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NeighborWorks Columbus, GA

Cozy Place to Quarantine

I have never been able to afford to live somewhere my daughter could go outside and play,” said Angela Murphy. “I have a home with a front yard, a backyard that is fenced in, and all at a price I can afford. We love our house.”

 

Angela, single mother to a 5-year-old daughter, moved in March to a NeighborWorks Columbus rental.

 

Having a quality home is important always, but Angela is especially thankful to have a cozy place to spend the days of Covid-19 social distancing, which she is taking very seriously as her daughter has asthma.

 

Angela is a Circle Leader in Open Door Community House’s Circles program; through this program, individuals work over 18 months on goals to help them overcome generational poverty. Safe, fit, affordable housing was one of Angela’s goals, which brings her one step closer to changing the trajectory of life for her and her daughter.

Vanessa’s Story: From Section 8 to School Board

Fifteen years ago, Vanessa Jackson lived a completely different life.
She had a high school diploma, was a single mom of three kids, made minimum wage, and was renting an apartment with a Section 8 HAP Voucher and poor credit. “What I believed was, I’m not supposed to be a homeowner. That’s how the system works,” Vanessa said.
It turns out, she just needed someone to see something different in her. That someone was staff at NeighborWorks Columbus.
“Once I got my house, I was unstoppable. It felt like nothing was impossible for me. I was empowered,” Vanessa said.
Her journey, which started with a simple desire to improve her credit, led her to earning a degree in Early Childhood Education, working her way up to Director of the Childcare Network and being elected to serve on the Muscogee County School Board.
Vanessa Jackson was one of the first Section 8 residents in Columbus who was able to use her housing voucher as part of her layered financing through a 15-year 2nd mortgage. As of 2019, Ms. Jackson has paid off her 2nd mortgage and no longer requires housing subsidy.
For 20 years, NeighborWorks Columbus has worked to make a difference in lives like Vanessa’s: empowering them through financial education and counseling and helping them settle in a home where they can thrive.

Success Story: Natasha Thorton Phillips

Natasha Philips came to NeighborWorks® Columbus as a newlywed looking to start her journey to homeownership. As an expectant mother caring for her aging father and teenage daughter, Phillips wanted to ensure she was making the right choices for her growing family.
Phillips encouraged her husband to participate in NeighborWorks® Columbus homebuyer education program with the possibility of purchasing a home in newly developed East Wynnton Park. Phillips and her family had ties to the community and were eager to establish a home in the revitalized neighborhood with its rich heritage and legacy.
“I wanted to be the center of it all for convenience – family, worship center, healthcare”, said Phillips. “It meant a lot to be able to live less than two miles from close-knit family.
Phillips diligently worked to pay off any past debts to move forward in the homebuying process. In less than six months, Natasha and her family closed on their new home.
Over the years, the EWP home has amassed a number of memories – the birth of her son, the graduation of her daughter and the place when her loving father took his last breath – all of which the community embraced and comforted her.   With that same community spirit, Natasha began working at the Michael B. Fluellen Center as a senior program coordinator. “I love the convenience of being able to walk out my front door to my job,” remarked Phillips. “Watching my son get off the bus and running over to Recreation Center is so rewarding and makes me thankful we purchased the right home in the right neighborhood with the right people.  Thank you, NeighborWorks® Columbus.”

Success Story: Giving Back to Veterans

Shortly after separating from the military, U.S Marine and Vietnam War Veteran Horace Jackson started his career as a master barber at Fort Benning with his wife, Maggie and three children.  For over 30 years, Jackson coiffed over 100,000 aspiring infantrymen at the military base.

Things took a turn for Horace when he  gradually began losing sight in both eyes and was forced to retire.  Luckily, Maggie was by his side every step of way as his eyes and confidante.  Maggie feverishly looked for resources to assist her husband and to rid their home of hazardous conditions – the 1970s ranch style home was plagued with a cracking driveway, uneven sidewalks/flooring and broken steps.

Through NeighborWorks Columbus, the couple received approximately $20,000 for repairs from the Veterans Homeowner Rehabilitation Program, and Home Depot Foundation to make the home accessible, safe and energy efficient.

Recently at their closing, they learned that House of Heroes had selected their home for minor repairs with an honor ceremony recognizing the former LCpl Horace Jackson for his service to God, his country and his family.

* Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

Success Story: Section 8 to Homeownership

Carneshia Burston was a woman on a mission.

As a single mother of four, Carneshia knew early on that it was ‘on her’ to provide a way of life and a solid foundation for her children. Armed with determination and a steady income, Carneshia completed the homebuyer education course through the Section 8 to HomeOwnership Program”, a collaboration between NeighborWorks and the Housing Authority of Columbus.

Carneshia closed on her three bedroom, two bath, home that her children helped pick out. Ms. Burston has become an unofficial spokesperson for NeighborWorks, recommending the Homebuyer Education program to her friends, one of whom has recently closed on her home too.

Ms. Carneshia Burston is proof that determination and diligence makes dreams come true.

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