earning good grades and to finish strong.

Strengthening a Business –

PIC Member Dawn was committed to grow her project management business. She decided the best way to do that was by building community – both for herself and her company. So she joined PIC to gain an accountability partner. Dawn welcomed her coach’s questions and encouragement as she explored opportunities to network and connect with other businesses. Dawn was thrilled to recently share that she has achieved certification as a Minority Business Enterprise by the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council! Her Minority Business Enterprise designation allows her to attend networking events and seminars and connect with potential clients or partners.

PIC donors, thank you for helping these and so many more dreams come true!

Christina is on Dean's List!

Dawn's business is MBE certified!

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