She described her home’s location at the time as being, “in the heart of trouble.” Because of that, she worried constantly about their children when they weren’t with her. She learned about BRHP and applied with the hope that she and her family could experience a different way of life.

Angela and her family moved into their first BRHP home in Owings Mills in April of 2008. She describes the home they decided on as, “huge.” It was a three story, three bedroom townhouse. Her room had its own bathroom, which was something she had never experienced before. But the biggest change was for her boys. Although two of them had to share a room, it was a large enough space for both of them to fit comfortably. Angela’s oldest boy had his own room. “Nobody had to fight,” Angela said, when talking about their new, spacious home.

Their new community was wonderful as well. “Everything was at my fingertips. There was Walmart, there was Giant, there was Target, you name it, it was there.” Even when she was temporarily without a vehicle, Angela was around the corner from a subway stop that easily took her to her job in the city. Along with amenities, her boys were able to learn something about service in their new community. In the winter, Angela would have them go around and shovel snow for the elderly folks in their neighborhood, something she never would have let them do in the city. She wanted them to learn that not everything was for a profit, that sometimes you just do things to help you neighbor, with no expectation. They were also able to go to the nearby library and read to the children there.

I never worried about them walking anywhere in Owings Mills. But I did worry in the city.

Angela

When asked how Angela thought their lives would have been different had they not moved into the county she said, “I can’t say that they wouldn’t have got into stuff. Cause I don’t care how much as a mother you watch over them, somehow, someway they slip.” She went on to talk about how some of her son’s friends from Lester Morton Court had been killed or, “lost to the street.” It’s easy to see, after hearing her stories, why she was so nervous to send her kids out in the city. Moving with BRHP gave Angela and her children the chance to experience new things. From a larger home to new shopping experiences to living in a predominantly white neighborhood, Angela was incredibly thankful that she and her children were able to experience something new.

Throughout Angela’s time with the program her and her sons all graduated from college. She moved up in her career and began making more income. That increase in income, coupled with her increased ability to save, meant that she was able to take the steps to purchase a home of her own. She loves her new space and she’s grateful to still be surrounded by family.

My children got to see what was possible… It was a taste of life.

Angela