Full Circle: How Ayana Patton Achieved Her Dream of Homeownership
Ayana Patton saw purchasing her first home as about much more than owning property. To Ayana, buying a home represented building a legacy, returning to her roots, and creating a foundation for generations to come. To advance her homebuying journey, Ayana’s lender and realtor referred her to the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. Ayana promptly enrolled in the organization’s first-time homebuyer education and counseling programs, managed through the League’s Center for Housing, Financial Empowerment & Wealth Building. There, Tony Jean-Louis, a HUD Certified Housing Counselor and Housing Program Manager, guided her through every step of the homebuying process. Ayana completed a first-time homebuyer education course, participated in one-on-one housing counseling, and gained access to down payment assistance resources that helped make homeownership possible. She officially closed on her new home on July 31, 2026. But the significance of this achievement goes beyond the closing table. “The house I bought is in the neighborhood that my grandmother lived in about 20 years ago,” Ayana shared. “She has passed away, but coming back here was just a full-circle moment. My grandmother started a legacy here, and now I’m back and recreating what she started.” Ayana views homeownership as an investment not only in herself but also in her future family. Her home will allow her to create stability, build fairness, and continue a family legacy that she hopes will endure for years to come. Like many first-time buyers, Ayana initially faced uncertainty and intimidation about the homebuying process. However, she refused to let fear determine her future. “Don’t let fear hold you back,” she said. “If you really want to do this, you should take the proven steps necessary to succeed.” That positive attitude stood out to Tony throughout their work together. “Ayana showed determination,” he said. “She knew where she wanted to go, and she didn’t want anything to stand in her way. She learned what it means to be a homeowner, and she was ready to move forward.” Urban League of Greater Atlanta counselors like Tony offer personalized support and education so that aspiring homeowners can confidently navigate the path to homeownership. Ayana credits that guidance as a key factor in her success. “Tony was very knowledgeable, and he took his time with me,” she said. “He met with me after work hours, explained things I didn’t know, and helped me understand the homeownership process. He was the best contact person to talk to.” Now, a little more than a month into homeownership, Ayana is still adjusting to the reality of having manifested her dream. “I walk into my kitchen every day and think, ‘Oh my God, this is my kitchen,’” she said. “Everything in here is mine.” She even found herself excited to receive her first homeowner bills. “Everybody asks why I’m excited about getting bills,” she laughed. “But they don’t understand what it took to get here.” Her message to others considering homeownership is simple: Don’t wait for the perfect moment; find a trustworthy team to help everything fall into place. “There are so many programs out there,” Ayana said. “If you find a good realtor, a good lender, and have a good team supporting you, you can do it.” Stories like Ayana’s demonstrate what’s possible when determination meets opportunity. Homeownership represents more than buying a house. It means building wealth, creating stability, and establishing a legacy that can last for generations. And for Ayana, that legacy has already begun. To learn more about ULGA’s housing, financial empowerment and wealth building programs and services, visit ulgatl.org/housing-wealth-building.
A Young CEO Builds Pathways to Long-Term Financial Stability
“When we help young people establish strong financial habits early, we are supporting their individual financial stability and helping create a foundation for long-term wealth building. Often, we are disrupting cycles of generational poverty and positioning the next generation to build, preserve, and transfer wealth.” Breana Curry, senior program manager at the Urban League of Greater Atlanta’s Financial Empowerment Center, made that statement in noting the success of a young woman, Daisha, who recently participated in the League’s Young CEOs program. “One of the most rewarding parts of Daisha’s story is seeing her move from Young CEOs into sustained financial coaching and continue applying what she learned to real-life milestones,” Ms. Curry said. “Her journey shows the value of introducing financial empowerment early and creating opportunities for young adults to continue receiving guidance as their lives, careers, and financial responsibilities evolve.” In the Young CEOs program, Daisha’s business idea won the pitch competition. When the program ended, Daisha moved into an eight-month individualized financial coaching period. This allowed her to immediately build upon the financial concepts she learned as a Young CEO and to extend them to her personal goals. During this period, she achieved meaningful financial and personal milestones. She obtained a new credit card and successfully applied the credit-management strategies developed through coaching to responsibly manage the account. As she continued strengthening her credit profile, her credit score increased from 687 to 732—a 45-point improvement. Daisha also purchased her first vehicle, marking another significant step toward independence and financial stability. Through ongoing coaching, Daisha developed a stronger understanding of credit management and financial decision-making. She transitioned from feeling financially insecure and uncertain about her future to feeling more confident and empowered in managing her finances. “I am incredibly proud of all the progress I have made in such a short time working with Eusevius, my financial coach,” Daisha said. Daisha has now earned her bachelor’s degree and secured full-time employment at a pharmacy, moving ahead in her quest to achieve economic mobility and career advancement. Her experience reflects the value of financial education and individualized coaching, particularly for young adults. In her continued engagement with the League, Daisha made progress in multiple areas — from credit building and responsible use of financial products to employment, education, asset acquisition, and tools for economic stability. As she traverses the next stage of her journey, Daisha can confidently rely on her strong financial foundation to help her achieve her goals.
