This year’s Client Celebration brought together clients, supporters, and community partners to recognize the determination and progress of individuals and families working toward stronger financial futures. Held at Third Degree Glass Factory, the evening celebrated two individuals and two couples whose journeys reflect the power of persistence, financial education, and trusted support.
With Enterprise Bank & Trust serving as our Wealth Builder Sponsor and U.S. Bank as our Founding Sponsor, the event highlighted meaningful milestones like reducing debt and building savings to achieving goals that once felt out of reach. We celebrated the progress our clients have made and the stronger, more financially resilient St. Louis we are building together. Let’s meet this year’s honorees and celebrate their incredible achievements!
Wayne Becker
Wayne came to Prosperity Connection during a particularly difficult chapter in his life, navigating a divorce while caring for his elderly father. His goal was to improve his credit and prepare to purchase a home.
Working closely with his coach, Wayne addressed significant financial obstacles, including an unfavorable debt settlement agreement that was limiting his ability to save. With guidance and persistence, he successfully negotiated major settlements on outstanding debts, dramatically reducing what he owed and creating space to move forward.
Through consistent budgeting and disciplined saving, Wayne began steadily improving his financial position. After selling his house, he was able to eliminate all remaining debt and build more than $80,000 in savings. The stability he created allowed him to focus on caring for his father during his final days without the added burden of financial stress. Today, Wayne is entering a new chapter with confidence, having purchased a reliable car and his forever home.
Jaci & Sarah Gallen
As Jaci and Sarah prepared for marriage, they wanted to build a strong financial foundation together. They began coaching with goals of creating a shared spending plan, increasing savings, purchasing a vehicle, and buying a home within a year.
They committed to saving 20% of their income, and Sarah took intentional steps to strengthen their credit. Within months, they purchased a vehicle and continued building momentum toward homeownership.
After exploring several lending options, Jaci and Sarah purchased a home with no down payment and received $5,500 toward closing costs. Their focus, organization, and commitment to their goals allowed them to achieve homeownership within a year of starting coaching. Their story shows what’s possible when thoughtful planning supports a shared vision for the future.
Paul & Kelsey Hart
Paul and Kelsey came to Prosperity Connection feeling stressed and uncertain about their finances. Although they had strong incomes, they often avoided looking at their accounts because it felt overwhelming, and conversations about money frequently led to tension.
Working with their coach, they created a budget focused on mindful spending and saving. Over time, they built confidence, customized their system, and began making steady progress on debt repayment. They also purchased a vehicle and developed healthier financial habits as a couple.
When Paul unexpectedly lost his job in 2025, they were able to adjust their budget and rely on the savings they had built together. Today, Paul is re-employed, they communicate openly about finances, and they are on track to be debt-free in 2026. Their journey highlights the stability and reassurance that come from making intentional financial decisions as a team.
Jetta Vaughn
When Jetta first connected with Prosperity Connection, she felt overwhelmed and unsure whether her financial situation could improve. Limited resources and discomfort with technology made it difficult to navigate systems and access support independently.
Through coaching, Jetta built confidence and began taking steady steps forward. From day one, she was clear about her goal: to break free from a predatory car loan that had been a heavy burden on her finances. She enrolled in a food assistance program for added stability and connected with community resources to support her progress.
After working hard to improve her credit, Jetta has reached a major milestone: she is now positioned to explore a financing option that could eliminate her car loan and move forward on solid financial ground.
On her journey, Jetta also discovered an unexpected financial asset from a previous job, a meaningful resource that will help strengthen her future. Over six months of coaching, she has increased her credit score by more than 25 points and established consistent on-time payments. Most importantly, she now feels hopeful and supported, with a clear plan for continued progress.
Are you inspired and ready to start working towards your financial goals?! You can sign up today to get started with financial coaching or any of our other services.
Akeem Smith (He/Him)
Mindy Pluma (She/Her)
Otis McClure (He/Him)
Genise Lay (She/Her)
Jeff Lash (He/Him)
Regina Fowler (She/Her)
Aaron Tucker Jr. (He/Him)
Nikol Theberge (She/Her)
Anniece Robinson 
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Myers (She/Her)
Joyce Kampwerth (She/Her)
Allison Cook (She/Her)
YaNan Bledsoe (She/Her)
