“Fresh Start does not necessarily require a traumatic experience to put you here, be that violence, judicial system, homelessness, whatever. They can help someone who has a support system. You can’t compare experiences.”
Kelly* had a great support system at home her entire life. Even if their perspectives differed, she knew her mother and two sisters were always in her corner. Kelly was born and raised in Scottsdale and attended Arizona State University, and the University of Phoenix. She started her college career with a full ride to ASU, but didn’t prioritize her schooling and lost the scholarship.
“I was put on academic probation and still managed to fail. After that, I took classes here and there and have the student loans to prove it. I just kept working at it.”
Kelly transferred to the University of Phoenix, where she attained her bachelor’s degree and continued to earn a master’s in emergency management.
Over the next 20 years, Kelly worked as a secretary, technical recruiter, and bill collector in industries from IT to sales and retail to the local fire department. When COVID struck, she was laid off, and the only position she could find was as a store protection specialist at a large discount department store. In her role, she greeted customers and checked receipts at the store’s entry.
“I was okay with being (in that role) with my masters, well not okay, but you know I dealt with it. I saw one of my teachers, and it reminded me of who I am. That hurt a lot. I left high school with a full ride my freshman year and I squandered it, and I was working at a retail store.”
In Winter 2023, Kelly fell on her way out of work and tore her meniscus in her knee.
“I had fallen a couple of times on my own time and on my way out of work. And to me, it’s on the way out of work, so it’s on my own time.”
To Kelly’s surprise and benefit, her employer deemed the injury as workman’s compensation even though she was leaving her shift.
In a twist of events, while she was out on workman’s compensation, Kelly unfortunately broke her right leg, which required surgery to put in a plate and 13 screws. Her role required standing during eight-hour shifts, and she began questioning how realistic this job would be in the long term.
“I was about to go back to work, and then I ended up breaking my leg in three places. After I could finally walk again, I realized I could not go back to the job that I had.”
The injuries made her face the harsh reality that, as a woman in her 50s without traditional retirement funds, she needed to find a new career that would create a more secure future.
“It’s just me. I’ve never been married, I don’t have any children, I live paycheck to paycheck, so what? It’s just me. There’s no one depending on me. I can’t do that anymore. I have no savings and no retirement. I need to find a big girl job.”
After first attending yoga classes at Fresh Start with her two sisters in 2000, Kelley continued to receive Fresh Start news throughout the years. When she decided to change her life, Fresh Start immediately popped into her mind as the organization that could help facilitate and support her career pivot.
She applied and was accepted into the Women in Finance program that began in January 2025.
“The first day we were talking about our own personal budgets, and I was like, ‘Don’t look at me, don’t look at me.’ I do not budget. Never have. It’s something I plan on starting.”
Kelly enjoyed how well-rounded the class was in addressing real-world financial elements. She also welcomed the structure of the class after going day-to-day without that during medical leave.
“We started talking about budgeting, we worked on our resumes, and learned about different jobs in the industry, different companies, we had speakers come in, we went on a field trip to Chase. It was the kick in the butt that I needed. I’ve been sleeping late, I’ve had no structure for the last year, and it’s getting me back to where I need to be so that I can get a job.”
Kelly made the most of other Fresh Start resources, such as Fresh Start’s Personal Empowerment Series and the social work team for success coaching. She was excited to work on another big issue in her life: making genuine friends.
“I meet with my Fresh Start social worker once a month, and we talk about how to make friends. I have one friend. I know how to make friends, I’m really gung-ho at it. But people aren’t receptive. I scare them, I think, and once I make a friend, I’m all in, and they don’t seem to be.”
As the program wound down, she felt secure knowing that Fresh Start would continue to support her even after she graduated.
“I can call up at any time and say, ‘The interview is tomorrow; help me,’ and anyone here (at Fresh Start) will help me with that. The support is huge.”
Now, Kelly has a resume she can be proud of and the knowledge to utilize best practices when applying for jobs in the finance industry.
She hopes that other women who are looking for help but aren’t sure they are eligible to benefit from Fresh Start’s resources, will take the chance and seize their fresh start.
“Fresh Start does not necessarily require a traumatic experience to put you here, be that violence, judicial system, homelessness, whatever. They can help someone who has a support system. You can’t compare experiences. A lot of people don’t know how to ask for help, but I do, and I’m willing to.”