From a Studio Apartment to a Place Called Home
Ms. R’s Story
When Ms. R first arrived in Syracuse, she was living in a cramped, dark studio apartment with a broken refrigerator and a heavy sense of isolation. Having left her husband and two teenage sons behind, she spent her early years in the U.S. in tears, wondering when her family would ever be reunited. Her transition began when she moved into (former) "BTB 2," a modest two-bedroom home. Rather than just being a tenant, Ms. R became a partner in her own housing stability. She didn't just ask for repairs; she asked to be taught, learning how to prevent pests, maintain her yard, and care for her home with pride.
This sense of ownership provided the foundation she needed to grow. While waiting six years for her family to join her, Ms. R used her stable home as a base to learn to drive, secure a nursing position, and eventually host dinner parties for her friends. In 2024, her patience was finally rewarded when her husband, two sons, and extended family arrived in Syracuse. Today, the family of six lives together in "BTB 1," where they continue to work alongside Building the Bridge to learn home maintenance and repair skills. Ms. R’s journey is the heart of our mission: proving that when we replace pity with education and trust, a house truly becomes a home.