Beyond the Bottom Line: Family First Initiative — Building Legacy Through Financial Literacy and Leadership

Givesuite features Family First Initiative founder Chris Mercer, whose story is one of turning personal hardship into a mission that serves others. After navigating instability and rebuilding his own life — moving from instability to homeownership in two years — he set out to help families strengthen their mindset, improve their financial literacy, and build a legacy that reaches beyond the present moment.

What began as grassroots support grew into a formal organization in 2025, shaped by years of lived experience, service, and a deep belief that real change begins when people are met where they are.

Family First Initiative supports moms, dads, and youth through programs like Dream Moms, LEAD, and RiSE Up Youth. Each program helps families grow in practical ways while shifting how they think about money, habits, and the future — rooted in the idea that stability is built one step at a time, and that teaching people how to grow, save, and lead creates lasting change for generations.