Voices of the Village

Deandra

Deandra Smith had been in and out of jail too many times before she finally said, “I’m ready to change my life.” 

“I just liked to fight, like a sport,” she says. “I didn’t know where it came from, and then it took somebody from N Street to really sit me down and talk.” 

Faith

I love people. I’ve learned it and understand life. Sometimes you just got to pour into people because they don’t have nobody.

India

You had love all around you. You had people who didn’t want to break you down but wanted to build you up, make you want something different in life. That’s what N Street is about, for real.

Symphony

They help you with a lot of things, as far as your mental health is concerned. I can go to [staff] and actually say what I’m feeling, and they understand.

Tawanda

The more I kept coming to N Street Village and doing what I had to do, I did a whole lot of changing. When I came here it was a whole new ballgame. When I came here, I got much love.

Wessena

N Street Village and Patricia Handy Place for Women gave me the courage to get back on my feet and to believe that I can survive living in a home by myself.

Patricia

This award tells me there is something bigger out there for me. My goal is to give back. Just as N Street has given to me, I want to give back to people in need.

Monica

Little by little, I started making small changes, which turned into big changes, like loving myself more, doing things that make me happy, and getting close to my family again. I started working and just became a better me.

Rico

N Street Village has helped me be who I am today. I got connected to Luther Place, changed my name. I came out as transgender and did all these cool things I never would have otherwise. Returned to my art and my music. Gave me my life back again.