From homeless to financial coach: How one woman beat the odds

(WJBK) - Crystal Nickson is someone who has beat the odds after she found herself living on the street.

When her mother suddenly passed away in 2000, Crystal dropped out of college for financial reasons and eventually found herself homeless. For years, she made her home anywhere she could.

That's when she realized she knew nothing about money -- and so set out to learn a thing or two. She enrolled in Baker College of Allen Park to become an accountant, which changed her life.

Now, she works to change the lives of others, too. She now works as a financial coach with the nonprofit Operation HOPE. She works with others who are on the verge of homelessness, and also helps Detroit residents open bank accounts, improve their credit scores and even start small businesses.

If you'd like to reach out to Crystal for help, you can call her at (313) 506-9192 or email her at CoachCrystalDetroit@gmail.com.

Crystal has a couple workshops coming up, too. You can find the information on those below:

HOPE Inside
FREE Credit & Money Management Workshop
Thursday, October 13th, 2016
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
18100 Meyers Rd.
Detroit, MI 48235
You can register for this event here

Saturday, October 22nd, 2016
12pm-2:00pm
FREE Credit & Money Management Workshop
Security Credit Union
2444 Clark Ave.
Detroit, MI 48209
(Spanish-Speaking Counselor will be available.)
Lunch will be provided.
Call 313-506-9192 to reserve your spot