Meet HOPE Resident, Veda
Veda and HOPE staff enjoying a Resident Lunch, a monthly gathering to connect on HOPE’s mission.
Veda has been a part of our HOPE community for five years. Before moving here, she lived in Lakewood with an SLS. One thing she wants people to know right away is, “I don’t look like I have disabilities, but I do.” This insight helps to break down misconceptions and reminds us all to look beyond appearances.
Life at Home
When asked about her home and community, Veda shared how much affordable housing has positively impacted their life. “It has been helpful so much because you don’t have to stress over payments and paying the rent, and it has just been stress free for the most part.” Having a space of her own, especially her bedroom, brings a sense of peace. “When the house is quiet and nobody is making noise, and when I come into my room I just look at my superhero posters and think, ‘This is my space, and nobody is allowed to come in without my permission!’” She explained how this personal space is important, especially because in group homes you often have to share a room, something she would find hard to handle.
Veda’s superhero wall inspires her every day.
Veda proudly wearing her cowboy hat and sign-language shirt.
Personal Interests & Strengths
Outside the home, Veda enjoys giving back by helping out at the Weingart Senior Center and pet sitting for friends and family. Traveling to visit family is also important to her: “I take Metro Link to see my family, and I use Access to visit my mom and take the train to see my aunt.”
Creatively, she loves drawing and has a special fondness for superheroes, especially She-Hulk. “She’s tough and sometimes I feel like I can be tough too. She helps people, and I like to help anybody that I can. If I could help anybody, I would be there.”
One recent accomplishment she is proud of is learning to navigate public transportation alone. “I felt very scared at first, worried about getting off at the wrong stop, but it worked out great. Now I do it all the time.”
Currently, they are focused on keeping their room tidy and making the house feel more like their own “by putting up pictures with permission from the other housemates.”
Community & Connection
Building connections has been a focus for her, especially with her housemate, Rebecca. “[We] had a rough time when I first moved in, but now we communicate differently. If we get upset, we take space, breathe, and calm down before discussing it again. We try to resolve issues before bedtime so the next day feels fresh.”
To Veda, community means more than just neighbors. “It means trying to get out and learn your community, because if you don’t, you’ll miss events and activities. You also get to know your neighbors and look out for each other.” An example they shared was during a power blackout, when they checked on neighbors and offered phone charging.
Their advice for newcomers: “Introduce yourself and ask if they know about community events. I welcome them and tell them about things like the 4th of July block party at the mall.”
Looking Forward
Veda has a goal that keeps her motivated: “I want to live on my own someday, even with support from HOPE.” During challenging times, they find strength from their support network—family, counselors, and therapy. “I have a lot of backup people I can call if I need to talk, and if they can’t help, they find someone who can.”
A good day for her is one where she wakes up stress-free and thinks, “It is going to be a good day” despite feeling tired.
Light & Fun
When it comes to comfort food, she enjoys a variety: “I love all kinds of food—meat, vegetables, ribs, hamburgers, and lasagna.” Her entertainment tastes are just as broad. “I love country music, superhero movies like Avengers, horror movies, and a TV show called Tracker that airs Sunday nights—such a great show!”
She fluctuates between being a morning person and a night owl, depending on plans and movie marathon moods.
If she could speak to her younger self, her advice would be: “If somebody is upset, don’t assume it’s about you. You don’t know what they’re going through inside.”
We’re grateful to have Veda in our community, sharing her journey, strengths, and hopes for the future with us. Her story reminds us of the importance of understanding, connection, and the power of having a place to call home.