A Labor of Love: Wealth Beacon Group Foundation's Mission Highlighted at Yale Child Study Center Grand Rounds

Co-Founder Amir Glenn speaking at the Yale Child Study Center about Wealth Beacon Group Foundation’s mission to combat homelessness through housing, support services, and financial education.

In a heartwarming display of passion, purpose, and community spirit, the Yale Child Study Center recently hosted its annual Black History Month Grand Rounds, spotlighting individuals who dedicate their lives to making a difference beyond the walls of their workplace. This year's theme, Labor of Love, brought forth stories of hope, resilience, and transformative community impact. Among the standout presenters was Amir Glenn, COO of Wealth Beacon Group Foundation, whose nonprofit is turning the dream of homeownership into a reality for families transitioning out of homelessness.

The event opened with an inspiring presentation from Fanta Foro, a Social Work Intern at the Child Study Center, who eloquently shared her journey of providing culturally responsive mental health care to children and families. Originally from Guinea, Conakry, Fanta spoke passionately about her work in supporting women from her home country who have experienced domestic abuse. Many of these stories, she revealed, come to her through deeply personal conversations at her mother’s hair-braiding shop in Hamden, CT—a community space where women feel safe enough to share their experiences and seek guidance. Fanta's dedication to creating safe spaces for healing set the stage for a morning filled with heartfelt narratives of purpose-driven work.

Then came Amir Glenn, stepping onto the stage with a mixture of humility and pride. As he began to speak, the audience leaned in, captivated by the story of a man who turned his family's personal values into a community-wide mission. Wealth Beacon Group Foundation, Amir explained, was born from a simple yet profound belief: when you're blessed, it becomes your responsibility to bless others.

Amir and his wife Yvette, both lifelong New Haveners, founded Wealth Beacon Group Foundation just over a year ago with the mission of transforming lives through stable housing and holistic support services. What started as a leap of faith has quickly evolved into a beacon of hope for many in the Greater New Haven area. Their journey, however, wasn't without its defining moment.

Amir recounted the life-changing experience that shifted their focus from traditional landlords to compassionate community advocates. It was the holiday season of 2023 when a young boy, after touring his new home, paused mid-run to say, "Thank you. This is all I asked God for this Christmas—my own bedroom." The raw sincerity of that moment broke something in Amir, but it also sparked a new resolve. From that day on, the Glenns committed themselves to providing more than just housing; they set out to create housing with a purpose.

"We knew we couldn't sit idly by while families in our community spent night after night in shelters," Amir shared. "We had the means, the experience, and, most importantly, the heart to do something about it."

Since then, Wealth Beacon Group Foundation has helped transition six families and 15 children from shelters to fully renovated, comfortable apartments. But the organization's work doesn't stop there. Through its Housing with a Purpose initiative, Wealth Beacon offers wrap-around services designed to empower families to achieve long-term success. These services include financial literacy workshops, mental health support, career development, and personalized pathways to homeownership.

In addition to their housing efforts, Wealth Beacon is launching SHINE Academy next month. SHINE—Smart Habits Inspiring Next-Level Excellence—is a free financial literacy program available to the entire community. From budgeting basics to credit repair, the academy aims to equip residents with the tools to build strong financial foundations. "The barbershop is buzzing about it," Amir said with a smile. "We want financial literacy to be as common a conversation as sports or weather."

The Grand Rounds concluded with remarks from Ulunma Umesi, a Clinical Fellow at the Child Study Center, who shared her own narrative of resilience and her commitment to addiction recovery support through SMART Recovery. Like Amir, Ulunma highlighted the profound power of community-driven efforts to bring about positive change.

As the event wrapped up, it was clear that this wasn't just a morning of presentations—it was a celebration of purpose. The Glenns' story, in particular, left a lasting impression on attendees. "Amir's words reminded us that change begins at home—literally," one audience member remarked. "They're not just providing shelter; they're restoring dignity and hope."

Looking ahead, Wealth Beacon Group Foundation has ambitious plans to expand its impact across Connecticut, with dreams of taking their mission beyond state lines. With their unwavering dedication and the palpable support of the community, the future certainly looks bright.

If you want to be part of this extraordinary journey—from volunteering to attending a SHINE Academy workshop—visit www.wealthbeacon.org. Because, as the Glenns have shown us, when we come together with love and purpose, we build more than houses—we build homes, futures, and hope.