“Davidson is such a welcoming place. I have wonderful neighbors. This is a beautiful community that I want to be involved in.” And, she is. Mary Walsh, a 10-year resident of one of Davidson Housing Coalition’s duplexes on Mock Circle, volunteers at the library, works part-time at the Lake Norman Y, babysits for several families, and serves on the Town’s Affordable Housing and Equity Board.

Mary’s path to Davidson began in Brooklyn, NY, continued through Georgia and Montana, and included a 25-year career in social work in which she worked with abused and neglected children, homeless individuals, and disabled adults and children. Mary chose this area of NC, not far from her alma mater, Belmont Abbey College, to be near her sister. At that time, she was emerging from a “difficult situation” and in urgent need of a safe place to live. Her social work background gave her the tools to explore supportive resources, including Davidson Housing Coalition (DHC).

Staff at DHC helped her fine-tune her resume, connected her with the Y where she interviewed for a position in 2012, and offered her a one-bedroom rental. She is the first and only occupant of her unit built a decade ago.

“DHC is a lifesaver. If not for DHC, I would never be able to live in Davidson. From the support I received during the pandemic, to my newly replaced dishwasher, washer and dryer, and the relationship I have with Candi (DHC property manager), I feel safe and secure. DHC staff is really there for the residents.”

Mary continues, “People who have chosen careers for the public good, like teachers, first responders and social workers, may not earn the income to buy a home here. And this is a time when we say we want our children to grow up around diversity—including economic diversity.”

“DHC’s funding goes to change people’s lives. And, wow, has DHC changed mine!”