For Sheresse, a single mother of three, life before the Baltimore Housing Mobility Program was defined by stress and constant juggling. “It was stressful because I’m a single mother,” she remembers, “I was paying for my kids, transportation and everything in between.” Living in an unsafe area, she carried the full weight of keeping her family stable. Then, just two weeks after a traumatic event in her neighborhood, she received word that she had been approved for her Housing Choice Voucher and would be starting new participant workshops. That moment marked the start of a decade-long journey with BRHP, which Sheresse credits for reshaping her family’s life.
Her first move through the program brought her to Baltimore County, where things immediately felt different. “It was quiet,” she reflects. Bit it was her later move to Anne Arundel County that transformed everything. “Anne Arundel County is extremely amazing,” she shares, “I have three children that went to school in different areas, the difference between their experiences is completely different. I wanted to raise them in a place that kept them on track.”
The opportunities her children have found in her new community made the move invaluable. “My son is in soccer and is an A student now. My daughter is about to graduate,” Sheresse says with pride. They live in a community where people respect one another’s privacy and step up when necessary.
“Everyone helps each other when needed,” she shares with appreciation.
Most importantly, the chaos and instability of her former neighborhood no longer define their world. “I’m thankful for the opportunity; it gave my kids another look outside of the city, outside of all the chaos. The opportunities that my children have in Anne Arundel County are amazing for them.”
Beyond housing, BRHP offered Sheresse something equally life changing peace of mind. “It really helped me. It’s so less stressful. Suppose I go laid off, got ill, I don’t have to stress about rent.” Through BRHP, she receives support for utilities like BG&E, school supplies, and access to ACE enrichment activities for her children. BRHP has also helped her look forward to envisioning her future beyond the program. “It helped me get my credit,” she explains. “I’m in the GAIN program which helps me be more financially stable, saving more, helps me with understanding how to save. Eventually, I want to be homeowner.”
After ten years with BRHP, Sheresse’s story is one of resilience, opportunity, and hope. The program has helped her build a foundation for her family’s future, and now, she’s ready to build toward her next chapter.