Helping a Veteran Save His Home
Mr. and Mrs. Freddie followed all the steps they believed would allow their family to live comfortable and independent middle-class lives. A Vietnam veteran, Mr. Freddie worked as a truck driver earning a stable income after retiring from the military. But as he neared 70 years old, a serious back injury left him disabled and unemployed. Within a couple of years, he and his wife were about to lose the home they’d lived in for 38 years, raising children they expected would inherit it. As their income declined, Mr. and Mrs. Freddie decided to refinance their home and take cash out of their fairness to pay mounting bills. Unfortunately, the refinance increased their monthly mortgage payment, and ongoing expenses caused them to fall behind on their note. Soon, they faced foreclosure. In 2023, Mr. Freddie filed for bankruptcy to stop a foreclosure process. While the bankruptcy provided temporary relief, the family’s financial challenges continued, and they once again became delinquent on their mortgage and again faced foreclosure. Fortunately, Mrs. Freddie learned about the Urban League through a friend and made the call for help this year. The Urban League’s Housing and Wealth Counselor Tony Jean-Louis answered. And because Mr. and Mrs. Freddie could not navigate the application process electronically, Mr. Jean-Louis met them at the Davidson Library in Lithonia to guide the couple step by step. Once he had the full picture, he contacted the mortgage lender to work on a solution. Fortunately, the lender wanted to help the family prevent foreclosure and requested a list of documents for review. The clients gathered the required information and brought everything to a meeting at the Urban League’s headquarters on Peachtree Street NW. After verifying that all the documents were in order, they submitted their application for a mortgage adjustment. The lender began evaluating the request for loss mitigation options. As weeks passed, Mr. and Mrs. Freddie became worried. But two months after filing their application, they got great news: The lender had approved them for a loan modification. Now at ages 74 and 71, after five years of struggle, they could breathe easily again. The loan modification brought their mortgage current, removed them from foreclosure status, and provided the stability they desperately needed. Most importantly, it allowed them to remain in the home they have cherished for nearly four decades. The gratitude they expressed for the Urban League’s assistance was matched by the sense of purpose Tony Jean-Louis felt in helping them. “Seeing the relief and joy on their faces after months of uncertainty was a powerful reminder of the impact that housing counseling and being a voice can have on families facing hardship,” he said. “We are also grateful to interact with professionals in the industry who partner with us to keep families in their homes.”
Start your homebuying journey with knowledge and confidence
In today’s challenging market, the journey to homeownership can be rough or smooth depending on your access to financial guidance. This is true whether you’re a first-time buyer or one who’s been through the process before. So says Adrienne Kirkland, a recent participant in the Urban League of Greater Atlanta’s free Home Buyer Education Series. “The class provided updated information that was not available to me when I bought my first home, making it an invaluable resource as I prepare to buy again,” she shared. Sessions are being held now until Feb. 20, at the Lithonia-Davison Library. The course is led by Tony Jean-Louis, a HUD-certified housing counselor at the League. Mr. Jean-Louis breaks down the complexities of the homebuying process in an engaging manner that covers each step, including help with loan applications. And he follows up with weekly check-ins to see if participants need extra assistance, to ensure that each person feels confident and prepared to reach their goals. “Access to information should never be a barrier to homeownership,” Mr. Jean-Louis says. “If you’re a DeKalb County resident, be sure to check out the series before it ends on Feb. 20.” See flyer for more details.
A story of determination and the historical value of generational wealth-building.
