September 12.2012__________________
P ,e ^ o r t i a „ h
(ObSCrUvr
Page 11
Vancouver
East County
Beaverton
Alberta
North Portland
It Takes a Village to Secure a Home
Family puts
down roots
thanks to
community
partners
It really does take a village. Five
organizations recently helped pave
the way to home ownership for a
Portland family.
Lisa Williams bought her first
home affordably through Proud
Ground and other housing partners.
Now her monthly house payments
are less than what she was paying in
rent.
“It was meant to be,” Williams
said. “Proud Ground was the per
fect fit for me and my desire for a
home of my own that I could really
afford.”
Williams sees homeownership as
bringing stability and independence
to her family.
Her road to finding adequate
housing began in 2007 when she
was a student at Portland State
University and she gave birth to her
son. Needing a stable home, she
was able to secure an affordable
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Lisa Williams enjoys the yard o f her new home with son Verondell and niece La 'breah.
Giving Back as
School Returns
Members of the Portland Chapter of
The Links donated school supplies and
stuffed them into messenger bags for
deserving kids during a recent public
service project.
The bags were distributed at Rose
mary Anderson High School, an alterna
tive school in north Portland, on Wednes
day, the first day of school.
The Links is a not-for-profit organiza
tion committed to enhancing the quality
of life in our community.
Members o f the Portland chapter o f The Links and two o f their children
pack school supplies a t Madison High School in northeast Portland for
distribution to students at Rosemary Anderson High School, an alternative
school in north Portland. Pictured (from left) are Sierra Ashley, Serena
Ashley, Barbara Leonard, Denise Smith, Cameron Smith and Karis
Stoudamire-Phillips.