As part of our Beyond Housing blog series, “It’s Personal,” we spotlight Opportunity Home employees who have been a part of our housing programs and make a positive impact everyday in our community through their experience, expertise, and dedication.
When Stephanie Rodriguez was in third grade, her family was facing many challenges.
Her parents were divorcing, and the family was struggling to pay the medical bills incurred when Stephanie had received treatment for leukemia several years earlier. They had just moved to San Antonio, and had no family or support systems in the area.
They needed an affordable place to live, but they received so much more when they moved into an Opportunity Home community. It was rough in the beginning living in an unfamiliar area, but the Opportunity Home staff welcomed them and offered support and guidance.
Caring Staff and Community Engagement Foster Sense of Belonging
Opportunity Home was instrumental in helping her family navigate paperwork and understand their responsibilities as residents. Stephanie’s mother could not read English very well, so Stephanie and her sisters often had to read through the documents themselves, but the staff members guided them through the process patiently.
“They took a lot of time with us to go over everything so we could explain it to our mom. They would ask clarifying questions to make sure that we understood, and they just treated us with respect,” she states.
Property management made her and her family feel welcome. “They would just come by every now and then to see how we were doing. I remember one time they brought cookies for everyone. It was just really nice and made you feel like you belonged,” Stephanie recalls.
She felt that the neighbors in the community became like an extended family, spending time together, babysitting each other’s children and watching out for each other. The community made it a point to connect people with similar interests and sponsor get-togethers that fostered bonds among residents.
Experiences That Shaped Her Future
After she finished sixth grade, Stephanie’s parents came to an agreement that it would be best for the children to move in with their father as he owned a home and had more stability. Stephanie’s mother remained in public housing, focusing on improving her skills and career opportunities so she could eventually become self-sufficient. It was a hard transition, and they missed the strong community that had been their home for three years, but their experiences would have a lasting impact on their lives.
Stephanie feels that the support and encouragement they received while living in public housing, and the perspective they gained guided her and her sisters into the future. Stephanie chose to earn a degree in accounting because she felt that it was critical for her to understand how to manage her money. She witnessed firsthand how struggles with money impacted her family, and she wanted to have more stability in her life. She knew that earning a degree would help her to find a higher paying job, and understanding the principles of budgeting and financial planning would guide her to make wise choices. Her older sister, who had been involved in a mentoring program while they lived in public housing, is now a director at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Giving Back to the Community
Stephanie’s career path led her to join the staff of Opportunity Home where she discovered a passion for the organization’s mission. She realized her past experiences gave her a unique perspective that would allow her to understand and support her clients.
She recalls how supportive and patient employees of the organization were with her own family, and she tries to emulate that.
“I take extra time with clients who are struggling to understand the paperwork, and are feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes I will just focus on one item per session, and then I will schedule a follow-up to discuss additional items to give the clients more time to process the information. I really listen to them, and learn about their background and needs, and I follow up with them to answer any questions they have,” Stephanie says.
Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Transform Lives
Stephanie’s journey demonstrates the power of safe, affordable housing, supportive services and a strong community to transform a family’s life. Opportunity Home was there for Stephanie and her family when they were struggling, welcoming and guiding them towards a brighter future. Now she can be there for the families she works with, supporting them as they work to overcome obstacles to build a better life.