A story of determination and the historical value of generational wealth-building. In just five months, Darrell and his wife Aletha transformed their future in remarkable ways. Through discipline, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to their goals, they rebuilt their financial foundation from the ground up. Working together, the couple cleared $1,812 in collections and paid off $5,507 in credit card debt, reducing their total debt from $37,000 to $28,000, leaving only their car loan remaining. In so doing, they elevated the wife’s credit score from 588 to 678, and the husband’s score from 626 to 690. Their combined score falls in the range of “good” on a scale of 300 to 850. A “good” score is sufficient to unlock financial opportunities for people seeking loans. On their journey to financial stability, they endured the heartbreaking loss of Aletha’s mother. Yet even in grief, they found purpose. With the inheritance from her mother, the couple built a meaningful $20,000 savings cushion — a tangible demonstration of the impact of passing down wealth across generations. Her mother’s legacy became the foundation that helped the couple step into the next phase of their financial journey. With strengthened credit and renewed financial confidence, the couple leveraged Darrell’s VA benefits to secure a no-money-down home loan. They are now preparing to close on their first home this month — a dream years in the making. The way they see it, this is only the beginning. As they step into homeownership, the Urban League is working with Darrell and Aletha on their wealth-building strategies: Retirement planning. Investment education and long-term wealth vehicles. Legacy planning (in partnership with an Estate Attorney). The League’s goal is to ensure that the couple not only benefits from the wealth passed down to them but that they continue the healthy habit of passing wealth forward. Their story is a powerful testament to what focused effort, intentional preparation, and generational strength can achieve.
Pathways to Empowerment: From Despair to a Life of Her Dreams
Belinda struggled to support herself and her four children in a job that paid $19.53 an hour. Her utilities bill alone was more than $600 a month. Then she lost her job in 2020 and, therefore, her car. At her lowest, with no expectation of a way out, she was referred by the Atlanta Housing Authority to the Urban League’s Pathways to Empowerment program. Her world changed. In the program, a multitude of pathways opened up for Belinda at no cost to her. She was chosen to participate in the city’s IMPACT guaranteed income one-year pilot project that granted each household an extra $500 a month to effectively lift them out of poverty. A therapist helped her gain confidence. And she earned certifications, including the Financial Institute’s insurance license for sales and adjusting. Following certification, Belinda soared. Delta Airlines hired her to do plane routing. Next, she secured her dream job as an operations manager at JP Morgan Chase, one of the largest banks in the world. At each step as her financial status improved, Belinda invested in her family, moving to better housing and taking part in various community events to broaden their horizons. “Leah Pulliam at the League is a great professional resource to continue to help me advance career-wise, and also I have found myself now more involved in politics than I ever have,” Belinda said. “I always voted but never knew the candidates personally. But thanks to the Urban League, I have personal friends now that are politicians, and they have helped me a lot.” Belinda says her goal is to be “a leader in giving back to my community and offering resources to others who are in need.” She added: “Thank you, Urban League, for helping my family to move from living in the ‘hood to being able to afford and have a middle-class life. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to never feel it’s too late to live your dreams. I say to my former self, ‘Stay strong, things will get better.’ And to my future self, ‘Sometimes things may not go your way, but God’s plan is with faith.’ So, sometimes when things do not go as planned, know that God will make a way with faith.”
Mortgage Assistance Program Spares a Family from Homelessness
Mortgage assistance program spares a family from homelessness. A Dekalb County resident, Ms. R had been living in her home for 24 years. As the sole breadwinner, she leaned on her mother to help her juggle the demands of her job, care for her disabled husband, and medical appointments for a chronically ill child. But things fell apart when Ms. R health conditions worsened, taking a physical and emotional toll on her. She fell behind on her mortgage payments and faced the devastation of eviction. Fortunately, she turned to the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. Three years prior, the League had received a grant from the Dekalb County Government to assist homeowners facing crises like hers. The program allows the League to pay up to six months in back payments to give clients time to fix the problem. Clients go through counseling and agree to a lender-approved process that anticipates their ability to resume payments after stabilizing. Ms. R was four months behind. She was able to fully reinstate her loan after five months. Not only saving her family from homelessness, but retaining $254k in home fairness. The League payments also gave Ms. R’s young adult son time to gain employment and contribute toward the household expenses. As many clients do, Ms. R wrote a letter thanking the League for the life-saving intervention. Her letter included the following: “… I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the generous financial assistance you provided. Your support came at a time when it was truly needed, and it has had a profound impact on my well-being and peace of mind. “The financial relief has significantly lightened the burden I was carrying, allowing me to focus on my children’s mental health, education, my family’s needs, my health, and more. The stress and anxiety that had been weighing me down have been replaced with a sense of stability and hope for the future. It’s difficult to put into words just how much this means to me. “Your generosity is a reminder that kindness and compassion still abound in the world. It’s reassuring to know that people like you are willing to step in and support others during challenging times. Your thoughtful act has inspired me to pay it forward whenever I am able to do so. …” Ms. R’s story reflects the success of one of the League’s core missions: To create homeownership stability in our community. Please visit www.ulgatl.org to learn more about what you can do to increase safe, affordable housing and homeownership, which are drivers of generational wealth-building opportunities throughout the region. For privacy reasons, this client’s full name has been omitted.