After Church Connections was founded by Cheryl and Chris Williams out of their own lived experience with poverty, which included a suicide attempt, divorce, and homelessness. The name reflects a turning point—when crisis struck after a church service—highlighting the need for support beyond the sanctuary.
Though they once built a million-
After Church Connections was founded by Cheryl and Chris Williams out of their own lived experience with poverty, which included a suicide attempt, divorce, and homelessness. The name reflects a turning point—when crisis struck after a church service—highlighting the need for support beyond the sanctuary.
Though they once built a million-dollar daycare, financial missteps led them back into poverty, revealing the isolation and shame that often come with it.
Now, they lead After Church Connections with a mission fueled by firsthand experience, empowering others through education, empathy, and real-world solutions.
At After Church Connections, our mission is to break the cycle of poverty by addressing the critical link between financial hardship and mental health. We provide education, resources, and support to help individuals achieve stability, restore dignity, and prevent the tragic consequences of poverty—like despair and suicide. By challengin
At After Church Connections, our mission is to break the cycle of poverty by addressing the critical link between financial hardship and mental health. We provide education, resources, and support to help individuals achieve stability, restore dignity, and prevent the tragic consequences of poverty—like despair and suicide. By challenging harmful stereotypes and expanding social capital, we create pathways to hope, healing, and lasting change.
Our approach combines lived experience, one-on-one coaching, financial education, and mental health awareness to address poverty at its roots. We pair individuals with Growth Partners, foster supportive group discussions, and provide practical tools like SMART goals and credit counseling. By building trust, expanding social capital, and
Our approach combines lived experience, one-on-one coaching, financial education, and mental health awareness to address poverty at its roots. We pair individuals with Growth Partners, foster supportive group discussions, and provide practical tools like SMART goals and credit counseling. By building trust, expanding social capital, and empowering people with both knowledge and connection, we help them push past poverty toward lasting stability. impact in the community.
Push Past Poverty exists to equip individuals with the tools, mindset, and support needed to break generational cycles and build sustainable success.Through weekly group meetings, life skills development, and guided financial empowerment, we create a space where transformation becomes possible.Our program offers:
Push Past Poverty exists to equip individuals with the tools, mindset, and support needed to break generational cycles and build sustainable success.Through weekly group meetings, life skills development, and guided financial empowerment, we create a space where transformation becomes possible.Our program offers:
Empowered by our community and guided by a deep understanding of trauma, The Mind Behind the Struggle shines a light on the invisible wounds of poverty that lie behind our mental health struggles. We stand together to educate, advocate, and connect—turning pain into purpose. Through hope and resilience, we empower each other to reclaim mental well-being and transform struggle into strength
At The Mind Behind the Struggle, our fundraising partners are more than donors—they’re advocates for mental health justice and poverty advocacy. Their monthly contributions and fundraising efforts fuel trauma-informed programs that uncover, address, and heal the invisible wounds caused by poverty. By investing in education, connection, a
At The Mind Behind the Struggle, our fundraising partners are more than donors—they’re advocates for mental health justice and poverty advocacy. Their monthly contributions and fundraising efforts fuel trauma-informed programs that uncover, address, and heal the invisible wounds caused by poverty. By investing in education, connection, and grassroots empowerment, our partners help break generational cycles and build communities where mental wellness isn’t a privilege—it’s a right. Where poverty isn't overlooked its addressed. Together, we’re not just raising money; we’re raising awareness, dignity, and the standard of care for those who’ve been overlooked for too long.
Empowering communities begins by meeting people where they are—with honesty, empathy, and real tools for change. Programs like Mental Health Liberation Circles and Resilience Skills Bootcamps offer safe, community-led spaces for adults to unpack how poverty shapes their mental health. Through grassroots workshops, healing pop-ups, and peer-led discussions, we shift the narrative from "what’s wrong with you" to "what happened to you"—and how we rise from it. Art, storytelling, and digital platforms amplify unheard voices while breaking the silence around trauma.
At the core is leadership by those who’ve lived the struggle. Training advocates through lived experience, launching advocacy teams, and creating build-your-own resource kits ensure the solutions reflect the reality. These aren't programs for the people—they're built by the people, sparking healing, hope, and unapologetic community power.
Your generous donations help us provide vital financial education and support to families in need. Together, we can ignite change and foster stability in our communities. Join us in making a difference today!