Person-Centered Coaching E-Book

The Reality of Poverty in America

According to the 2021 U.S. Census, 37.9 million Americans are experiencing poverty. This staggering number means that 11.6% of people in this country face financial trauma every day, with children making up more than one-third of those affected. Despite the support provided by programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Unemployment Insurance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Social Security Income (SSI), many participants struggle to achieve true economic self-sufficiency. Hardworking individuals and families are paying the price of a broken financial system that promotes prosperity for some while perpetuating poverty for others. This harsh reality is prevalent in urban and rural communities nationwide.

However, there is hope. A growing number of organizations and practitioners in the human services sector are embracing person-centered approaches to enhance their service delivery models. These approaches are rooted in the belief that people are capable, creative, and resourceful and know what is best for themselves and their families. This shift in perspective paves the way for transformative and collaborative partnerships, significantly increasing the likelihood that individuals can achieve and maintain economic stability.

The Philosophy: What is Person-Centered Care and Coaching?

Person-centered care is about more than just providing services; it’s about the mindset and environment that an organization creates to truly support the people it serves. Rooted in trauma-informed principles, this approach recognizes that persistent lack and poverty are not just economic states but traumatic experiences that impact every aspect of a person’s life. Person-centered care is intentionally centering the client’s experience in how services are designed, delivered, and evaluated, with every team member embracing a culture of dignity, respect, and agency for those they serve.

Person-centered coaching builds on this foundation by providing collaborative, strengths-based support that helps clients achieve their goals. Unlike traditional, authoritative approaches, person-centered coaching guides the formation of trusting, nonjudgmental relationships where clients are viewed as the experts in their own lives. Coaches are not there because clients can’t achieve their goals on their own—they’re there because they know that, with the right support, clients can and will succeed.

Our Framework: Four Phases of Person-Centered Coaching

Our Person-Centered Coaching framework is designed to support individuals through every step of their journey, from goal discovery to the practice of achieving those goals.

The framework includes four key phases:

• Goal Discovery: Helping clients articulate what they truly want to achieve.
• Establishing the Coaching Relationship: Building a foundation of trust and collaboration.
• Goal Planning: Breaking down broad goals into actionable steps.
• Goal Practice: Supporting clients as they implement their plans and make progress.

This approach is grounded in 2GEN principles, recognizing that supporting an individual also means empowering them to become a coach within their household. By focusing on these phases, we create conditions where clients are not just recipients of services but active participants in their journey toward economic independence.