Aug 24 / OEO Staff

Thrive Virginia's Whole Family Client Overcame Challenges to Put Her Family First

For families under financial pressure, the Whole Family Approach (WFA) is truly an answer to prayers. De’Monica Daniel recalls finding the support from the program in 2020, while she was out on maternity leave. “At that time, I had just found out that I had been misdiagnosed for the past year for the incorrect autoimmune disorder and was finally receiving the treatments that I needed,” she remembers. “Then Covid turned the world into a pandemic, I became a new mom of two, and was bonding with my newborn.”
As the head of the household in a family of five, De’Monica says that this precious time with her family became even more stressful due to financial issues. She explains, “My job will excuse a person for maternity leave, but I had already used a lot of leave for my autoimmune condition.” That's when she found out about Project Thrive’s WFA program. “My first impression of the program was that I had the support that I needed. I knew that with the program’s help, I didn’t have to stress and could relax and enjoy my bonding time with my new baby and son,” she says.

Project Thrive assigned a coach to work with De’Monica to get a handle on her finances. Through the program, they helped her pay rent for a few months, easing the pressure during those critical first few months with her newborn and son. “My goals were to gain savings, pay off medical debt, and pay off my car,” she says. With the help of the program, De’Monica was able to achieve all of those goals! The financial assistance also relieved stress which, with De’Monica’s medical condition, would have been detrimental to her physical health.

De’Monica says that the WFA has courses that have helped her with credit management. “I wanted to move beyond generational habits. I want more for my children than I had,” she says. She reflects that growing up in a household of five, her family didn’t talk about credit, money management, or any other financial issues.

The WFA was truly comprehensive assisting her at times with food, fuel and even diapers and wipes through a special program at a local church. Her coach also made sure that she was informed of school supply and clothing drives in her area. She recalls, “When it came to car repairs and the convenience of not having to wait in a lobby for hours with two kids, a mobile car service even came to my house. That is spectacular!”

One of most unique and effective features of the WFA is the relationship between the coaches and the families they serve. “Every one of the coaches were very supportive emotionally and financially," says De'Monica. "I feel as though I can talk to them and not be judged.” She expresses her gratitude to those coaches saying, “I want to thank all of the people who supported me, first of all for Mr. George, who passed away suddenly, who initially motivated and supported me to set goals. Also, Carla Clake, Angela Crawley, Liz Brown and Alva Cutler. You all will hold a special place in my heart for helping me to be the best mom and supporter I can be to my children.”