Five and a half years ago, Jerry and Ann Young took a leap. With their kids grown and out of the house, they started a new chapter in life. They bought a run-down antique Tudor house in New Rochelle with a vision of restoring it. They got a good deal because it needed a lot of work. Yet it was a challenge that they both enjoyed. “Slowly but surely, we fixed it up,” said Ann, “one room at a time, one pipe at a time.”
They bought the house when Ann was working for the SUNY Research Foundation and Jerry had his own property business. They could handle their mortgage and looked forward to being in the new house for a long time.
But the Youngs’ plans changed quickly—the pandemic destroyed Jerry’s business, and Ann’s salary alone couldn’t cover the mortgage, so they dipped into their savings. When that was gone, they went into their retirement fund until that was emptied. Then they went to the bank for a loan modification, but the pandemic dragged on. Finally, when they were three months behind on the mortgage, Ann did some research and found The Bridge Fund of Westchester.
The Bridge Fund, working with another Westchester agency, got the Youngs caught up. Says Ann, “They were so kind to me, respectful and comforting. The Bridge Fund connected with Westchester Residential Opportunities and put it together and dealt directly with the bank.” Now Jerry has a new and better job, and the couple is back to tackling house projects, so glad that the house is still theirs. “I do love my home,” says Ann. “We’re blessed to have it. I hope God
allows us to keep it. It’s on a wonderful, quiet block. We have great neighbors. I will be forever grateful to The Bridge Fund.”
“I do love my home; we’re blessed to have it. I hope God allows us to keep it. It’s on a wonderful, quiet block. We have great neighbors. I will be forever grateful.”