Blogs → UMOM New Day Centers → Success Story Update: Monica Moving In!

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After working with through the process of rebuilding her credit with the help of Bank of America Safety Net collaboration grant and Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix (NHSP), it took her just over a year to pay off her debts and move forward with the process. 

To become a homeowner through Habitat for Humanity, Monica was required to provide 100 hours of sweat equity as part of the down payment for her home.  Many hours were spent on the renovation of her own home as well as working at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. In March, Monica and her two children will be moving into their very own 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in Glendale, Arizona!

When asked about how long the process took and how much energy Monica had to put into it she said “it was worth the hard work. Repairing my credit took time, but now I have my own place to call home”.

Advice for others from Monica:

“It takes a lot of hard work & determination there are days where I just wanted to quit but I knew I had to do this for my kids and  believe me the smiles on their faces are priceless when they saw the house for the first time. My advice for anyone living in low income housing is you have to start somewhere. Don't expect things to just be handed to you nothing in life is free. I learned to get what you want in life you have to work hard for it.”

About the Author

Kristina Oniszko, Resident Services Manager
koniszko@umom.org
Kristina Oniszko is the Resident Services Manager for UMOM New Day Centers Next Step Housing Program. Kristina oversees all Program Services offered at the five UMOM permanent housing communities and contracted tenant based services at three additional sites. She graduated with a Bachelor in Nonprofit and Public Administration in 2009 and will complete her Masters in Higher and Postsecondary Education in the spring of 2012. Kristina has worked with low-income and at-risk families for five years.

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