Two years ago, Aaron and his wife, Mavis, moved to Frederick County from Ghana with their four children, hoping to build a new life and a brighter future for their family. But finding a place to call home was not easy.
The family spent time living in hotels before moving into a rental home with a difficult landlord. Through it all, Aaron and Mavis remained focused on building stability for their family and saving for a home of their own.
Aaron works overnight shifts at a local warehouse, while Mavis runs her own catering business, sharing traditional Ghanaian foods with the Frederick County community. Between working to support their family, raising four children, and navigating the challenges of finding a home, the couple had plenty on their plates. But they continued moving forward, knowing how critical finding a warm, welcoming home was to building their American dream.
As part of that journey, Aaron participated in United Way of Frederick County’s Pathway to Homeownership program. Through the program, he gained the knowledge, tools, and support needed to prepare for homeownership and take an important step toward greater financial stability.
Then came the house hunt.
After three months of searching, the family thought they had finally found their home, only to discover a major plumbing issue during their inspection that made the house unsuitable. It was another setback, but Aaron and Mavis kept looking.
Eventually, they found what they had been searching for: their dream home.
Even better, the home is in the same school district as their previous rental, meaning their children can stay in the schools and community they already know and love.
There was also a special connection in their homebuying journey. Aaron’s realtor is one of United Way’s volunteer budget coaches, so she already understood the hard work and dedication Aaron had put into graduating from Pathway to Homeownership. She knew how much this milestone meant to him and his family and was able to help guide them through the final steps of making their dream a reality.
For Aaron and Mavis, their new home means more than having a new address. It provides a sense of stability for their children and a place where their family can put down roots. It also gives Aaron and Mavis a home base as they continue building their careers and businesses.
Aaron and Mavis are now the 35th graduates of United Way of Frederick County’s Pathway to Homeownership program, a milestone that represents not only their hard work, but what can happen when determination is met with the right resources and a community invested in their success.
Their story is a reminder that the path to homeownership isn't always easy or straightforward. It can take persistence, planning, and sometimes starting over when the first opportunity doesn't work out. But with the right tools, guidance, and support, families can overcome barriers and achieve goals that once felt out of reach.
Through Pathway to Homeownership, United Way of Frederick County helps ALICE households move closer to financial stability by providing the education, resources, and support they need to make homeownership possible.
For Aaron, Mavis, and their four children, that support helped turn the dream of homeownership into something tangible: a perfect place to finally call home.
