When Alicia looks back, she describes her past as “living in a world of bad.” She faced trauma, incarceration, a cancer diagnosis (now in remission) and more hurdles than most could imagine. But her role as a mother caused a shift and she wanted her sons, A’Zierr and Jayden, to grow up with more than she had.
Alicia came to Friends Association in 2020. She stayed in our shelter for several months taking advantage of the programs and workshops we offer while also working tirelessly to create stability for her family. Every afternoon she would Uber from West Chester to Malvern for her 3–11 p.m. shift. Most of her paycheck went to transportation, but she continued to push through. “I didn’t want to give up,” she said. That determination allowed her to save what she could and transition into housing through the county’s Rapid Re-Housing program.
Even then, challenges didn’t stop. The apartment she moved into was filled with mold and unsafe conditions. But instead of being discouraged, Alicia pushed forward once again. She applied for Habitat for Humanity’s Homeownership Program and had volunteers who visited her apartment. They saw the urgency of her living situation firsthand and right before Christmas, she received the call that she had been selected for the program.
Over the next year, Alicia poured more than 200 hours of sweat equity into her future home, completing financial coaching and preparing for this new chapter. She remained connected to Friends through her participation in our Housing Stability Case Management Program and was able to lean on her case manager for small needs and support as she gained stability. In June 2025, she officially closed on her first house. “I never thought homeownership was in my future,” she shared. “It feels good to own something, to be responsible, to see my kids eat and play in a space that’s really ours. My children keep me motivated.”
Today, Alicia isn’t just a homeowner, she’s also an active member of her community. After completing Chester County OIC’s program in 2018, she was invited back as an ambassador and now works there full-time as a Student Talent Acquisition Specialist. She helps others with DMV support, driver’s education, and Work Force program onboarding, walking alongside participants who want to build something better for themselves. Most recently, Alicia was recognized by VISTA Today as a 2025 VISTA NextGen Superstar.
Alicia shared that her journey to homeownership would not have been possible without the people and organizations who have stood by her: her mom Olivia, her significant other Josh, her life coach Ms. Anita, several other family members, Javonna Wylie and the team at Chester County OIC, Habitat for Humanity, and Friends Association. She sees her new home not as the finish line, but as the foundation for everything she wants to continue building for her family.
As a child, Jeffrey G. stayed with us when his family was in crisis. His time as a resident at Friends Family Center left a deep impact on him and his future.
He has ended the cycle of homelessness for his family, continues to give back to Friends, and lives empowered by his past.
He shared this video with us.
“I don’t think you guys will ever know how much you helped me, my mother and two sisters with giving us a safe place to stay!”
Selena Stewart and her 5 daughters have been involved with Friends Association since 2019 when she entered our Family Center after struggling with homelessness for two years. Selena is a single parent with a history of trauma, substance abuse and mental health issues as well as involvement in the Criminal Justice and Children and Youth systems.
Friends’ case management was instrumental in helping Selena regain her housing subsidy, get into treatment, finding employment and actively coordinated with the adult probation and CYF to ensure her success. Once Selena was stably housed, she began to build a support system for herself and her daughters and continued to move forward.
Selena recently graduated from Chester County Probation’s Drug Court program. She received high praise from her probation officer and the judge for being a survivor and an example of a strong woman leading her family with confidence. Selena is a present and patient parent. She hopes to become a home health aide, working with others in need, specifically in hospice care.
