Connecting Mental Health and Poverty Solutions

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 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 empowering people with both knowledge and connection, we help them push past poverty toward lasting stability. impact in the community.