Rosalind M. Simmons

After experiencing personal tragedy that upended my life, I incorporated my corporate experience and educational background into a focused mission: preventing homelessness before it begins. As the founder of the Financial Management Institute, I focus on empowering women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s with limited income. My goal is to help them recognize that there is a great need — not for who they used to be, but who they have become.

A friend suggested that I enrolled in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) which is foundational training to become a healthcare chaplain. It is a combination of classroom training and on-call clinical training in a hospital setting. The hands on training was exactly what I needed to identify my true calling. It provided a platform for my spiritual gifts, personal strengths and passion. It has been an invaluable resource for my work with veterans and as a financial coach.

As a financial coach, training is very important. You are being equipped to impact lives. So learn from the best. Most organizations offer training for estate and retirement planning. However it is equally important to be prepared to help women and families with unstable incomes. This is a growing need due to job loss, divorce and the homeless crisis. 

 As a Financial Coach and Chaplain, I believe that the biggest challenge to financial coaching is creating partnerships with healthcare systems and churches to provide financial recovery training.  Why is it necessary? This is a critical need because  there are 3,000 individuals are newly diagnosed with cancer every month in Houston alone. MD Anderson Cancer Institute treats 1.7 million cancer patients a year.  And there are 37 mega churches in Houston alone) with women that are struggling to navigate job loss, divorce, unstable income and the risk of homelessness.  

Establishing a financial training partnership is challenging because historically churches have not addressed finances within the church.  Financial recovery training is outside of the church’s ability to provide. Nevertheless, speaking as a chaplain, taking care of our members is the mission.  Providing access to certified Faith-based financial training is a solution to a nation-wide problem.  

This is also a great opportunity to demonstrate the gospel message. Training: a) offers dignity, b) allows women to become their own hero c) reduces ongoing requests for assistance d) promotes spiritual health and e) gives members a reason to love and serve. 

In my work, compassion and inclusion are extremely important values to me.  As a chaplain, I realize that one of the greatest barriers to talking openly about personal finance is shame and fear of judgment. When coaches treat clients with compassion, they realize that they are safe, and are not being judged. Being proficient in culturally inclusivity is  equally important. It is absolutely necessary for creating a warm and trusting environment for transparency and growth. 

In my personal life, family, courage, and discipline have been the values that have changed my life. Spending time with family keeps me grounded and fills my heart with peace. I have found courage and discipline to be life-changing values. Without courage fear will trap us in stagnation and defeat. But discipline and courage will provide the strategy and ability to move forward, despite fear. Without courage, faith and discipline I would have thrown out the 42-page application for national chaplain certification. By the grace of God, courage and discipline was rewarded. I was offered a position and a seat on the Certification Committee during my oral exam.