The Amris Foundation is new, but the work behind it has been decades in the making. For more than 30 years, Christopher C. Avent Sr. has served Chicagoland communities through mentorship, financial education, workforce development, and community leadership.
For more than 30 years, Christopher C. Avent Sr. has mentored young people through personal development, financial awareness, career preparation, discipline, leadership, and major life transitions.
His approach to mentorship is built on consistency, accountability, trust, and helping young people recognize their potential before they can fully see it in themselves.
Mentee of eight years, pursuing a career in the Navy and cybersecurity
“Chris saw my potential long before I did, and he refused to let me settle for less than what I was capable of. Through his guidance, I learned to build confidence, stay focused, and carry myself with purpose.
His belief in me helped me believe in myself.”
Mentee of nearly six years and a United States Marine
“Before meeting Mr. Avent, I was not blessed to have many positive male role models. Then one happened to move right next door.
Through his guidance, I developed confidence, financial awareness, and the discipline that helped me graduate with honors and continue my journey in the United States Marine Corps.”
For more than three decades, Christopher C. Avent Sr. has worked in the skilled trades while helping younger men develop the discipline, communication, confidence, and character needed to succeed both on the job and in life.
His mentorship extends beyond technical instruction. It includes emotional maturity, patience, accountability, respect for others, and leadership through example.
Mentee and skilled-trades apprentice
“Chris introduced me to the trades, giving me knowledge and direction that opened doors to new opportunities. He also taught me about social-emotional learning, which helped me communicate better, manage challenges with maturity, and build stronger relationships.
Beyond skills and education, Chris showed me what it means to be a man by modeling responsibility, discipline, and consistency.”
Mentee and skilled-trades apprentice
“Chris has shown me what it means to be a man of integrity. He carries himself with strength, humility, and respect, and that has challenged me to hold myself to a higher standard.
By watching the way he approaches life, I learned that true leadership is not about titles. It is about character.”
Christopher C. Avent Sr. conducted his first Financial Empowerment Workshop in 1994.
Since then, he has taught practical financial literacy focused on credit, budgeting, banking, borrowing, entrepreneurship, group economics, responsible decision-making, and long-term financial stability.
The Financial Empowerment Workshop, known as FEW, was created to make financial education understandable, relevant, and useful in everyday life.
Today, FEW is also being positioned to address the financial burdens families may experience while managing asthma and other chronic conditions, including prescription costs, insurance navigation, transportation, missed work, medical debt, and emergency planning.