>> Major funding for "Opportunity Knock$" is provided by the National Council for Financial Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and creating economic mobility by breaking down systematic barriers, increasing equitable access to capital, and making opportunity accessible to all.

Its programmatic areas of focus include financial resiliency, financial accessibility, and income adequacy.

Additional funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation, which seeks to strengthen historically marginalized communities by investing in pathways to economic advancement and generational wealth.

Additional funding for "Opportunity Knock$" provided by Balance... and Callahan & Associates.

♪♪ Previously on "Opportunity Knock$"... >> So, basically, paid two mortgages within eight days.

>> Yeah.

>> This is an emergency.

>> I'm exhausted all the time.

>> We got to move, and we have to move quickly.

>> You and your kids ever get any kind of therapy or counseling?

>> They don't have health insurance.

>> This pattern of spending money that you don't have is really going to have to change.

>> I immediately was like, "Failure."

>> This has to change.

>> Every day, millions of Americans must make the choice between paying rent... >> We're behind on rent.

>> We got to pay the mortgage.

>> ...Or buying groceries.

>> I live paycheck-to-paycheck, and sometimes that doesn't even cut it.

>> So, we got spaghetti with no meat.

>> Are you serious?

>> "Opportunity Knock$" is back with our three esteemed coaches and six new underestimated families to create a personalized journey... >> Are you going to do what I ask you to do?

>> ...that everyone watching can benefit from.

>> I'm just hopeful that I won't always be struggling.

>> Through these families' experiences... >> This is an emergency.

>> ...you will see that a better life is possible with the tools that they are provided.

>> And we're going to turn your life around like you have no idea.

>> Are the obstacles that these families are facing too much... >> Your mom is sick, too?

>> A loan that I obtained online -- interest rate is like 600-something.

>> What I'm seeing is almost 700%.

>> You're looking at bankruptcy.

>> ...or will their coaches help them open the door when opportunity knocks?

♪♪ ♪♪ >> I'm walking into Raiz Federal Credit Union right now, and I'm really hoping that they can help me come out of the situation that I'm in.

>> How can I help you, ma'am?

>> I have an appointment with Pearl Contreras.

>> Contreras?

Yes, ma'am.

She was expecting you.

Let me go and walk you over to her office, okay?

>> Okay.

I'm hoping that out of this meeting, Raiz can help me take charge of my credit cards, help me lower those interest rates.

>> Yes.

Hi.

>> Hello.

Hi.

I'm Nicole.

>> Hi, Nicole.

I'm Pearl.

>> Nice to meet you.

Go ahead and have a seat.

So tell me a little bit about yourself.

>> Well, my name is Nicole.

I'm 31 years old.

I have two kids.

I'm a single mom.

I work at my parents' auto shop.

I'm the receptionist there.

Hoping it's just a temporary placement for now until I can become a teacher.

Um, so I was looking into programs, but it's really expensive.

It's $7,000 to $8,000, and that's just something that I don't have.

>> Thanks for sharing, and thanks for telling me a little bit about yourself.

I'll go ahead and tell you a little bit about and about Raiz.

>> Okay.

>> And and you've come to the right place.

I just want to say that.

But Raiz is -- Of course, we're a credit union, right?

And the differences between credit unions and banks.

Banks are run and owned by outside shareholders and investors, versus the credit unions.

Credit unions don't have outside shareholders.

We have members, right?

Which is why, at a credit union, you're a member, and at a bank, you're a customer.

Raiz -- we are a CDFI, which stands for Community Development Financial Institution.

So, the difference with that is, it's a designation.

And it allows us to really serve the members and the people in our community that need assistance with their finances.

>> It feels great to know that at Raiz, I'm more of a member, rather than a client.

And it feels like they're going to be able to take care of me more than a bank would be able to.

>> I'm curious on how you heard about Raiz.

>> My coach, Louis, sent me to the Opportunity Finder to look for a CDFI and a credit union.

So, when I put in that I was looking for help with my credit-card debt, Raiz actually came up first.

Talking to Pearl, I feel like I am talking more to a friend.

She's so friendly, so knowledgeable, so nice.

She also gives a very comforting presence.

So I really do think talking to her is more of a friend, rather than a financial counselor.

>> So, I see from the application, you do have a lot of credit-cards open, and they are -- they are at high interest rates.

