Empowering families on the pathway to homeownership

My nonprofit founder story

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Ghandi

Rock bottom is not a place anyone wants to be. Yet, it was at my lowest point that I found my purpose- and the clarity of my calling. I had always worked hard, invested in my education, and tried to do everything “right”. I completed virtual training programs, had been in the workforce since before high school graduation, and made pretty wise choices, overall. Still, I was living in a rundown home in an unsafe neighborhood, charging my phone in the car because we had no electricity.

I never expected to be wealthy, but I believed I should at least be able to provide a safe, stable home for my children. As I reached out to friends, family, and local services, I came to a realization that changed everything: I was not alone. Many others were facing the same struggle- working full-time and still stuck in survival mode- yet no one recognized it as a crisis. This was the norm.

I decided I couldn’t accept that and started working toward a solution. With a 420 credit score and over $50,000 in debt, I set out on the path to homeownership.

AND I SUCCEEDED!!

On the Rock Alliance founder, Sam Kinnear, celebrating homeownership with her children

In just five years, I raised my credit score to over 680, paid down my debts, earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and bought my first home. Looking back, I realized this wasn’t just luck- it was a repeatable process. It wasn’t just personal success; it was the framework for a transformational, trauma-informed support model I could share with others.

The Problem I Couldn’t Ignore

In underserved communities across Appalachia and West Virginia, it’s easy to blame addiction or crime for generational poverty—but that’s not what I’ve seen.

Too many law-abiding, resilient families are doing everything right and still falling through the cracks. They’re working full-time, raising children, staying out of trouble—and still facing housing instability, financial stress, and emotional exhaustion. I’ve met families juggling multiple jobs while staying in shelters, single moms lost in endless waitlists and paperwork, and people just one flat tire or short paycheck away from losing everything.

Even worse, when families try to move forward, they often face a “benefits cliff.” They lose access to food stamps, healthcare, or childcare assistance when they receive a raise—before they can afford to truly sustain themselves. It starts to feel like families aren’t being rewarded for their hard work, but are punished instead.

While I’m grateful for the community programs that help those in crisis, we don’t have enough relationship-based, prevention-focused programs that offer mentorship, coaching, and emotional support before the crisis happens.

Having lived this cycle for far too long, I know we need more than temporary resources. I can’t just ignore the gap- the emotional and mental exhaustion of navigating a broke system. We need community-rooted, trauma-informed, strengths-based mentorship programs to empower underserved families before they break down.

A Vision for Lasting Change

After achieving homeownership, I continued to meet families who wanted the same: stability, security, and the ability to build wealth for their children. Working in a nonprofit focused on social-emotional learning and violence prevention, I realized that housing was just one part of the puzzle. This work would also be addressing major issues, such as interpersonal and community violence, addiction, and mental health and wellness, as well.

This work goes beyond a band-aid solution. On the Rock Alliance was born from a mission to address the whole person, not just their housing status.

This work is grounded in evidence-based, human services research, including:

· Housing First[i]- Based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the Housing First model recognizes that people can’t thrive until their basic needs are met. Research from the At Home/Chez Soi project showed that participants who were housed first—without preconditions—experienced greater long-term stability, reduced criminal activity, and higher quality of life. This program was also cost effective, decreasing system-strain through long term stability and decreased need for emergency services.

· Poverty Impedes Cognitive Function[ii]- Financial scarcity reduces mental bandwidth. Research shows that poverty-related stress interferes with executive functioning and long-term planning. It’s not that people in poverty make poor choices, but that poverty itself impacts decision-making. This reinforces the need for mentorship, financial literacy, and relational support as people transition out of survival mode.

· Rat Park[iii]- This lesser-known recovery study showed that enriched environments, versus isolation, led to less addiction, more prosocial behavior, and healthier functioning. The takeaway? Community engagement, safety, and emotional connection reduce destructive patterns— not just willpower or discipline alone.

