The thank you goes both ways!

James, a lifelong Vermonter and a resident of Creekview housing in Vergennes, is coming up on 6 years of housing with AHW. We are extremely proud of James and thank him for being a great tenant and neighbor - he has become a staple of the Creekview community.

James grew up in Burlington and after graduating high school worked for IBM for around 20 years before being laid off in the mid-1990s. Like many people of his generation, he worked hard, raised a family, and expected that dedication would provide a stable future. But life had other plans. Following the lay-off James went through a divorce and found himself moving back in with his parents while trying to rebuild his life. Then came another challenge: a cancer diagnosis.

The years that followed were filled with medical treatments and uncertainty. “I lost my hair and everything,” James recalled. “I was weak. I couldn’t do the things I normally did.” Yet through it all, James kept moving forward. He eventually moved out of his parents’ house and found another job in Vermont. He was there for about 10 years, but the work was demanding and laborious and after his serious medical issues he ended up retiring at the age of 62.

A year later he found AHW, which he describes as “lifesaving”, allowing him to maintain his independence while living on fixed income. "All I want is to pay my bills and live comfortably," he said. "I've worked all my life." He spoke openly about the challenges many older adults face, from rising housing costs to medical expenses and food insecurity. He knows how quickly circumstances can change and how important stable housing can be.

But James's story isn't only about resilience. It's also about community.

Neighbors and AHW staff know him as someone who looks out for others, keeps an eye on the property, and is always willing to lend a hand. He believes caring for a community is a shared responsibility and takes pride in helping create a welcoming environment for everyone who lives there. You’ll often find him alongside his rescue dog, Lily, on their front steps greeting the residents and visitors of Creekview.
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Thank you James and congrats on 6 years at Creekview!

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