Consistently Thriving-Sheena's Story
My name is Sheena McCloud. I have a beautiful daughter name Journee who is 11. I am many things one would say: Christian, mother, sister, godmother, aunt, friend, girlfriend, nurse, pharmacy tech, problem solver, a doer, and the list can go on. I wear so many hats and I am often pulled in many directions but at ELI I find comfort and peace! I often sit back and reflect on my life and I can't help but thank God. I thank God for His grace, mercy, and unlimited blessings.
I heard of ELI over a year ago from Jasper Career center. I was in nursing school and my peers and I were told that "Thrive" could be a resource that helped single parents but it was in Walker County. I contacted the Walker County person and asked if there was anyone in Jefferson or Shelby County. From the initial connection the people at ELI were genuine, fun, warm and comforting. I have always desired to get my finances under control but never had the money to do so or it always seemed as if it wasn't the right time. Through ELI I was able to take Dave Ramsey again but this time I was able to apply the knowledge through my everyday life. I had always known what a budget was but never remained consistent. I am excited when I see my debt eliminated. ELI has taught me to be consistent and to identify what went wrong in my spendings and fix it for the next month. Money management, time management, k-cups from the pantry, Christmas shop, single moms connect group, assistance on rent, self care, traveling and not feeling guilty, and even sometimes a quick counseling session with my financial coach Macy are all the great things I look forward to each month at ELI.
I am forever grateful for allowing myself to be open and vulnerable when it came to my finances. I am thankful for the mindset to want to change for myself but most of all create the life I want to live! I will always speak on the graces of this organization that came into my life at a time that I wasn't looking; but we know that's usually how God sends His greatest blessings when we aren't looking. Being a single parent isn't something I speak negatively on or even dread. I changed my narrative, God is the author of my story, I am rich in His favor, generational wealth is my portion; so being a single parent doesn't define me I define it. ELI has grown with me and I have grown with it! I look forward to being able to give back with ELI when I can! This gal will always be a voice for ELI because ELI has always been the voice for me when I didn't see a way!
Hebrews 10:36 "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
