Meet Angie: Energetic and Determined to Share
“It was a blessing for her to take the time and tell me what to do. She helped me get up to date on rent when I was falling behind. Most of the time, people don’t have time to talk, but Brownette took the time. She told me everything to do and all the people to call.”
Born in DC, Angie moved to Montgomery County around 1990 and has lived in the Takoma Park area ever since. She moved to Gilbert apartments around 2021 after a problematic apartment left her in a difficult situation. As a single woman approaching her senior years, Angie relies on affordable housing to maintain a comfortable and stable life.
Angie previously lived in an apartment on New Hampshire Ave. She recounts the many problems she encountered living in her old apartment. There was extensive water damage which caused mold, and the conditions of her apartment were so severe that they were dangerous for her health. Due to such conditions, Angie had bad allergies and suffered from other health complications. Things got so bad that she asked her allergist to write a letter to the property management out of concern for her health. It seemed that the mold just kept coming back even though the building staff continued to paint over it. To make matters worse, parts of the wooden floor started coming up. Angie was placed in a hotel room for six months before finally finding a home at MHP.
Angie, energetic and articulate, worked at Washington Adventist Hospital for 22 years. She did administrative work in the cardiac department, describing the unit as “my baby.” However, in 2022, after a series of layoffs hit many of the employees around her, she also lost her job. Angie described it as shocking, saying it came right after the new year.
Angie needed to start looking for a new job and needed a way to survive financially. She quickly started falling behind on her rent. Because she had family members with knowledge of MHP’s work, she thought of the idea of reaching out. She was quickly able to get in contact with Brownette, an MHP community engagement specialist and a member of our outreach team.
For Angie, working with Brownette was a “blessing.” She said, “It was a blessing for her to take the time and tell me what to do. She helped me get up to date on rent when I was falling behind. Most of the time, people don’t have time to talk, but Brownette took the time. She told me everything to do and all the people to call.”
Brownette was able to connect Angie with a variety of services to help her achieve financial stability during this difficult time. She referred her to a few local food pantries, an organization that provides free clothing for interviews, and connected her with Career Catchers, which provides free career counseling. One of the most significant resources MHP helped Angie obtain was a free laptop computer provided by Montgomery Connects. This was essential in helping her work on her resume and apply for a variety of jobs.
Angie has a lot of energy and a lot of skills to share, and she is ready for her next opportunity. Being out of work is emotionally difficult at times, but Angie relies on staying active and busy to keep her mind off this challenge. While Angie is open to jobs in the medical field, she hopes to work with children or people in shelters. She has been applying for jobs in different school systems and nonprofits.
When she is not applying for new jobs, Angie walks or runs five miles a day, takes free Zumba classes, and attends free community cultural events throughout the region. She loves all music and enjoys meeting people from different backgrounds. Angie also helps her mother who lives in Alexandria and has dealt with many medical issues.
Angie’s vitality and determination is inspiring, especially in the face of challenges. MHP serves many residents like Angie, who have contributed to the workforce for many years, and yet are unable to afford the high cost of rent in our region. Her story illuminates the need for affordable housing and other supportive services, which empower families and strengthen neighborhoods.