lizbeth's StorY

Lizbeth’s Story: Finding Strength, Stability, and a Voice

For Lizbeth, joining the THRIVE Network marked the start of something bigger than she expected. She was searching for stability, support, and a way to move forward—not just for her family, but for herself. She had goals: to work from home, grow her confidence, take control of her finances, and build a secure future for her family and especially her daughter. Through the THRIVE Network, she found a team of people who believed in her journey and helped her take one step at a time.

That journey began when Tanya, a longtime friend and THRIVE coach, invited her to attend a month-long parenting series led by THRIVE. Lizbeth didn’t have a driver’s license and struggled with anxiety, so Tanya even drove her to the group. It was the first of many moments that reminded Lizbeth she didn’t have to do this alone.

At the parenting series, Lizbeth met Mary— a former THRIVE coach and co-leader of the group. “I was shy. I didn’t want to talk at first,” Lizbeth said. But Mary encouraged her: “You got this.” That support helped Lizbeth open up. “I’m not afraid to speak now,” she said. “If the other parents could share, I could too.”

At the time, Lizbeth was carrying a lot on her shoulders. She was determined to find a job that would allow her to work from home—something that would let her support her family while being present for her daughter, Yvette, who is autistic and mostly non-verbal. But she faced challenges that made moving forward feel overwhelming. “Kids with disabilities can be targeted,” she shared, and trusting others with her daughter’s care didn’t come easily. On top of that, Lizbeth was dealing with anxiety, didn’t yet have her driver’s license, and wasn’t sure where to begin.

Tanya offered to become her THRIVE Network employment coach, helping her update her resume and look for remote jobs. Although working from home proved challenging due to high competition, Tanya stayed by her side, encouraging her to take steps at her own pace—including eventually working toward her driver’s license.

Later, Lizbeth noticed that her mortgage kept going up every year, and no one could explain why. She mentioned it to Annie, director of the THRIVE Network and co-leader at the parenting series she attended, who connected her to Kayla—a current THRIVE Network coach at PathStone. Kayla reviewed Lizbeth’s mortgage documents and discovered that the Homestead exemption had never been filed. “She explained everything,” Lizbeth said. With Kayla’s help, they submitted the paperwork in time to avoid another hike in property taxes. “We didn’t lose our home because of Kayla.”

The financial support was life-changing, but the emotional support meant just as much. In Lizbeth’s culture, mental health challenges like anxiety aren’t often acknowledged. “They think it’s all in your head. But Tanya helped me understand it’s real—and that it’s okay to talk about it and get help.”

Today, Lizbeth is still pushing forward. She earned her medical interpreter certificate and is exploring new career paths—including dreams of one day working in cybersecurity or data analysis. She knows that getting her driver’s license would open up more job opportunities and hopes to take that step in the future. She also wants to finish fixing up the home she and her husband bought “as-is”—a place they’ve poured love and effort into for their daughter Yvette. “I want the best for her,” she said.

When asked what advice she’d give to others, Lizbeth doesn’t hesitate: “Don’t be scared to ask for help. The coaches are there for you—and they can help or connect you to someone who can. You’re not bothering anyone. Just speak up and let them know what you need.”