March 28, 2012
®l?* Ç ortlanh (Dbserüer
Alberta
North Portland
Page II
Vancouver
East County
Beaverton
Proud Ground Serves 150th Homebuyer
Non-profit helps .
local residents
achieve their dream
K elli Jarrell m akes it clear that
homeownership is still important for fami
lies and for our community.
Even in the current economy, families
want the stability and equity-building
o p p o rtu n itie s th a t co m e w ith
homeownership. However, many fami
lies are priced out of market rate homes.
T hat’s where Proud Ground comes in.
Since 1999, the non-profit has helped
low and moderate-income families with
stable incomes and steady jobs realize
the dream of homeownership, families
like Jarrell’s.
An intake analyst with Aetna Insur
ance, Jarrell shares what owning her
own home means to her.
“Homeownership is the ultimate sign
of stability. For years I dreamt of a place
that is all mine, where I would have
independence, where my children and
their children will create memories. Proud
Ground made that dream a reality.”
“Kelli is a perfect example of who we
serve,” explains Proud Ground Execu Kelli Jarrell with her grandchildren Jeremiah, Azarie, and Deriyan. Jarrell is the
tive Director Jesse Beason. “Kelli has 150th Proud Ground homebuyer to achieve the dream o f home ownership, and
been working in the same field for 10 now her house payment is less than what she paid in rent.
years, she has a steady income, she had
a savings plan, and she wanted stability
for her family. Because Proud Ground
makes homes truly affordable for house
holds like Kelli’s, families and our com
munity are stronger.”
How affordable are Proud G round’s
homes? Jarrell ’ s newly renovated 3 bed
room, 1.5 bath, 1600 square foot home in
the Mill Park neighborhood was just
$115,000. And one of the best parts?
Kelli’s monthly house payments are less
than what she was paying in rent.
“Proud Ground helped me keep my
eyes on the prize. Through working to
gether and with much determination on
both sides I have achieved my goal!”
Jarrell said. “1 have a relationship with
Proud Ground that words can’t describe;
our common goal made us more like
family.”
Jarrell also talked about what is was
like working with Proud Ground and the
home buying process, “Proud Ground
will stand by you through everything until
you achieve your goal,” she said. “They
will help in any way they can, with one-
on-one counseling sessions, through let
ting you vent frustrations, and then they
help deal with the source of the frustra
tion ! Proud Ground helps with the entire
continued
on page 19
Spring Break for Prickly Porcupines
Zoo exhibit opens
for new arrivals
Stuck for something to do over
spring break? Make it a point to visit
the Oregon Z oo’s Africa Rain Forest
exhibit, where two African crested
porcupines, sporting foot-long spiny
quills, are settling in.
The prickly pair has been adjusting
well, according to keepers, who are
continued
on page 19
* An African crested
porcupine explores its new
habitat at the Oregon Zoo.