And so what we can do is see if we can consolidate those loans and those accounts that you have open so that you're paying one payment, made to Raiz now, once a month, versus several different minimum balance payments made to different creditors.

So, we're going to go ahead and process the application if you're okay with that.

>> Okay.

>> And we'll see if we can get you approved.

Sound good?

>> Yes.

>> Okay, perfect.

Thank you.

And I'll be right back.

>> Okay.

I'm a little nervous because I don't want her to say, "No, we can't help you, I'm sorry."

Because if they cannot help me, I don't know what I'm going to do.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Kind of nervous about going to see these people.

I'm not very knowledgeable about nonprofits.

And to have an expert tell me how we can get help, I'm super excited about it.

How are you doing?

>> Good morning.

I'm Glen.

>> Donnell Johns.

>> Nice to meet you.

>> This is my wife, Tanda.

>> Hi.

Tanda.

>> Nice to meet you.

Thank you for coming.

Y'all can take a seat right here.

>> It's in their name, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement.

That's what they do, is they help us advance our nonprofit.

And I'm looking forward to learning more about how they're going to help us advance Veterans Growing America.

>> Well, I'm glad you're here.

>> I wanted to talk to you a little more about the organization, the work that you're doing, and what we can do to help support you at the center.

But I also realize you all are both veterans.

>> Yes, I'm a veteran.

>> Okay.

>> I served 26 years in the United States Army.

>> I'm a veteran spouse.

>> I was just going to say.

[ Laughter ] >> So I did serve.

[ Laughs ] >> That's right.

But I'm super appreciative of all that you all have done and continue to do for the country.

So thank you for that.

>> Thank you.

>> The Center, we started in 1979, so we've been operating for 43 years.

We support about 800 nonprofit organizations.

There's so much that we can do to accelerate your process and your success so you're not, you know, jumping around from place to place.

And as you do that, it takes away from mission.

[ Laughter ] >> He's breathing.

>> Right.

>> We've been wanting this type of help but didn't know how to ask for the help.

And then.

when he said, "Wherever you are, we can help," I was like, "Where have you been?"

>> The first thing we would suggest and support you in is sort of building the model.

And then, just like a business model, your organization model and the way that you always operate as you think about expansion.

And having that evaluation is going to be helpful in raising additional funds.

We'll make some recommendations, as well.

Those recommendations will come with a timeline -- recruiting new board members, Board Match, et cetera -- to make sure that you're up and running as strong as you can possibly be.

>> Glen is a family member.

He is walking us through this process with such ease and such knowledge.

>> So y'all are in.

We're good.

We're ready to go.

>> [ Laughing ] Let's go, let's go.

>> Sounds great.

>> Rock 'n' roll.

>> They've been around since 1979.

Why doesn't everybody know about this?

Well, guess what?

They're going to know.

>> Oh, my goodness.

>> So, I'm super excited about... >> Oh, my God, that was so great.

>> The information that we got was unbelievable.

My veterans are going to know.

There's so many veteran nonprofits that need to hear about this.

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement can help them.

This is one more step closer to making our dreams come true, and the dreams of our members come true.

>> Yes.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Sorry.

That took a little bit.

So, we have good news for you.

>> Okay.

>> We were able to get you approved for up to $5,200, and that will cover some of those high-interest credit cards we were talking about.

So, we have two options for you.

The first one is a shorter term.

You'll be making a payment of $160 a month, which will save you about $100 a month.

>> Okay.

>> Okay?

The second option is one that goes a little longer, but that one, your payment will be $125 a month, and that one, you'd be saving close to $140 a month.

>> Okay.

I definitely needed this.

I needed it really bad for me and my kids, because I'm the only one able to financially provide for them because I'm a single mom, and I need to make sure that it's taking care of all of their needs, especially basic needs -- food, water, a house over our heads.

I mean, those are needs that cost money that I am now in charge of, all by myself.

>> From what you've discussed with me already, it sounds like maybe the second option would be better for you because you're paying less per month, and that would free up more money for groceries, for the kids, for maybe even saving towards that certification or, you know, anything like that.

>> When I first got to Raiz, I had seven credit cards open with high balances, high interest rates, and they were able to consolidate all of that for me.

And I now pay just one payment a month.

>> It's good to meet you.

I'm glad that you came in.

>> Raiz saved my life.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> How are you feeling?

