Barbara has lived in her current apartment for the better part of a decade. She moved in long before South Florida CLT purchased the property when it went into foreclosure and the residents were threatened with displacement. Barbara lives with 3 types of degenerative bone diseases and lives on a fixed income so safe and comfortable housing to call home used to be a challenge for her and her husband.

“Before South Florida CLT purchased the building no one cared about the people living here.”

Thankfully, Barbara is no longer faced with that situation.

“When South Florida CLT came in, we were all finally able to breath fresh air and not worry as much. Now I love living here and the people living here are like family.”

As proud as we are to know that we’ve made a difference in Barbara’s life, she’s probably meant even more to our organization. Recognizing right away that she was the kind of tenant that really cared about all the people living at Sunland Terrace, South Florida CLT asked Barbara if she would become the onsite Resident Manager, a task that she goes above and beyond in every day.

She works closely with South Florida CLT staff to implement programs like our Community Garden, Technology Access Program, and resident engagement. Beyond that, she treats everyone living at Sunland Terrace like family: from cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for those without somewhere else to go, to opening up her house to help a young girl aging out of foster care finish her homework, Barbara is always there for her neighbors.  We’re grateful and indebted.