See how single father of five, Keven, was able to overcome $85,000 of debt and is now using his learnings to help and support others as a Money Mentor.
In 2017, Keven found himself in a place he never expected to be.
“I was a single father with five kids at home, a casual job, and $85,000 in debt,” he shares.
There was no single moment that changed everything. What drove Keven forward was necessity, honesty, and discipline. He had dabbled in budgeting before, but this season forced him to take a hard look at how money was actually being used.
“It really came down to necessity and taking an honest look at how I could be wiser with my spending,” he says.
Keven began to focus not just on budgeting, but on understanding what his money was doing. He learned to question how he shopped, how he spent, and what his dollars were really working towards.
“Not just budgeting but really looking at how you plan to spend money and what job can be assigned to each dollar you have,” Keven says.
Over time, small changes added up. He learned to go without. He learned the difference between wants and needs. He learned patience. Four and a half years later, Keven had paid off the full $85,000.
Those lessons stayed with him – and so did the awareness of how easily people can end up overwhelmed by money.
Through friends, church, and everyday conversations, Keven began to notice just how many people around him were struggling. Many had never been taught how to manage money. Some had never been shown that there was another way.
“Seeing how many people were struggling made me think, maybe I could actually offer some help here,” Keven shares.
When the opportunity arose to become a Money Mentor, Keven stepped into it with humility. He didn’t see himself as an expert, but as someone willing to walk alongside others and share what he had learned.
Since becoming a Money Mentor, one thing has surprised Keven more than anything else.
“It’s not just about money.”
Sometimes support looks like helping someone understand how to shop more wisely. Sometimes it means helping someone get to the bank because they don’t have transport. Sometimes it means offering practical help when hardships in life have stripped someone back to having nothing.
Money, Keven has learned, is deeply personal. It’s also deeply private.
“There’s a lot of isolation.”
Keven has seen people at very different stages – some with complex debt, others needing only a few small steps before they can move forward on their own.
“I’ve seen people get to a place where they’re able to stand on their own two feet after just two meetings,” he says.
For Keven, hope doesn’t usually arrive in a dramatic moment. It comes gradually, as people begin to see a way forward and regain confidence that things can change.
“It’s simple, and it works.”
Keven knows that money is an area where people often expect judgement or criticism. That’s why he believes walking alongside others matters. It’s about pointing people in the right direction, with patience, dignity, and care.
“Knowing there’s someone out there who actually wants to help makes a big difference,” Keven explains.
This is the work of Hope Economy – equipping everyday Christians like Keven to step into financial struggles, walk alongside people with compassion, and bring hope where shame has kept people silent.
Because when someone is willing to step into the quiet, hope reaches in.