>> I'm feeling nervous.

I really don't want to lose our house.

>> I don't either.

Trying to be hopeful.

As we're walking in to Telhio Credit Union, I am feeling very hopeful, but I'm also still very nervous.

>> I was shaking.

>> Well, welcome to Telhio.

My name is Aaron.

So, we got your application in, and I was taking a look, but I'm a little more interested to know what is your story.

>> We have just been struggling financially for quite a few years, and we have three kids.

In my name, I have two credit cards that are in collections now.

We are at the point now where we need to fix things so that we don't lose our house.

We're behind on rent.

>> Understood.

Okay.

>> If we don't get the help, we're going to end up losing our place.

And we we have exhausted all other options.

>> Those mistakes and, you know, going forward, it's all about learning, right?

I've had troubles in my past, but, honestly, working here, getting financially educated has really helped me pull out of a very similar situation.

>> That's good.

>> So, have you done your research into the big banks versus credit unions, so far?

What has that process been like?

>> So, we do have a financial coach.

She is the one that helped us use The Opportunity Finder tool.

So then that's when we got in contact with Telhio.

>> I'm really glad you guys did.

We're going to go on this journey together, and we're going to help you through it.

>> Sitting in Telhio Credit Union, Aaron makes me feel relieved.

He's so inviting and so friendly.

>> What would you say is your five-year plan?

>> I think our five-year goal is to be financially stable.

Definitely love to work on being able to help save some for college and all that.

>> I have a thing in mind that we could really put forward, project wise, to help you out.

Okay?

And then I'm going to get with my team to try to get you back on track, okay?

>> That'd be great.

>> Okay.

>> Thank you.

>> I'm not really sure how to feel, because everything is riding on this meeting -- our kids, how they view us... >> Their house.

>> ...their lives, their school zone.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> So, today is my appointment for the United Way.

>> Hello.

>> Hello.

How are you?

How can I help you?

>> I'm excited just to see what all they offer and just to see how much they can really help me.

>> So, what brings you in today?

>> Oh, I need help with my taxes.

I haven't filed my taxes in about five years.

And just looking for help to, like, get a bigger home for me and my mom and maybe even owning my own home one day.

>> Okay.

I would like to tell you about a few of our programs so you can think about what would work best for you and your situation.

>> Okay.

>> We do monthly financial education classes, and then we also do financial coaching.

That is what you and I will start on today.

You say you need to get your taxes done.

So we have our free tax preparation.

We call it VITA -- Volunteer Income Tax Service.

And you will meet with Miss Gail today, who will be your tax consultant, okay?

Also you'll meet with Hoa Luu, who is over our Individual Development Account.

And it's a matched savings program.

It's for individuals that want to purchase their first home.

Right?

Chiquita is, like, so friendly.

I like her.

It's, like, she's a vibe.

>> And another thing that we do here is we do build a team based off the information that you provide to me today and the information that you tell me that you want to do.

>> She just talk to you like you're a friend.

>> Like, she's just been knowing you forever, so it just makes you more comfortable.

>> So, I have an intake form that I would need to complete.

Now, you told me that you're renting.

So, is rent an issue, like, that -- is it burdensome to you?

And then if it is, then we have another program that you can also -- may be eligible to take advantage of.

Okay?

To help alleviate some of the responsibilities that you have financially, because you have a payday loan, we would pay a third of the rent, or up to $400, which then you'll take that $400, or two of those $400, and then pay on your payday loan.

So United Way is going to do that for you.

>> [ Chuckles ] I've heard about United Way.

I just never knew exactly what all they did.

I never knew that they help you, like, with everyday-life things.

So it's all kind of emergency help.

I'm excited about that and to, like, share that with, like, my friends and stuff, because a lot of people I know go through things, and I seen a lot of other things that they can help my friends with.

>> So, look like you need to do your returns from '19, '20, '21, and '22.

>> Yes.

To have somebody to actually help you with your taxes, it's, like -- that's important because I should have been doing my taxes.

Whoo!

I should have been doing my taxes.

>> And this is your folder, so I'm going to give this to you.

So, in this folder, you have the IDA brochure and then the tax brochure, as well.

I love this book right here.

And so it is a budget planner.

And what I like about it is that you're able to write in all of your bills.

So, like, how much cash I have on hand to date, investments.

