LaVonya had an 8-year-old son, volunteered at church, and was a naval reservist. She graduated from Columbia College and promptly found a job. In less than a year, she was laid off. That same year her mother passed away leaving LaVonya to look after her 12-year-old brother. Suddenly, she had two growing boys to raise and was out of a job. She needed a home for the three of them, but student debt prevented her from getting a loan to buy a home while trying to find a new job, all at once. She felt trapped.

After finding Mercy Housing, the family was able to move into Savannah Gardens and life calmed. A rich variety of services provided LaVonya’s boys with a summer youth program, access to affordable school supplies, and produce from the veggie truck, which made routine visits to the community. It only took 18 months at Mercy Housing’s Savannah Gardens for LaVonya and her boys to land on their feet. Her perseverance never wavered. She finished her master’s degree, closed on a new home, and found a job using her degree. She deeply believes that everything worked out due to her faith, hard work, and Mercy Housing’s commitment to her family.

“I was worried about our future but found the support I needed to help my kids excel in school, find a job, and a home. It wasn’t easy, but it’s been a very fulfilling journey. I’m just so thankful that everything worked out and now I have my own home to raise a family in.”