Joseph Hare
Joseph moved into public housing with his two young sons in January 2009, after losing his job, investments and facing homelessness. The single father, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Franklin University in Columbus Ohio, says it was a humiliating experience moving into public housing. However, he didn’t want to worry about his children having a home and he knew that this was a spring board to the road of financial recovery. He says like most, he had his own stereotypical views of public housing, but has since come to realize that there are a lot of residents just like him - hard working families struggling to change their lives for the better. Joseph says he’s grateful that an organization like the Huntsville Housing Authority is available to those in need. He spends nearly every day searching for work in HHA’s Oscar Mason Center’s Computer Lab and looks forward to the day that he can have a better life for him and his boys. |
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Angel Pennington
Angel Pennington doesn’t look like your typical public housing resident. In fact, when she tells people where she lives, she habitually gets the same reaction – aren’t you scared? But this hairdresser and make-up artist is perfectly content with her home. In fact, she says most of the time she feels so safe she rarely locks the front door. She credits her neighbors for always helping out whether it’s for a cup of sugar or to watch her young son. And she says, because she lives in such a tight nit community it will make it difficult to leave. For Angel, the Huntsville Housing Authority is just the first step to financial security and one day owning the home of her dreams. |
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Tory Green
The 17 year old former public housing resident is most notably known for his accomplishments as an Eagle Scout with Troup 400. In fact, he was chosen out of hundreds of thousands of scouts nationwide to present the National State of Scouting address to Congress in March 2009, where he had the opportunity to shake the hand of President Barack Obama and give the First Lady a hug. Mayor Tommy Battle even designated February 23, Tory Green Day. For Tory, he uses his accomplishments as a way to show other public housing teens how they can change their future for the better. |
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Lisa Martchinske
In 2008, Lisa Martchinske was laid off at Delta Airlines. She celebrated her 32nd birthday that same year by moving into public housing. Lisa is a single mother of two and knew the most important thing was finding a home for her and her children. She laughs when she tells people that she lives in her own Beverly Hills … her new adventure. Lisa is grateful for what the Huntsville Housing Authority has done for her and looks forward to attending the self-sufficiency programs and numerous workshops HHA offers from Understanding Your Credit, to How to Save Money at the Grocery Store. She’s working towards a teaching degree at the University of Alabama and can’t wait to jump the next hurdle to self-sufficiency. |
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Rose Young
Rose is a 60 year old single retiree who loves to cross stitch and attend bingo out at Green Brier BBQ when she can. When she first moved to public housing she was worried about her safety and whether or not it was the right thing for her. Ask her how things are now and Rose will tell you she no longer has to worry about being safe or whether or not she has a home. She says the Huntsville Housing Authority gave her peace-of-mind and a community she can now call home. |
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Kevin Brooks
Kevin’s mother will be glad to show you all of her son’s awards and accomplishments. In fact, she’ll tell you that the Butler High School grad’s Valedictorian speech at graduation brought tears to most in the crowd. Kevin, who holds a 3.83 GPA and played on his high school’s Varsity Football, Basketball, Soccer and Golf teams, serves as a great role model for teens living in public housing. Kevin says he’s ready to break the cycle of public housing, go to college at UAH on a full academic scholarship, and follow his dreams. |
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If you once lived in public housing and took the leap to self-sufficiency with the help of HHA and you have a story to tell, please contact us.
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