Sometimes we make enough money, but we don't know where it goes.

Right?

So, this is just a daily log where you can just log in what you're spending, and so you'll get a good gauge of what $100 go, because I do that all the time.

I'm like, "Where that $100 go to?"

>> I do, too.

>> And it also builds discipline for you, as well so you save.

>> So, Chiquita also told me about budget tracking.

So this is the second time I'm hearing it.

I heard it from my financial coach, and now I'm hearing it from her.

And I also heard Miss Rachel mention something about planning and budgeting at the New Orleans Firemen's Federal Credit Union, so it's important.

>> So, now I'm going to go and get your team.

And this is a team that we put together based off the information that we had and your desire, goals.

Okay?

>> A team.

[ Chuckles ] >> Yes.

I will be right back.

>> I'm excited about this.

I'm ready to get started.

>> Hey, Miss Erika.

>> Hi.

>> Nice to meet you.

>> Nice to meet you.

>> My name is Hoa, and I'm the IDA manager.

>> Nice to meet you.

>> I'm Dominique, and I'm the financial capability specialist here.

>> And I'm Gail.

I'm the VITA site coordinator.

Nice to meet you.

>> Nice to meet y'all.

I'm excited to move forward with United Way to see how much they change my life.

I mean, from what I read and what I seen when I met the team, I'm like, "I'm ready for this."

>> Oh, I am so excited about this journey we're about to take together.

>> I know I'm excited.

>> Yeah.

>> I have a team.

>> Yes.

♪♪ >> So, I was talking with my team.

So we have an idea of what we want to do.

We're just looking at a personal secured loan.

Just looking into that, maybe $2,000 just to catch you back up on the rent.

>> Yeah.

>> We do have a lot of great tips and tricks on our website.

We have this here on our Telhio website.

It's for your kids, as you have three young ones -- Money Mammals Kids Club.

And the best part I love is, on their birthday, however old they are turning, we will match funds into their savings account as long as you bring a deposit in for them.

>> Oh, great.

So, that's amazing because, like, we want to give our kids the best future, and they are going to be able to help us teach our kids how to be financially smart like we were not.

>> Right.

>> So, when it comes to your loan -- so, with the $2,000 -- we're really looking here at a 48-month loan.

Your payments per month would be around $44.

So we just need your commitment, knowing that $44 is something that you can budget.

And that $44, think of it as those first steps, that monthly, "Hey, this is us continuing our journey," not only for you two but for the family.

>> I think it's amazing that people are giving us a second chance.

There are times where I don't feel like we have deserved that second chance, because of how we have done in the past.

But it makes me feel happy that people are there for us.

I'm excited and hopeful.

>> That's what I like to hear, is someone who's also a fellow owner in the credit union.

Thank you for choosing Telhio.

From one member to future members here.

Thank you so much.

>> Thank you so much.

It feels amazing to be a member of Telhio Credit Union.

One of the 70,000.

>> They are helping so many people, and it just feels amazing to have that family of financial people that are there for us now.

They helped us save our house.

>> To say that, I'm kind of -- kind of shaking.

>> Yeah.

That was a lot.

That was amazing.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> After telling Louis about the struggles I have with groceries and no health insurance, he led me to Opportunity Finder, and that led me to Amistad, where I have my appointment today.

I don't know anything about Amistad, other than their buses that I've seen driving around town.

I don't really know what they do or where they're for or who they're for.

I know nothing about Amistad.

Hello.

>> Good afternoon.

>> I'm Nicole.

>> Nicole, my name is Norma Iglesias, and I'll be helping you here today.

I want to thank you for coming to Amistad.

But, first of all, I'm going to ask you, how can I help you?

>> I have looked on The Opportunity Finder, where my coach told me to look at, and that website presented your services here.

But I don't exactly know what Amistad is or what can you offer or what do you offer.

>> Amistad is a not-for-profit organization that started about 47 years ago.

They started with, I think it was a station wagon back then.

>> Oh.

>> And they started taking people, you know, that needed to go to the doctor, go here, go there.

Now we have assistance with affordable healthcare.

In addition to that, Amistad currently has a food assistance program.

>> Miss Norma is very knowledgeable.

She's also very welcoming.

She seems like she has a lot of things to offer me.

How did you get started here?

>> I started working for Amistad 13 years ago, and it was by -- really by chance.

