Meet Maseray—Mother, Immigrant, Empowered Resident (Story 37/40)
Maseray Koroma doesn’t give up.
Born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Maseray ran a thriving small goods trading business from her home before being displaced and starting her life in City Heights.
“I feel so comfortable and happy now,” she said with a smile. “Metro Villas was my first home after coming to the United States.”
Metro Villas is a lovely affordable housing property of 120 units, see photos of the property below.
Maseray was recently able to move out of our affordable housing and into a new apartment. She works as a caregiver for elderly residents.
“The work was so difficult during COVID. Caring for the elderly isn’t difficult, in fact I enjoy it, but the pandemic made it more challenging.” Maseray grew up in a culture that highly values the elderly, and she feels she learned how to respect and appreciate senior adults as a young woman in Sierra Leone.
“I tell the elderly people I work with, I am glad to make money but my greatest blessing is getting to work with elderly people. To work with children is a blessing, to work with elderly is a blessing. I am grateful for my work.”
Our Resident Services team works closely with residents to do much more than just meet basic needs. Anthonia Agoh, Resident Services Coordinator at Metro Villas, understands what it’s like to lose home and then fight tooth-and-nail to find it again.
“I came as an immigrant. I was working, and I love working, and Anthonia encouraged me to consider renting my own place and moving out of affordable housing,” Maseray shared. “Any time I was unsure or needing encouragement, Anthonia was there to support me. I told her I wanted to work hard and have my own home, and she helped make it possible. Anthonia knows how to motivate people toward good things.”
Congratulations to Maseray for her new home, and thank you to Anthonia for the encouragement and guidance she provides to residents!
When you donate this end of year, you’re supporting residents as they build a life for themselves and their families. You’re keeping people safely housed and thriving as they work to thrive! Donate below to support our work alongside amazing residents like Maseray.