Who Lives Here

The people who live in our community are our neighbors. We see them everyday. These are just some of the stories of our neighbors who have turned to HRB for help -- and who have helped others in return.

"HomeShare has provided a more neighborly way of life." --Kim Hendrickson

HomeShare Re-establishes an Institution

In 1921, cartoonist Gene Ahren introduced a newspaper comic strip called “The Nut Brothers” for Newspaper Enterprise Association.  The syndicate suggested that Ahren make the setting a boarding house and “Our Boarding House” was born.  The two Nut Brothers were boarders at the home of Martha Hoople and when her husband, a blowhard windbag named Major Amos Hoople, appeared in the strip it was an instant hit.

The strip fit the times perfectly.  It was common for families with spare rooms but short on income to rent to young men or women who could not provide a home for themselves.  True, the 1920s were a time of expanding incomes and extended credit but boarding houses were common.  When the Depression hit boarding houses became even more popular.  Kansas Senator Robert Dole grew up in the basement of the family home as the main floor was rented out.

The HomeShare program of Housing Resources Board takes its inspiration from this earlier tradition.  Housing Resources Board is committed to finding affordable housing for those in the community and this is often thought of as low cost apartments.  However, that supply is limited on Bainbridge Island, and there are homeowners who could afford their homes in a good economy that find themselves having trouble now.  Match a responsible home seeker with a struggling homeowner, and you’ve solved two problems for two people at once.

HRB board member Kim Hendrickson came to Bainbridge Island from Washington DC with her husband and two children three years ago.  The move was due to a job transfer, and they chose Bainbridge Island because they decided it would be a good environment for their children. It was while working on the board that Kim heard about HomeShare.  She liked the concept.  As she recalls it seemed like “a return to an earlier and more neighborly way of American life” much the way Ches and Wal Nut lived with Amos and Martha Hoople.

The home the Hendricksons found was affordable as long as they were a two income family.  When Kim decided to stay home with her young kids the affordable house was not so affordable.  The program she likes in theory became a blessing in reality.  She decided to seek a housemate and it came by way of South America with a boarder named Patricia. 

Patricia was born in Arequipa, Peru which is a bit of a Lima-Cuzco hybrid in the Andes Mountains and has a history just as rich.  Looking for assistance, she contacted HRB.  Client Services Manager Joan Marsden matched her with Kim.

The arrangement has been very rewarding.  Kim can now spend time with her children with a little less financial pressure.  As an added bonus, her kids receive a valuable education.  Their exposure to Patricia encourages them to speak Spanish at a young age.  Already her three year old son starts the day with a booming “Buenos Dias.”  It’s better than listening to the major’s tales.

 “Now more than ever community members need to open up and volunteer to make it possible for more families to enjoy what Bainbridge Island has to offer.”
--Danielle Risdon

HRB does more than provide affordable housing for working families. HRB inspires service to our community by raising awareness. This new awareness creates opportunities for residents of Bainbridge Island to volunteer or donate what they can to families in need.

As a returning board member, Danielle Risdon is a valuable asset. Danielle can empathize with families who are struggling to make it on their own. Early in her life, Danielle became a single mother while her children were only 3, 5, 6 and 7 years old. In recent years, her background as an HRB client gives her further understanding of the island’s need for affordable housing.  

As her children grew into adulthood, Danielle found opportunities for home-sharing.  Her fruitful and successful experiences resulted in life long bonds and friendships. She spoke of one particular home-share with an elderly man in Lake Forrest, Illinois.

“His daughters were looking for someone to live with him and provide him with company. I was looking for a place with affordable rent. We enjoyed each other’s time together; cooking, talking…but we also had our own independent lives outside of our shared living space.  It was ideal. ”

Home-sharing fostered a spirit of cooperation and met the needs of both parties. She encourages residents to look into similar opportunities here on the island.

“This is a time to open our doors and investigate every alternative to providing affordable living for Bainbridge Island residents.”

In her retirement years, Danielle’s housing needs changed. Both her daughters had moved to Washington and were both expecting their first child. Danielle left her home in Chicago to move to Washington where she could be close to her two daughters and granddaughters. However, affording a home in Bainbridge on a modest Social Security check was challenging.

 All this changed when a friend of her daughter’s referred her to HRB.

 “Because of HRB I have a beautiful home that I can be proud of. I am an integral part in the lives of my children and grandchildren. Without HRB’s help, none of this would be possible,” says Danielle, “As a board member I hope to bring awareness to the community that many [residents] are being quiet about their hardships and what it is like to be struggling.”

“HRB helped us find and maintain a home during the most challenging times for our family.” --Mohamad Ramadan

To understand the value of HRB in our community we only need to hear the stories from the very people the program has benefited. The Ramadan family is just one of the many families whose lives have improved due to HRB involvement.

In 2000 the Ramadan’s embarked on the hopeful but challenging journey of moving their family from Lebanon to Bainbridge Island where Mohamad Ramadan was offered a job working at his brother’s restaurant, the Pleasant Beach Bistro. His wife Sawsan stayed in Lebanon to give birth to their son, Hassan, and it would be another seven months before all three were reunited.

Over the next five years, the Ramadan’s had become established in the community and had had two more children. But when Mohamad’s brother sold the restaurant in 2005, the Ramadan family faced new and unexpected challenges.

HRB was there to help make this trying period of time manageable for the Ramadan’s by helping to provide affordable housing.

“The staff at HRB was very nice and helpful. Even with all the paperwork, things went smoothly. They were there for us when we most needed help.”

The Ramadans faced challenges that none of us are immune to; relocating for work opportunities, loss of employment, and change in family size are all circumstances that HRB empathizes with. HRB is uniquely positioned to help families through these difficult times.

The Ramadans found new employment at a local restaurant and the family now lives in a home that suits their family’s growing needs.

“Our children now have a safe place to live and to play. They have a yard, a nearby baseball field and a park to enjoy.”

Because of HRB the community of Bainbridge Island has gained a family whose background brings diversity and whose valuable experience highlights the need for organizations such as HRB during these financially vulnerable times.

"Now I hope to own my own home so that I can continue to build a better life for myself and my daughters. Thanks to HRB I believe I can make this dream a reality." --Jennifer Dixon

Jennifer moved to Bainbridge Island 12 years ago with her husband where she pursued her Bachelors in Science Degree in Accounting at Seattle University. She left the university shortly when she had her first daughter, Nicolette. About four years later her second daughter, Olivia was born. As a mother of two, Bainbridge provided a safe environment and education for her family.

In 2004, Jennifer's marriage ended. Jobless and homeless, she and her daughters needed food and a safe, warm place to sleep. At first, they lived in HRB's transitional housing at Island Home through the Stepping Stones program by Helpline House. Jennifer found employment as a part-time cook at Woodward Middle School, and eventually rented an affordable HRB apartment at Western View Terrace.

Jennifer now works as Facilities Administrative Assistant at Islandwood, helping Bainbridge Island move toward a more sustainable future. She's especially interested in the 48 homes HRB is building on six donated acres of land on Ferncliff Avenue. The homes there will be sustainable and affordable, built around ideas of green design and low impact development. "Now I hope to own my own home so that I can continue to build a better life for myself and my daughters. Thanks to HRB I believe I can make this dream a reality."