A Cinderella Story- First Time Homeowners

"I learned early in life, if you want something, you had better make some noise" -Malcom X

 

Thanks for stopping by! My name is Constance Swain, and I'm fundraising on behalf of two of the hardest working, most deserving people I know, my parents.

 

It's no secret that there are endless racial disparities regarding homeownership in this country. That old saying, "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" surely neglects to acknowledge a sad, but systemic and deeply rooted truth - they weren't talking about colored folks. This "concept" fails to recognize the incessant limitations, glass ceilings, and blockades placed upon black and brown folks from the second they're conceived. If you don't know about it... do a quick Google search. Or simply look around you.

 

And still, given those givens, we persist. We hustle. By any means necessary.

 

It is my honor and great privilege to share that after 30+ years of savings and setbacks, my parents, come July 2022, will be FIRST TIME HOMEOWNERS! Let me say that again for the folks in the back. After 30+ years of savings and setbacks, my parents, come July 2022, will be FIRST TIME HOMEOWNERS! And what a tremendous accomplishment.

 

A bit of background. My mom became a parent to my sister and I at a young age. My sister was born with disabilities. And as you can imagine, for a young, black, single mom in the ‘90s, there were a number of challenges and hardships she endured. Yet given those givens, she persisted. She hustled. By any means necessary. There was no job beneath her. If it meant means for protecting and providing for her children, she did it. With the utmost integrity. She scrubbed toilets, swept floors, all so that we could have a shot at something beyond.

 

And while my mom seemed to somehow do the impossible, along the way, she was met with an equal and opposite force, my (step)dad. It is without question that his presence enriches all of our lives. Aside from my mom, he is undoubtably the hardest working, kindest soul you’ll ever meet. He has a rectitude and a character that’s unmatched. And should you ever cross paths, you’re welcome.

 

Now that you have some context, let me tell you why we’re all gathered. We’ve already covered the remarkable accomplishment that is my parents’ homeownership. But there’s more to it than that. A home also calls for furnishings.

 

**Quick side note: as far back as I can remember, my mom would take my sister and I to Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, West Elm, you name it. We never left with anything, we’d just go and gander. But I recently realized (which led me to start this GOFUNDME) that my mom was doing more than gandering… she was lost in daydream. Painting the images in her head of just how that cookware might hang over her stove or how she’d decorate that table for a big Christmas dinner. She was living her Cinderella fantasy. But eventually, we’d leave. And just like Cinderella, she returned to a very different reality.

 

Wrapping back to why we’re gathered. After 30+ years of saving, I believe that my parents deserve not just a house, but their dream home. They deserve their flowers, and I can’t think of a better way than this. If you find it in your heart to give- no matter how much or little, we would be eternally grateful. And I know times are tough, so if you don’t have it to give, I just ask that you share this post on your social media platforms.

 

Malcolm X said, “If you want something, you had better make some noise.” Please join me in making some noise for two incredibly worthy people.

 

 

XOXO,

 

Constance

My Parents, Lionel, & Me outside of their new home.

My awesome big sister.

My mom, swaggy grandmother, and pops.