How Candice Became the Bridge She Once Needed

When a family finally secures safe housing, this is both the finish line and a new beginning. But, behind every “yes”, there’s a quiet network of people choosing to believe in second chances. They include landlords and property managers whose impact is often overlooked.

Candice is one of them. Before she became a housing advocate for our community, Candice stood in the exact same shoes as the families she now serves.

In 2023, Candice arrived in Philadelphia with her young son, seeking safety and a fresh start after leaving a domestic violence situation. Family Promise of Philadelphia supported her with a security deposit and helped her navigate the barriers that often shut families out of housing. Candice didn’t just find stability, she built a completely new life with fierce determination. Driven to create a better future for herself and her son, she began working in property management with Real Properties. Her incredible strength and professional drive were undeniable and, within just one year, she was promoted to Regional Manager.

Candice, Regional Property Manager, with Diane, Eviction Prevention Coordinator at Family Promise of Philadelphia

With her new position, she became more than a manager. She became a bridge. She started referring families in need back to our organization. Families who, like her, just needed the right support at the right time. Today, Candice guides families through the housing process by supporting intake, navigating barriers like eviction concerns, and ultimately helping them find home.

“When we have a family seeking housing, we’ll send them to Candice,” shares Diane, our Eviction Prevention Coordinator. “She connects with parents. She understands them. She’ll call and say, ‘Miss Diane,’ and she’s already thinking about how to help.”

In just two years of working together, Candice has made a profound impact helping house more than 30 families and counting. Every time she works with a family, she’s doing more than filling a unit. She’s offering a chance to rebuild, just as she once did. For Candice, this work is personal.

“The most rewarding part of my experience supporting families is building community and giving people a place to call home,” she shares. “People think the world is filled with bad people. But, all it takes is for someone like you to do a good thing.”

That belief is at the heart of everything she does because someone once did that for her. Now, every door she helps open is a reminder of what’s possible when people are given the resources, support, and a chance they deserve.