Tower Magazine - Summer/Fall 2024 - 23

Although she didn't attend Thaddeus
Stevens College, the school has
been ever-present in her life. And,
in a cozy home just a few blocks
away, lived another guiding force.
" My grandfather has been a father
figure to me, he's my hero, " she says.
" I want to walk in his footsteps, and
owning a home just like my PopPop
is another way to do that. "
WHEN THINGS GET REAL (ESTATE)
In the early '70s, the area
surrounding the College
expanded from sparse lots to a
true neighborhood as the Home
Construction Project added two
homes a year. Brooklyn's grandfather
tells her, " They gave the community
a new foundation and provided
affordable houses for people who
made a moderate income. "
When Brooklyn's grandparents
were in their early 20s looking
to start a family, the College also
gave the couple a new beginning-
and just in the nick of time. When
the closing date arrived, so did
Brooklyn's mother. " My grandmother
was still in the hospital from
delivering my mother, " she recalls
of the family tale. " So this was
my mom's first home, the one she
came home to after being born. "
Essentially growing up in that home
herself, the admiration of local
college students was elevated as
she realized all they touched. " The
cabinets. The HVAC. Everything.
Every aspect of that home was a
learning experience for someone,
and that's pretty profound, " she
says. " It's absolutely inspiring. " She
also took notice of the unending
pride her Pop-Pop took in being a
homeowner, how he " took care of
his home from top to bottom, from
front yard to backyard and beyond. "
Living in the neighborhood her entire
life, Brooklyn watched as many
more projects went from 'hole in the
ground' to 'whole house'. But in 2022,
she eyed the job site from another
perspective. Watching its progress
from 'day one', she proclaimed to
herself, " I've gotta own that house. "
Brooklyn says she connected with
the real estate agent every month
for a year, and started saving what
she could and learned everything she
could about being a homeowner.
" My grandfather also helped me
make this possible through his
encouragement because, at times,
it really didn't seem possible, " she
says. " I learned so much from my
grandfather's kindness and guidance
- he made me feel confident I
could own a home. Purchasing a
home is hard. But I will say with
patience, preparation, and prayer, it
is possible. " And possible it was. She
closed on the house December 19,
2023, and moved in the next day.
Amidst an affordable housing crisis
locally and beyond, home ownership
today is a challenge for individuals
and families of all shapes, sizes,
and socio-economic statuses.
Growing up in a socio-economically
disadvantaged household, Brooklyn
feels incredible pride in knowing
she broke a barrier by becoming
a homeowner. And she wants
to help others do the same.
" The seed that Thaddeus Stevens
planted is one that my grandfather
watered, " she says. " So now I am
able to flourish and pass insight
on to my family, students, and the
community at large in the work
I do each day in education. "
Brooklyn Smith-Jones
Brooklyn Smith-Jones and her mother, Keisha L. Jones,
holding a photograph of Brooklyn and her grandfather.
Thaddeus Stevens College : 22
Tower Magazine - Summer/Fall 2024

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