Why I Show Up: Serving City of Faith Through Financial Education

TruService Community Federal Credit Union
Allie Gonzales, Business and Community Development

Every Thursday morning at City of Faith starts the same way for me. I don’t open with numbers, budgeting tips, or credit talk. I start by celebrating people.

Serving City of Faith as a volunteer in financial education is an honor that goes far beyond teaching money skills. I’m not there because I expect something in return. I’m there because I believe in celebrating wins, especially the ones that don’t always get noticed.

Each week, I recognize progress, effort, and courage. Sometimes that is met with a quiet thank you, and other times with hesitation. But consistency has a way of breaking through both. Over time, something begins to shift. People start to stand a little taller and see themselves differently, not just as participants in a class, but as individuals capable of growth and change. They leave with more than financial knowledge. They leave with pride, confidence, and the reminder that they are not alone.

I don’t leave unchanged either. I walk away with a deep sense of gratitude for their trust, their honesty, and the opportunity to be part of their growth.

As the manager of Business and Community Development at TruService Community Federal Credit Union, my role centers around building relationships and expanding access to financial education and resources. Partnerships like City of Faith allow us to meet people where they are and provide tools that go beyond the classroom. It is not just about teaching financial concepts. It is about creating pathways to stability, connecting individuals to trusted resources, and showing up consistently so progress feels possible.

My why is rooted in my own story. I didn’t grow up with stability or resources in my early childhood. Until about age six or seven, life was uncertain. When I moved in with my dad, everything changed. I gained structure, support, and opportunities I had never experienced before. That shift taught me something I’ve never forgotten. Opportunity changes everything, but support is what makes it possible.

That truth is reflected in what we see every day. Financial education, paired with strong community support, helps people build confidence, reduce reliance on high-cost debt, and create long-term stability. It helps break cycles that once felt permanent.

That is why I keep showing up. Not to be the loudest voice in the room, but to be a consistent one for people who don’t always have someone in their corner.

I have seen people get jobs, buy cars, enroll in college, and purchase their first homes. Those moments matter because they represent change.

If you are looking for a way to make an impact, start by showing up. Whether through volunteering, sharing knowledge, or supporting organizations like City of Faith, small, consistent acts can create lasting change.