Star and her family at the 2019 dedication of her family’s new home on Cleveland’s west side.

Homeownership is the foundation of a stable community. Not only are residents more engaged civically, they are more committed for the long term to the health of their neighborhood, their children thrive and all are happier. Giving this opportunity to both individuals and neighborhoods is the joy of getting to do the work we do. 

Five years ago, Cuyahoga Land Bank partnered with City Mission’s New Horizons. This program works with area non-profits and faith-based organizations to find housing solutions for single mothers and families served by Laura’s Home, a crisis center for women on Cleveland’s west side. Together, our work created a home for Star and her three children. 

Today, Star and her family are continuing their success as thriving homeowners and more. In a recent interview, she shared an update on her life and the profound impact of homeownership.

A Thriving Career and Family

Star is now a housing specialist for CGI Federal, a company contracted through the federal government that assists housing authorities nationwide. Her children are also flourishing. Felisity is 10 and in fifth grade, Zyon is 8 and in third grade, and Malaya is 7 and in second grade.

The Stability of Home

“How has homeownership impacted my daily life? Well, I have a sense of not worrying about having a roof over my children’s heads and knowing that we have a safe place to grow in and that they are able to see what stability looks like and feel secure,” Star said.

Star also cherishes her friendly neighborhood, where neighbors look out for one another. Her children enjoy playing outside, riding their bikes and exploring nearby parks. The neighborhood is conveniently located near essential services like the police and fire station, providing a sense of security. “Everyone basically knows each other, and I feel like that’s a really good thing,” she said.

Lessons Learned and Applied

Star credits the New Horizons program at Laura’s Home with providing her with invaluable life skills. “Since finishing the homeownership program at Laura’s home, I have utilized many tools I learned there, and one of the biggest was setting boundaries. It taught me how to be more secure with myself and know that I can’t jeopardize my livelihood for someone else when I’m taking care of my family.”

Overcoming Challenges

Star’s journey to homeownership was not without its challenges. Living in Detroit and struggling with housing instability, she packed up her kids and moved to Ohio to stay with her father in a small studio apartment, but the situation was difficult. “My life was unstable when I moved here,” she recalls. “I had no car, no resources.” Once she managed to get a vehicle, the search for work was further complicated by the lack of childcare and a support network. Determined not to burden her father further, she reluctantly explored shelters. One shelter downtown directed her to Laura’s Home, urging her to call daily. On a night marked by a heated argument with her father, when she felt utterly defeated and considered sleeping in her car with her children, she finally received the life-changing call from Laura’s Home with an opening. “That was probably the best day of my life,” she said. “I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The kindness and warmth they showed me was calming. I didn’t know what I was stepping into, but now, looking back, I see it was all a plan for me, and I’m just so thankful for everything.”

Looking Ahead

Star’s hopes for the future are to keep building a strong foundation for her family and positively impacting others. “Sometimes I find myself talking to people and not knowing how much what I say to them matters until I see them down the line and they tell me how much of an impact I was able to make just by sharing my story, how much that helped them to move on and do something great with themselves,” Star said. “If I can tell my story and it’s going to be that one person I reach, I feel like that’s a success.”

Star’s story is a testament to the transformative power of stable housing and supportive programs like New Horizons. Cuyahoga Land Bank is proud to have played a role in her journey, and we celebrate her continued success as a homeowner and a role model for her children.