
The East Tennessee Collaborative (ETC) program offers a network of support that fosters growth and resilience for participants and mentors alike. India, a mentor in the program, has experienced firsthand the transformative power of this two-way partnership.
“This program has changed me,” India shared. “It’s not only for them, it’s for us. I’m not the same person I was when I first started either. We are all different. It has made me a better person too.”
India joined ETC after 17 years in banking. Her experience helping people navigate their finances combined with her lifelong passion for serving her community makes her an impactful mentor. “Having a mentor is so powerful,” India explained. “You don’t have to face challenges alone. With ETC, you have a network of people cheering you on.”
A Community of Support
One of the program’s defining features is the support system it provides, not just for participants but also for mentors. ETC mentors lean on each other for guidance and encouragement. “We’re not in this alone,” India emphasized. “We’re just a phone call away from getting the resources we need to help our participant families. I meet with another mentor once a week, and we strategize together to solve problems.”
India highlighted the accountability woven into the program’s success. “I’m never going to ask someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself,” she said. Inspired by the parents she supports—many of whom juggle school, work, and family—India returned to school herself. She has since graduated with her master’s degree in ethics and leadership and is earning her PhD in leadership studies.
The Bridge to Self-Sufficiency
Through ETC, participants achieve milestones that once seemed out of reach using a model called the Bridge to Self-Sufficiency. The Bridge helps people achieve long term financial stability by supporting progress across five pillars: family stability, well-being, education and training, financial management, and employment and career management.
“The program is designed to address multiple aspects of life,” India explained. “When income increases, savings also grow, and family stability improves. It’s all interconnected. No matter where our participants want to start their journey, they are going to see life changing impacts across the board.”
India has worked with individuals to pursue education, overcome addiction, buy their first homes, build savings, and more.
Building a Legacy of Resilience
ETC is more than a program; it’s a community of resilience and growth. For India, being part of this community is both inspiring and humbling. “There’s nothing like this program,” she said. “It’s a privilege to walk alongside these participants as they achieve their goals and transform their lives.”
With each milestone reached, the impact of ETC continues to grow, creating lasting change for individuals and the community as a whole.
Click here to learn more about how the ETC program is changing lives.