From Nearly Homeless To New Homeowners

"We have this huge neighborhood of need right here," Baxley said, explaining that residents don't have to get in their cars to seek help. "We have people here who not only can't speak English but are illiterate in their own native language," a particular problem, she said, when it comes to being involved in their children's education. Many of those parents are unable to read even the Spanish-language fliers that are sent home with their children.

"We have staff here from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to provide support, a place where people walk over and ask, 'What does this say?' " Baxley said.

Baxley, who took over as executive director last year, has been on the group's board of directors since 1998. She talks passionately about the specialized, one-on-one help the volunteers and staff provide to neighborhood residents, many of whom are from El Salvador and have little education.

This summer, Community Lodgings staff conducted a survey of 72 neighborhood residents, some of whom they contacted randomly during a door-to-door canvass. Others were interviewed while participating in the group's classes.

Of those surveyed, 40.3 percent said their goal for the near future centered on buying a house, 29.2 percent said they wanted to send a child to college and 12.5 percent said they wanted to complete or get more education.

"Education can be seen both as a barrier and an opportunity," according to the staff report. "The majority of those surveyed did not graduate from high school and do not speak English at home on a regular basis. [But] those same respondents also showed a great willingness to learn and take advantage of educational programs."

Despite their goals, 87.5 percent of those surveyed said they have no savings; 81 percent said they don't keep a budget. Although 75 percent of those polled said they are having financial difficulties, 50 of the 72 people surveyed said they regularly send money home to their country of origin to help relatives.

It's those kinds of problems -- a lack of money management, savings plans and continued education -- that Baxley said Community Lodgings is tackling successfully, one family at a time.

"It's unbelievable what we do," said Baxley, ego absent from her tone. "Other nonprofits are great, but I believe we do more."