Housing Story:
I grew up in Southern California with a single mother of three doing her best to make ends meet and provide for her family. We always lived in small apartments that my mother could barely afford, and she would eventually find herself behind on rent due to rising housing costs that she couldn’t keep up with. When I was young, we were presented with an eviction notice and found ourselves couch surfing for a year. Everything I knew of home no longer existed due to being priced out, and this wasn’t the last time this happened. We experienced something like this again a few years later.
Today, I see how the rising costs of housing have accelerated, and wonder how many more people are experiencing the housing insecurity I experienced. The thoughts of the parents and children whose circumstances mirror that of my childhood inspire me to do what I can to ensure people always have a place to call home.
Bio:
Ky is the Operations Coordinator, working to ensure things run smoothly within the workplace and supporting our team so they can focus on the bigger picture. She has a diverse background in administration and customer service, and has found a particular calling to help serve our community. Prior to being a part of the organization, Ky worked behind the scenes at an organic produce wholesaler that is a major pioneer for locally sourced organic produce. Her time there expanded her worldview, as most don’t consider how organic produce doesn’t just mean less pesticides, it means the farmers who work on the fields and the people living in the surrounding areas are breathing in less chemicals on a regular basis and are leading healthier lives.
This past role, as well as all her professional roles and personal encounters, push her to be continually conscious of others and open to learning everyday, while her own lived experience fuels her belief of and commitment to housing justice for all.