|
|||
|
|||
| News Updates: (show all) Welcome home, Kitty! |
 |
WHAT'S NEW? Welcome home, Kitty! Saturday, April 06, 2013
Kitty Scott was born and raised in the apartments at the corner of 56th and Walnut Streets in West Philadelphia, long before they were called Walnut Hill West. She also spent some time living on the streets in this same neighborhood, caught in the downward spiral of a substance abuse addiction. And now years later, an unlikely twist of events has landed Kitty and her two children, ages 9 and 13, a home of their own in the newly rehabilitated Walnut Hill West. A self-described “recovering addict of 17 years,” Kitty has been working hard to improve her life and the lives of her children. She is currently the House Manager and Kitchen Coordinator for Women of Change, a women’s shelter in Philadelphia. Sixteen years ago, Kitty started working at Women of Change as support staff. Over the years she has worked her way up to her current position. But this job is so much more than a paycheck to her. She is able to connect with the women in a unique way, due to her own background and experience on the streets of Philadelphia. She has started an “Inspiration Group” with the ladies at Women of Change and is currently applying to a GED program. She looks forward to one day completing a Peer Specialist Certification program, “an innova¬tive program that trains and certifies people with behavioral health and substance use challenges to work in the behavioral health field,” through the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. But despite all of her hard work and determination, Kitty and her children found themselves again on the brink of homelessness last fall. Due to serious health problems, Kitty was unable to go to work, and therefore running behind on her rent. In desperation, she reached out to CPM for help, just as Walnut Hill West began leasing up. Kitty qualified for an apartment and she and her children are now model tenants at this property. They pitch in and help with picking up litter on the sidewalks and Kitty can be found (voluntarily!) cleaning the common laundry rooms at 7am every Sunday. Kitty says, “It is such a blessing to be here; it’s like I am back home again… but it is so much more beautiful!” She especially notes the impact it has had on her children. “I can really see the change in them because they are secure now. They are much more at peace, and their grades have improved dramatically. I can’t tell you what it means to us not to live in fear any more. When your housing is unstable, it affects everything… but living here really is a dream come true!” - Jessica Stackhouse Labels: Enterprise Green Communities, green buildings, LIHTC, rehabilitation, residents, Walnut Hill West |
| 2042-48 Arch Street, 2nd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 Ph: 215.557.8484 TTY: 215-496-0321 Email: ContactUs@columbuspm.org |
| Copyright 2010. Columbus Property Management, Inc. All rights reserved. |