A Place To Call Home

Last month a prospective resident arrived 30 minutes early for her intake appointment at Drueding Center.

“The buses were running early,” she told Nadia Frazier, Assistant Director of Residential Services. But Nadia thought the young woman would drive her car to the appointment and was surprised to hear she took public transportation.

“I went to buy food for my child and when I got back to my car it was gone,” she said.

No, the car was not stolen. It was towed. For many of us, having our car towed would be a minor inconvenience and a slight financial burden. But for this woman, it was much more than that. Her car also served as her primary residence and contained nearly all of her personal belongings.

Nadia continued the intake interview. She learned the young woman has very little family support and that a family member even conspired to have her car towed. As they rode the elevator up to see the vacant unit, Nadia told her Drueding Center typically does not move in residents the same day as their intake appointments.

“I’ll make do,” the woman said. “I have somewhere safe for my child and I’ll find a place to sleep until the end of the week.”

When Nadia and the young woman reached the unit, they found Warren Strobel, Director of Plant Operations completing some maintenance work inside. Before Nadia could ask the young woman responded “I’ll take it.”

“Warren, when will this unit be ready for move-in?” Nadia asked.

“She can have it right now,” Warren replied. “I’ll get her keys made.

”The young woman was surprised. She was already trying to figure out what she’d do until the unit would be ready and what arrangements she would need to make before she and her child could safely move in.

Ten minutes later she had keys to her new apartment. She returned that evening and set to work, making her apartment her own.

“It was so great to see her in her new place. She’s happy to be safe and she’s motivated,” Nadia said.

In light of COVID-19, it was fulfilling to help make such a positive moment happen for the new resident. Thank you to everyone at Drueding who made the same day move-in possible and for all you do for residents and their families each and every day.