Napa Valley Community Housing
Napa, CA 94558
Testimonials
Luis Vallejo, an inspiring young man turned his life around with the help of his loving mother Ana and a caring community. Five years ago, Luis and his family were living in a small apartment in a gang-plagued neighborhood. Luis was skipping school, rebelling at home and eventually, he got in trouble with the law. When he was just 13, he ran away from home. Fortunately, he returned to live with his family when their application at one of NVCH's affordable housing communities was accepted. Moving into a safe neighborhood allowed Luis to escape the bad influences of his old neighborhood and get on a path towards a better future. With the help of Resident Services staff, Ana connected with resources such as parenting classes, counseling services and help navigating the court system. With this support and hard work, Luis was able get back on track at school and in June, he graduated from high school!
A community working together can make everlasting changes. Maria Rosas, a resident at Napa Park Homes, was first encouraged to get her U.S. citizenship last year by one of NVCH’s Board Directors, Fabiola Osorio. Fabiola works at McPherson School where Maria’s small children attend. Our Resident Services Coordinators told Maria, "You can do it." We referred her to several nonprofits that could help her reach her goal, including Puertas Abiertas and Napa Adult School. Maria began to study—hard. She studied English as a Second Language and civics for the U.S. citizenship exam. She also attended a study group held weekly for residents at the Napa Park Homes Community Room. Maria encouraged her young adult daughter to join her in her venture. On September 10, 2014, both Maria and her daughter Nancy passed their examinations and interviews on the first attempt. When they took the Pledge of Allegiance in October, they became U.S. citizens.
Maria said she was challenged throughout the process. Family, neighbors and friends cheered her on. “They said I could do it and I did!”
Martin works as a vineyard foreman for a local winery. He has three very young children. His wife, Teresa, has been out of work due to a job related injury, so making ends meet for the family on his modest salary and his wife's disability payments was a real struggle. They paid a hefty rent for a one bedroom apartment that was a long way from the children's school and had no playground. Their landlord neglected desperately needed repairs, and in spite of the crowded conditions, they felt this was all they could afford.
Then came the news that a new affordable apartment development, WhistleStop Townhomes, was accepting applications. They applied and were accepted. Now, for a lower rent payment, they have a new, clean, two-bedroom apartment, where everything works and the children can play safely outdoors in a common playground. "With the savings on rent," Teresa says, "we can afford to buy clothes and other things we need."