‘A loss is always going to be there but at the same time you still have to live life, there’s so much more to do.’

Bay Shore

“My significant other passed away unexpectedly in October 2019, and my goal was to find a stable home for my 16-year-old son and my 5-year-old daughter. We stayed with my sister and her husband and I was able to save more money and get more support spiritually and mentally. It was a great blessing to move back home.

“In 2018, Kenny and I had applied together for a housing lottery through the Town of Islip. We got approved, we were mortgage ready and we just had to wait because the land was donated but there was nothing built there yet. When he passed away, they told me I would have to resubmit all my paperwork, to make sure I was still eligible. So I did on March 12, then on March 16, COVID happened. They were on standstill and in July, they told me I had to resubmit all my paperwork again, which I did. That whole time I didn’t spend a thing, I saved my money. I was praying that I’d make it through COVID and my family and friends. Then I’m praying that I move into this house and I can raise my family. I’m praying, praying, praying. I followed up with the lottery and they said, ‘We’re up to your number. If you haven’t bought a house yet, just wait, the house is almost done.’ We just moved in and I’m still pinching myself because I waited and I saved my money. It’s amazing just to have my nieces come in here and say, ‘Auntie, this is so nice, I can’t believe it, I feel like you hit the lottery.’ I’m like, ‘I did!’ God doesn’t make mistakes and you can’t sit around and think about why and what if? A loss is always going to be there but at the same time you still have to live life, there’s so much more to do.

That was such a good feeling to give your family a sense of security. I just want someone to look at my life and say, ‘I can do it too.’

“I still have to provide Christmases that my daughter can talk about for years to come. I put my tree up because I like the lights and I decorated the outside of the house. Bay Shore is the place I wanted to be and I got it. I was number 18 in the lottery and I was like, ‘I’m never going to get a house.’ Now I’m in a brand-new house. My daughter says, ‘Mommy, are we going home?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes baby, this is our home.’ That was such a good feeling to give your family a sense of security. I just want someone to look at my life and say, ‘I can do it too.’”