ACCESSIBILITY = OPPORTUNITIES

For the past 12 years, Faduma Mohamed, a mother of five children, has called Ames Lake Neighborhood her home.

Situated on St. Paul’s Eastside, Ames Lake Neighborhood is a 356-unit affordable housing complex rich in resources and support thanks to the onsite programs and services provided by Opportunity Neighborhood.

Years ago when Faduma’s children were young, she attended the weekly childhood program called Birth to 5 in the onsite community center. Held in collaboration with the Montessori Center of Minnesota, young children have an opportunity to engage in developmental and literacy activities individually, with their peers and with their parents. Parents were also able to meet with one another to provide support and build relationships….one of Faduma’s favorite parts of the program.

Faduma’s youngest daughter, Noel, is actively involved in Ames After Hours, the onsite out-of-school time program where she participates life skills and recreational programming, but also receives homework help and is enrolled in the literacy program. “Noel is bright, helpful and sweet student. She is a pleasure to have in the program.” beams Ames After Hours Program Coordinator, Chan Chamrong.

The homework help and literacy program have been very important to Noel’s education. Faduma doesn’t have a driver’s license or vehicle. This creates a barrier to access services for herself and her family. With both a homework help and literacy program available onsite at Ames Lake, Faduma doesn’t have to worry about how she will get Noel to the program. “I walk Noel to the program, go home and do a few chores, then walk back to pick her up. I have friends who don’t live at Ames Lake and they have to take their child somewhere else and pay for homework help. The programs here don’t cost anything and are easy to get to.” says Faduma.

Accessibility is important in other ways too. When Faduma needs assistance understanding important forms and documents, Resident Services Coordinator, Chan Chamrong, is willing to help. It’s the same with the need to have information copies, printed or faxed. The Resident Services Coordinator is available to make this tasks achievable. This may seem like an insignificant task, but it is a real barrier for people who are not native English speakers or have limited transportation.

When asked what she would tell others about the services and programs at Ames Lake Neighborhood, Faduma responded, “It’s a great opportunity for residents. The programs are free, easy to access and are run by good people who I trust.” When asked what she would tell donors, Faduma responded, “The low-income people that live here need help and money spent on these program does not go to waste. They are doing something good in the community!”