LaToya’s story was featured in our 2022 Annual Appeal.
Dear neighbor,
I didn’t think this would ever happen, but I’m about to become a homeowner in Oakland.
My name is LaToya Adams-McDonald. I’ve lived in Oakland for 15 years and worked at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital for 16 years. Next year, my two children and I are going to move into an Oakland Community Land Trust (CLT) home on Frazier Street.
With your support for OPDC, you help create a homeowner market in Oakland that prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and affordability.
I’m a city girl—I’ve always wanted to live in a city. When my rent started to go up, I decided it was time to move on and get a home. But I had really bad debt.
OPDC gave me the resources to learn how to budget so I could qualify for a mortgage. Most of all, they gave me the reassurance that I could do it, even when I thought I couldn’t.
When my OPDC financial coach told me about the new construction on Frazier Street, I went to the neighborhood to walk around. It was summertime at night, and I saw a mix of students, older people, and people of different races. I like that.
Your gift to OPDC builds a strong community. I want my children to see what homeownership means to our family.
Oakland is changing. But some things stay the same—join me in support of OPDC’s mission to build a better Oakland and help neighbors thrive.
With sincere thanks,
LaToya Adams-McDonald
P.S. OPDC’s work never stops. Become a sustaining donor to invest in Oakland throughout the year with a regular monthly contribution.