Building a Better Life: Dlisha’s Story

When Dlisha Buie, a 32-year-old mother of three, fled an abusive relationship in 2019, she carried only the hope of a better life and brighter future for her and her children.

Determined to turn things around, Dlisha got a job as a security guard and sought refuge at a local shelter with her two young daughters.

“I was depressed every day,” she said. “I looked for help anywhere I could.”

The shelter became a lifeline, offering not only safety but counseling services and housing resources as well. Dlisha built meaningful relationships with the staff and other mothers, and step by step, she turned obstacles into stepping stones toward a safe place to call home.

The shelter referred Dlisha to a rapid re-housing program that helped her secure an apartment in Macomb County for her and her children. However, things gradually began to change. The apartment, once a symbol of safety and stability, started to feel increasingly unsafe.

With a deep understanding of Dlisha’s situation and needs, Community Housing Network (CHN) helped Dlisha, and her children relocate to a high-opportunity neighborhood, as part of a program designed to help families with children move to environments where they can thrive.

“I thank Community Housing Network for helping me move to a safer neighborhood,” she said. “They reached out to me about the program, and I was grateful for the opportunity.”

Dlisha was one of 17,008 people CHN helped last year, investing $12.5 million into the community, so children, families and people with disabilities can live in stable, dignified homes with more opportunity for upward mobility. CHN provides program participants with assistance with security deposits, moving costs, application fees and other necessities.

Dlisha was also a recipient of CHN’s Adopt a Family program, receiving toys for her children and well-needed cleaning supplies to ease the stress of starting over. These items not only provided material support but a sense of community and care.

Now, with a safe, stable place to call home, and her children by her side, Dlisha is carving out a future full of possibilities. She aspires to become a homeowner and is working toward a career in cosmetology.

Her children – Daliya, 11, DeMiyah, 7, and Merrill Jr., 2, – have adjusted to the new neighborhood, often playing at the nearby park and making new friends.

“I feel so much happier,” she said. “I’m now in a home where I want to raise my family.”

Looking back on her journey, Dlisha is proud of what she overcame and encourages anyone facing a similar situation to keep going.

To learn more about Community Housing Network and the programs and services we offer, click here.