Teodora’s journey on Nantucket began as a waitress at quintessential island establishments such as the Nantucket Hotel, Le Languedoc Bistro, and the Great Harbor Yacht Club. Originally from Bulgaria, she quickly fell in love with the island’s charm, beauty, and community. She held multiple jobs at a time, cobbling together seasonal and part-time work to make a good living for herself. During this time, she met her future husband, Steven, who worked hard in the trades. As their romance blossomed, they secured housing through a caretaking arrangement, providing companionship for an elderly woman within her home.

Life Goals Realized

Teodora was determined to secure full-time employment in her field of study—business administration. She networked and soon found her way into her chosen profession, first as an office manager and later with the Town of Nantucket’s Human Resources Department.

Through her perseverance, Teodora not only found her dream job but also secured private housing through our Affordable Rental Program. Like many of Housing Nantucket’s tenants, Teodora and Steven worked diligently—Steven in the trades and Teodora as a valued municipal employee. They met the income requirements for one of Housing Nantucket’s rentals, designed for year-round households earning up to 150% of the Area Median Income. Soon, their dream of becoming parents came true, and their Housing Nantucket rental provided a beautiful, safe home for their child.

A Dream Realized

Over the years, the affordable rent provided by Housing Nantucket enabled Teodora and Steven to save diligently. This summer, their hard work paid off as they achieved their ultimate dream: purchasing a home for their growing family. As they moved out of their two-bedroom rental property, which had been their home for five years, they opened the door for another family to move in and embark on their own journey. This cycle of community housing investments continues to support multiple generations of working families, ensuring stability and opportunity for all.

Heartfelt Appreciation

“We are deeply grateful to Housing Nantucket for making this house our home,” said Teodora. “Without your support over the past five years, we wouldn’t have been able to save and plan for our future, including buying our own home. This place has been our safe haven as we raise our first child. It holds a special place in our hearts as our first home as a family of three, and we will miss it dearly. Thank you for giving young families like ours the opportunity to build a future on Nantucket.”

The Impact of Stable Housing

Teodora’s journey exemplifies the transformative impact of stable housing for Nantucket’s working families. Thanks to the support from our donors, Teodora and her family not only overcame housing challenges but thrived, embodying the island’s spirit of resilience and opportunity. Her story underscores the profound difference that organizations like Housing Nantucket make in empowering individuals and families to flourish and build a future on Nantucket.

Your support makes our work possible- thank you!