Stories by Us
Remarkable Lives of Ordinary People
Louise’s Story
“I never imagined they would do so much.”
~Ms. Louise La Baugh, Community Builders Recipient
After 47 years of living in her own home, Louise La Baugh had begun to face significant challenges. With severely impaired vision, she fell and broke her elbow while descending the stairs, which were in disrepair and lacked a handrail.
“I was desperate,” Louise said, “I didn’t want to move or sell my house. I didn’t know what to do.” Read More
Autumn and Lee’s Story
“Lee and I have always struggled to find housing we can afford.”
~Autumn, Patton Park Apartments resident
Autumn Gaddy has lived in Northeast Portland with her partner Lee for over 15 years. Now their child Grace, is almost old enough to go to kindergarten. Before moving into Patton Park Apartments, the Gaddys were doubling up and living with another family in the basement of an unfinished house. Although Autumn appreciated sharing child care and support with the other family, their living situation was difficult. She says it was challenging to juggle the space needs of eight people underneath one roof. Read More
Tristan and Sarah’s Story
“The matched savings program …truly has made getting this house possible for us.”
~Tristan, former REACH resident
Tristan and Sarah first moved into their REACH apartment in 2005 while finishing up undergraduate degrees and working to get on their feet once more. The affordable rent and proximity to school allowed them to focus on their careers instead of worrying about housing and transportation costs. Now finished with school, both are moving forward in life. Read More
Darci’s Story
“It was a struggle just being able to buy toothpaste and shampoo.”
~Darci, former REACH resident
Darci lived in a REACH house on SE 18th and Division for 10 years. When she first moved in, she saw REACH housing as an opportunity to escape poverty and make a better life for her son. As a single working mom going to school, everything was a struggle. Read More
Travis’s Story
“I was told I couldn’t succeed in the outside world.”
~Travis, Westshore Apartments resident
As a child, Travis lived in several different foster homes. Those years were extremely difficult for Travis. He could never count on one place for more than a few years, and was permanently separated from his family. “I went through my whole life feeling like I was alone.” says Travis “I was told I couldn’t succeed in the outside world.” Read More
Willie’s Story
“This is a happy, happy day. These are repairs that I would not be able to afford myself.”
~ Mr. Willie Rounds, Community Builders Recipient
Mr. Rounds was born in Cleveland, Mississippi and moved to Portland with his six children in 1975. He became a homeowner in the Humboldt neighborhood after retiring from Greyhound in 1996 and has been there ever since. Mr. Rounds porch was falling into disrepair when a friend told him about REACH’s home repair program. Read More
Barbara’s Story
“REACH was there to help us get by.”
~ Barbara, Ritzdorf Court resident
Barbara and Emily moved from transitional housing into their own apartment at the Ritzdorf Court in October 2006. It was a chance for their family to get a fresh start. However their good luck did not hold. Barbara was on her way to a new job when she fell and broke her leg. Her first worry was how she was going to get Emily to school. Read More
Anne’s Story
“You can’t get on your feet when you’re looking for a place to sleep every night.”
~ Anne Buffum, former Rose Apartment Resident
When Anne moved into the Rose Apartments, she was coming from a life on the street to her own apartment. Developed by REACH in 1988, the Rose was Portland’s first permanent affordable housing for homeless women and for many, the start to a brighter future. Read More
Whether you have been touched by REACH as a resident, want to talk about your recent experience volunteering, tell us why you support REACH, or share your thoughts about issues of affordable housing, we would like to hear from you.
“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.”
~ Frank A. Clark
