Kimal moved here year-round in middle school. His mother had worked on the island and was getting married to a Nantucket man. And so, Kimal and his brother enrolled in the Nantucket Public School.

“I experienced culture shock when I first came here,” Kimal recalls. “But there was also lot of freedom. I could express my identity. The transition was difficult, but I had a lot of support and resources from school staff. They transformed my academic outlook. Teachers believed in me, and helped me believe in myself. They coached me to think broadly. I didn’t plan to go to college, but my guidance counselor encouraged me to apply. I was accepted at Bates College, and knew immediately that I wanted to study political science.”

Kimal attended Bates College in Maine and returned to Nantucket on every break. He worked summer jobs in retail shops to save for tuition and books. After Kimal graduated, he came back to the island full-time, looking for housing and contemplating the next steps in his career.

“A lot was unknown at that time,” said Kimal. “But one thing was for sure. I knew I didn’t want to live in my parents basement very long.”

Kimal was hired as a contract worker for the town’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC), writing newsletters and doing research. He pursued a master’s degree from UMass Amherst in labor studies, and continued to work at CPC for the next 10 years.

Kimal also worked at African Meeting House, where he became invested in the island’s rich African American history, as well as the island’s history in general. He re-instituted the walking tours, and guided 1,500 visitors through the museum every year. After three years at the Meeting House, Kimal decided to pursue a doctoral degree and applied to schools. He was accepted at Northeastern University’s doctoral program where he could do his school work remotely, and took a new job at the Nantucket Atheneum.

Things were going well for Kimal, but finding independent housing still eluded him. He saw Nantucket friends he grew up with go to great lengths to stay on the island. Most of them either lived with their parents, paid very high rent, or did the Nantucket shuffle. Kimal realized he would need to find another way.

Then, a supervisor at the Atheneum encouraged Kimal to apply for an affordable rental through Housing Nantucket. Kimal completed an application and several months later, he received a call he was being considered for a vacancy. Kimal met the criteria, and was offered a rental unit.

“Now that I have my own space, I’m able to study in peace and focus on my work. I’ve really been able to excel this quarter. I have opportunities to host my family and friends. I feel like an example to my peers that it’s possible to stay on Nantucket and fulfill your dreams. Without Housing Nantucket, I would have had to leave.”

“I support more community housing on the island,” said Kimal. “Just open the real estate section of the Inky and take a look at the prices. Buying a house is not going to happen for most people. We need skilled professionals to service the island, and they need a place to live- not to mention that morally, it’s the right thing to do. Our neighbors, the lifeblood of the island, are the ones who are trying to stay. Housing Nantucket allows that word- community- to unfold here.”

Housing Nantucket’s programs exist to help hard-working residents like Kimal. We are inspired by those we serve.