Liz’s Story

I came to Dream Streets when they were known as the West Nashville Dream Center. I was a newly divorced single mom when I moved across the street from their original location. I instantly found community in the Single Mom's ministry, and my children felt safe in their children's program. With the help of Dream Streets, my children were able to explore and experience overnight camp at Barefoot. The Dream Streets Staff are like family to me. They have a mobile food pantry that I could utilize to decrease my out-of-pocket grocery expenses. This was huge for me because so often, families like mine that are just above the poverty line on paper are often denied financial help to feed their families. I volunteer at Dream Streets because it just feels like the right thing to do. 

Fast forward to 2021, where many people in the country were still feeling the negative financial impact of Covid-19, I was newly married and on the journey to homeownership. Now you have to know that I thought homeownership was only a dream in America for the average family, but especially for a Black woman that had been through as much turmoil and trauma as I had experienced.  Carl and I needed a bigger place to live, but the rent was too high. We had crazy faith, and I remembered that one Sunday in Mom's group, two white men explained that homeownership was challenging but attainable. When we were ready, they would help us, moms, out. 

At this point, I wasn't a single mom anymore and wasn't sure if I would qualify for the support. However, Sam, Matt, and the Dream Streets team jumped on it, and after six months of looking, we not only moved into our first home but the first home we had built.

I was in a panic through much of the process, but TJ and my husband Carl were so confident and trusting in God. My entire life has consisted of me smiling when good things happen, all the while holding my breath waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

The family at Dream Streets has taught me that it is okay to breathe, and I can wear my shoes and walk in faith instead of waiting for one to fall.