November 11, 2024 | Stories of Impact
Lifting Lives: How One Rental Opened the Door to Homeownership
This is the story of a Cedar Rapids man who recently rented a home from Matthew 25 and the choices he has made.
“When I was young, I made a choice that shaped the rest of my life—I sold drugs. That decision led to a 20-year sentence in federal prison. It dawned on me that I would be around 57 before I got out. During my time inside, I worked in a factory and served as a suicide prevention counselor for ten years, as well as a mental health companion. Eventually, I earned good time credits and was released early, sent out immediately into a world without any time to contact family or prepare for a place to live.
“I found myself in a seedy hotel in Cedar Rapids, surrounded by drugs and prostitution. Fortunately, I landed a good job quickly. But finding a stable home was much harder. Trying to rent with a federal conviction was disheartening—no one wanted to rent to me. I spent so much money staying at that hotel, and I was on the verge of giving up when someone mentioned a rental through Matthew 25.
“I met TonyaMarie, rental property leader from Matthew 25. She was moved by my story and went to bat for me. Even though there were concerns about my renting, she set up a meeting with others from Matthew 25, and in the end, they rented me an apartment. That decision changed my life. Today, I’ve just purchased my own house through Neighborhood Finance Corporation, a connection TonyaMarie recommended.
“Life has thrown me more challenges lately. My dad had a stroke, was living in a bug-infested environment, and struggles with dementia. A helper had even cleaned out his bank account. His property ended up on the nuisance list, and I’ve been stepping in to help him manage the fines and clean-up. My worst day outside is still better than my best day in prison, and I’m determined never to go back.
“I’m working on reconnecting with my daughter and 5-year-old grandson. Life without substance is so much better. I’ve been clean and sober for over 20 years. Unfortunately, there are more drugs inside prison than you can imagine, and when I saw those drugs flooding in, I realized the damage I once caused to families. It was eye-opening.
“Today, I’m taking care of my dad, who’s now moved in with me. He’s a Vietnam vet and suffered a serious car accident years ago, which led to his dementia diagnosed around age 60. He is only 75. Though I have siblings, the responsibility has mostly fallen on me, except for my sister who has driven from Minnesota to help with his appointments.
“Fishing is my passion, and I plan to take more time for myself now. Without Matthew 25 giving me a break and providing a place to live, I wouldn’t be where I am today. TonyaMarie had to do a lot of work for me to rent that apartment, but that’s what Matthew 25 is about—changing lives. When you don’t have a stable place to live, it’s easy to fall back into old patterns.
“I kept my apartment in great shape, and when I moved out, it was spotless. I’ve started dating again and surround myself with people who don’t do drugs. I often think about the choices I made when I was younger. But now, I’m focused on making the right ones. I’m even planning for retirement, so I can spend more time fishing.
“I’ve gained skills like plumbing, flooring, and drywall—things I learned by trial and error. I even rent tools from Matthew 25’s Tool Library, which has been fantastic. I’ve rented everything from a floor sander to drywall routers—things I couldn’t afford to buy but needed for home repairs.
“Life is good. I have a home, a nice car, and steady work. I deal with health challenges like kidney stones and high blood pressure, and my health insurance isn’t great, but I’m managing. I’d love to give back to Matthew 25 someday, volunteering and using the skills I’ve learned to help others like they helped me. I’ve accepted responsibility for my past, and I’m more comfortable with who I am now. I am determined to make the right choices for my future. Thanks to Matthew 25, I’m living a better life.”
Learn more about Matthew 25’s rental housing