As Gloria Boyer steps out into the open field behind Castle Park Apartments, her face lights up.
“I am working on a grant to turn this into a holy basil garden.” Over the trees, you might catch a glimpse of Normandy Golf Club in the distance, but Gloria Boyer is focused on this acre of land and how it could change the lives of Castle Park residents. Lean and petite, she practically bounces when she speaks and makes profanity sound sacrosanct. If you spend five minutes with her, you quickly realize she is a force.
She turns back toward the massive, looming, red brick building, a former sanitarium called Saint Vincent’s Hospital, opened by the Sisters of Charity in the last half of the 19th century. Squinting to block the sun from her eyes, she points her finger toward a jutting out section of the structure.
“They used to bring the mentally ill here to hose them down,” she remarks nonchalantly. “I don’t know what happened here in the past, but I just want to bring some joy to the people who live here now.”
Directly employed by a non-for-profit called Rainbow Housing, Boyer serves as the Resident Services Coordinator for Castle Park Apartments.
“I’m kind of considered the mother figure around here, I guess,” she shrugs and laughs. But the cheerful waves of passersby and grounds men as we walk the property suggest she is exactly that.
Young mothers make the majority of Castle Park’s residents. The complex houses just under 350 low-income residents, not including minors and children who reside with adults in the building. Most seek Boyer’s guidance and mentorship, some simply seek her acceptance.
“I get it. I know what they’re going through.” Boyer packs compassion into every syllable as she speaks. “People like to make it seem like you choose the cards you’re dealt, but last time I checked, that’s not how most card games work.”
Gloria grew up in a household with an abusive, mentally ill mother and chose to move out when she was only 15 years old. She got a job at Taco Bell and paid $200 a month rent to live in a closet. Her new roommates were just a few years older.
“Most of the time, I didn’t have my biological mom to guide me, but some of the people I lived around looked out for me, they made sure I had clothes and food and went to school. Now I get to do that for the young moms who live here,” Boyer says.
With a career that spans social work, real estate, professional services and business, Boyer is well positioned to help Castle Park residents navigate their way through their own housing and job searches.
“When someone first steps into my office, I try to find out as much about them as possible, even if it takes three hours.” Boyer asks questions about their education and family background and then digs deeper to understand their true needs.
“If utilities are off for more than two days, residents face possible eviction. Rent is based on a percentage of earnings, calculated on gross income. If residents find a job making more money, they have to report their wages and their rent increases before they can catch up on other bills. It is difficult to navigate these situations when you’re already in debt and have no support system.” Boyer shakes her head.
For female residents, the challenge intensifies.
“Men can easily find quick cash jobs on Craig’s List. Businesses like lawn care and construction openly welcome male applicants but, in my experience, hiring managers for these jobs often discourage women from applying.”
Boyer talks about her residents by first name, and she knows their entire life story. She really is a maternal figure in their lives, looking out for each individual as a mother would her child.
“I want people to feel like I’m their partner. I always attached my purpose and self-worth to my work.” She places her elbows on a stack of Medicaid notes, covering her desk, lacing her fingers together. “It’s important to help people find jobs, but it is even more important to help them understand they’re good enough to contribute to society.”
This is why Boyer is so excited to start her garden at Castle Park.
“Growing something is so empowering.” She chuckles as a smile spreads across her face. “Heck, I don’t even know what I’m talking about. I’m no gardener so we’re going to learn about this together.”
In addition to the garden, designed to assist residents in paying their utilities bill, Boyer started an annual event called Castle Park Kid’s Day. Activities include firefighter visits, police car demos and ambulance tours.
“It’s a hit,” says Boyer. “And we’re always looking for more vendors and partners to contribute to the event.”
Before I left her office, she points to a collage of posters taped to the wall. One says, You are kings and queens, not just because you live in a castle.
“People may laugh but I really believe everyone here is royalty; sons and daughters of God. I just want them to believe that too.”