Economic Mobility: Post Secondary Education Creates Opportunities

Tomory was homeless, unemployed, and looking for new opportunities when he met a Martha O’ Bryan Post Secondary Success (PSS) Coach. Living out of his car and traveling from parking lot to parking lot, Tomory was on a quest to find stable housing and financial stability after receiving little support from his family.

Tomory’s PSS Coach not only helped him find housing via the Martha O’ Bryan’s Accelerated Residential Community Program (ARC), but helped him think about his long-term career goals and plans. After several coaching sessions and with the help of his Coach, Tomory decided to pursue a two-year degree program at Tennessee College of Applied Sciences. As a resident of ARC, Tomory was surrounded by a community of young adults seeking stability, but most importantly he was surrounded by a group of peers who wanted to invest in their future.

The Martha O’Bryan ARC program helps students eliminate barriers and open access to upward economic mobility via education. A large part of Tomory’s success was due to his own determination and taking full advantage of the opportunities Martha O’Bryan is gratefully able to create for young people like him. Tomory graduated from Tennessee College of Applied Technology in 2023, and is currently full-time employed at a luxury apartment.

1300 students benefited from Martha O’Bryan’s High School > Post Secondary Success Coaching model in the 2024-2025 school year.