These findings support what I already knew: the answer isn’t just housing or financial help—it’s community, coaching, and dignity-driven development that offer the right accountability, guidance, and stability needed to succeed.

Through additional workshops, mentorship, and peer-led engagement opportunities, On the Rock Alliance will help families break free from survival mode and build long-term success.

Timing is everything

I didn’t always dream of founding a nonprofit—but I’ve always worked toward ending generational poverty.

My grandparents raised five children in a literal chicken coop. My childhood home often had no running water or electricity. Reflecting on those memories while raising my own children was painful—but it also gave me a vision. One night, I literally dreamed of empowering single mothers on their own path to homeownership.

As I was navigating that path myself, I quietly saved every tool, resource, and lesson I could. At times I doubted if this was something I could really do until something surprising lit that spark in me again.

I was laid off from a job I loved.
But then, I found myself surrounded by nonprofit leaders and mentors.
My church rebuilt a neighbor’s home after a fire.
My heart stirred with urgency as I realized I couldn’t let this chance pass me by.

I wasn’t just supposed to survive— I was being called to lead.

For the first time in my life, I felt both capable and compelled. And I knew that if I didn’t move forward now, I might miss the opportunity to bring multi-generational change to West Virginia—rooted in lived experience, professional training, and faith-based resilience.

Building the Foundation

Over the past year, I’ve deepened my understanding of trauma-informed care, supportive housing models, and social-emotional skill-building. I’ve soft-launched workshops in Cabell and Mason County, participated in regional resource fairs, and shared my vision with nonprofit leaders, funders, and church partners.

Now, it's time to take the next step—and I can’t do it alone.

I'm building a Board of Directors made up of people who believe in this mission, understand the vision, and feel a deep commitment to community transformation. Our board will shape not only policy, but culture, values, and sustainability.

You're Invited: Informational Dinner – August 2nd at 4:00 PM

We’re inviting those interested in the roles of founding board members, early sponsors, and community partners for an exclusive informational dinner.

At this event, you’ll hear a short presentation outlining our mission, process, and core values, followed by a free dinner and time to ask questions, offer insights, and connect directly with myself and my collaborators.

Community mentorship dinner in West Virginia for nonprofit launch

This dinner isn’t just about support—it’s about shared vision, responsibility, and lasting impact.

The Table Is Set. The Mission Is Clear. The Only Thing Missing Is YOU.

Want to Be a Founding Voice in Something Big?
We’re inviting a select group of committed leaders on August 2nd to preview a new nonprofit model built for long-term change.

We’re looking for:

🏛️ Founding Board Members
💼 Sponsors and Donors
🤝 Community Partners

This is more than a presentation. It’s a conversation about building something that lasts.
Seats are limited — [Click Here to RSVP]

Final Thoughts – From Vision to Legacy

This work isn’t just about a program — it’s about building people, families, and communities on a firm foundation. Like the wise builder in Scripture who built his house On the Rock, we are laying a foundation that can weather life’s hardest storms.

“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” -Matthew 7:25

That’s the kind of stability, resilience, and multi-generational transformation we’re creating — for families, communities, and generations— right here in West Virginia. My hope is that what we’re building here will become a national model:
A faith-based, evidence-backed, community-rooted nonprofit that empowers working families to rise—not just survive.

Join us for dinner!

[i] Goering, P., Veldhuizen, S., Watson, A., Adair, C., Kopp, B., Latimer, E., Aubry, T. (2014). National At Home/Chez Soi Final Report. Calgary, AB: Mental Health Commission of Canada. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca.

[ii] Mani, A., Mullainathan, S., Shafir, E., & Zhao, J. (2013). Poverty impedes cognitive function. Science, 341(6149), 976-980.

[iii] Gage, S. H., & Sumnall, H. R. (2019). Rat Park: How a rat paradise changed the narrative of addiction. Addiction, 114(5), 917–922. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14481

On the Rock Alliance: Why I’m Starting This Nonprofit