Danielle is a single mother of four children. She had lived her entire life in Dorchester and witnessed a rise in crime over time. She knew that she wanted a better life for her kids – one where she didn’t have to be fearful every time one of the kids left home.
“On the street I was living on, every summer there were shootings,” says Danielle. “I knew this was not a place that I wanted my kids to grow up.”
When one of her older sons got into trouble with law enforcement, she knew she had to do something. She had gotten a pamphlet in the mail about SNO Mass, a program that supports families with school-aged children to use their Housing Choice Vouchers to move to communities that offer greater opportunity. While it intrigued her, she hesitated for six months.
“I was questioning myself, and wondering if I was really ready for this,” said Danielle. “But once I looked at my children, I knew we had to do better.”
SNO Mass provides a range of supports that help participating families access and attain residential stability in neighborhoods with high-performing schools, low poverty rates, and environments that have demonstrated positive health and well-being outcomes for children and adults.
Danielle reached out to SNO Mass and was impressed by how easy the process was. “It was a matter of asking me some questions to see if I qualified, and I did. Metro Housing was on top of everything. They pushed me to make sure I had all of the paperwork in order. We worked very well together.”
Danielle moved with her four children into a five-bedroom apartment in Newton. What was it about SNO Mass that impressed Danielle the most? “It was having access to better schools mainly,” she says. “Also, just having the peace of mind of being able to let my children go outside to play without worrying, where it is quiet, and we can go for walks to the park. The change in my life is significant and my kids are very happy.
“It is an amazing program and me and my children are extremely grateful to everyone at Metro Housing who helped us get to where we are now.” – Danielle
