Finding Home: Valerie’s Journey to Independence
“I’ve seen hard times, and this makes me appreciate the life I have now.” Photo by Robin Subar Photography
When Valerie Davis opens the door to her apartment, the first thing she feels is gratitude. “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” she says, reflecting on her journey to Over The Rainbow housing. Just a few years ago, Valerie was living out of her car, unsure where to turn next.
For years, she had worked as a hairdresser, a job she loved, building relationships with clients and taking pride in helping people feel their best. But the long hours on her feet took a devastating toll on her knees. “My knees got so bad that it was hard for me to walk around and move, let alone stand behind a chair all day,” Valerie recalls. The pain forced her to leave her career, and with it, her financial stability.
Without a steady income, she struggled to keep up with the $950 rent on her duplex. When her landlord raised the rent to $1,000, Valerie had no choice but to leave. With nowhere to go and no family to turn to, she spent the next nine months living in her car. “I didn’t want to be homeless anymore. It was already rough as it is,” she remembers. “I’d look for a gym to shower in. I ate fast food all the time. I was in pain. It was exhausting.”
When a housing coordinator reached out about applying for an OTR apartment, Valerie’s life shifted. Within months, she got the call she had been waiting for: a home of her own. “I cried,” she says. “I was so overjoyed.”
More than stability, Valerie found connection. Neighbors share meals, play cards, and watch movies together. Photo by Robin Subar Photography
What makes OTR unique is its commitment to accessible, affordable, independent living. For Valerie, that means everything. “I can fit my knees right under the counters. The shower is easy to use. The hardwood floors make it simple to roll around. Everything is open and safe,” she shares. “If something breaks, management fixes it right away. There’s a community room, laundry on-site, and even the bus stops out front. It’s just perfect.”
More than stability, Valerie found connection. Neighbors share meals, play cards, and watch movies together. “We take turns cooking. Sometimes we’ll just sit outside and enjoy the weather,” she says. “It’s a small building, and I’m glad it is. We all get along.” Her favorite part? The simple joy of cooking in her own kitchen. “After months of eating fast food, being able to buy groceries and make meals felt amazing.”
Today, Valerie calls her apartment a blessing. It’s more than just safe and affordable housing, it’s freedom. “Being here gives me independence. I don’t need a helper, I don’t need to depend on anyone. I can just relax in my own home,” she says. Her message for others is clear: never take a roof over your head for granted. “I’ve seen hard times, and this makes me appreciate the life I have now.”
Stories like Valerie’s are why OTR exists. Affordable, accessible housing changes lives.