It was a time in my life, things had totally changed in my personal life.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

>> Oh.

>> And so I went through the treatment and the surgeries and such, and I found I couldn't do my job that I was doing back then, because it was 100% commission.

>> Right.

>> And there was days I did not even want to get up from my bed.

>> Right.

>> And one day, I was feeling sorry for myself.

I didn't want to get up.

I was doing my crossword puzzle, and I said, "Heck with this."

And I finally got myself up.

And where I had put my pen down was a blotch -- I mean, a big old blotch.

And it was for Amistad training program.

I've been here ever since, and I enjoy what I do.

I love to help people.

If I can help just one person, that makes my day.

>> Seeing Miss Norma go from a hardship in her life to helping people is inspiring, because it's something that I want to be able to do, as well, and it's inspiring to know that I won't always be here.

And I want to do that.

I want to help other people.

I want to help kids.

>> Alright, we're all wrapped up here, Nicole.

Thank you very much for coming in.

And I'll show you the way out.

>> To know that I might qualify for health insurance is really exciting for me, because it's something that I haven't had for a couple of years now.

I haven't been able to really go to the doctors, because I don't have healthcare.

And when I do, I have to pay up front, which I usually don't have the money for.

Thank you.

>> Spread the word, okay?

Tell them we're here to help.

Thank you.

>> Thank you.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> As I'm walking into the Louisiana Center for Restorative Dentistry, I am scared.

>> Are you concerned with any areas in particular at this time?

>> Um, uh, yes.

I have multiple areas.

It's painful everywhere.

>> Well, we're going to get you taken care of.

That's for sure.

>> I've been in pain for most of my adult life, but it's kind of like I'm so used to it.

>> Mr. Wolf?

>> Yes.

>> Meet your great doctor.

>> Good morning.

>> This is Dr. Nelson Daly.

>> Nice to meet you, Wesley.

>> I'm excited.

This is... >> Are you?

Good.

Good.

One of the things I'm going to be doing today is just kind of taking a look and see what the hand I'm dealt is, okay?

>> Yes.

>> What we need to do, what you've got, and what the problems are, and then we'll talk.

How's that?

>> Sounds good.

This is a amazing opportunity that Dr. Daly is going above and beyond to help me.

>> We're going to get started with your X-rays here.

>> Perfect.

>> And bite.

I know, it's... >> [ Moans ] The X-rays are quite painful, but the X-ray pain is worth it.

>> There's some teeth that will need to come out.

>> I didn't realize how bad my lifestyle was until I was shown that by Dr. Daly.

>> Alright, that's decay, right?

>> Yeah.

>> So, as soon as we can, we'll take these teeth out.

>> I didn't realize that some of the decisions I was making and the effects they were having on every aspect of my life.

>> And so the big thing we need to do for you is get you smiling again.

>> Yes.

>> When you wake up in the morning and you look in the mirror, I need you to smile, okay?

Because that's going to make your whole day.

>> I'm looking forward to working with you and getting taken care of.

>> I am very excited to see Wesley smile, because he does not smile often, because he doesn't like his smile.

He tries every way to smile that won't show his teeth.

Like that.

[ Both laugh ] >> Appreciate you.

>> Alright, big guy.

>> To find your own opportunities, please visit opportunityknocks.net.

Next time on "Opportunity Knock$"... >> Look at him.

>> Aah!

>> Surprise!

>> You're still here, which I take as a good sign.

>> You are looking to go into entrepreneurship?

>> Yes, I'm ready to be my own boss.

You're start talking to me now, I'll be like, "Look, go to Opportunity Finder."

>> Do you know, this makes me so happy?

>> I'm excited to tour the Seattle Culinary Academy with my daughter Jailyn.

>> This is where a lot of the food that gets served at Square One bistro is produced.

>> I'm just ready to eat now.

[ Both laugh ] >> Major funding for "Opportunity Knock$" is provided by the National Council for Financial Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and creating economic mobility by breaking down systematic barriers, increasing equitable access to capital, and making opportunity accessible to all.

Its programmatic areas of focus include financial resiliency, financial accessibility, and income adequacy.

Additional funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation, which seeks to strengthen historically marginalized communities by investing in pathways to economic advancement and generational wealth.

Additional funding for "Opportunity Knock$" provided by Balance... and Callahan & Associates.