Karin

Karin is a soft-spoken, reserved young woman who enjoys swimming and sports, going to dances and spending time with her close knit family. She has had several jobs in her home town of Concord: working in a Pizza Hut and in the meal program at a local day care center. Since purchasing her home, Karin has started working with children in another local day care cetner. She is a person who likes to be organized and to deal with things in an effective manner. She lives with a house mate, who helps her plan time, prepare meals, keep appointments, shop and pay her bills.

Karin's planning group consisted of her roommate, her mother and stepfather, her father, some family friends she has known for years, her roommate and her case manager from the area agency. Her new home is just around the corner from the house she grew up in, so Karin can easily find her way around and receive support from her family in the neighborhood which builds her own independence. Because the location offered such a valuable balance of safety and independence, Karin's team was committed to making this home work for her, even though it needed extensive restoration (over $20,000). The condition of the home actually worked in Karin's favor in that she was able to purchase the foreclosed property at an affordable price ($40,000) and access HOPE 3 is a federal program which makes funds available for the restoration of foreclosed properties. Since the bedrooms were quite small, the rehabilitation money was used to expand one bedroom for Karin. In addition, the kitchen was renovated, making it more spacious and convenient.

Karin's former roommate decided not to move with Karin into their new home, but remains a friend who visits frequently. Karin's planning group helped her to find a new roommate quickly by thinking about the people she knew in the community.