Melody Douglass
When Melody looks at her four children, she sees a future she never thought possible—and one she fought hard to build.
Not long ago, Melody was living in a small car with her toddler son, having fled an abusive relationship and with nowhere else to go. “We were literally eating roadkill just to survive,” she recalls. “Every day was just about getting through.” Local shelters were full, and the only option was the streets, or the cramped backseat of her car.
That all changed when Melody found a home at The Parks at Fig Garden, one of Community HousingWorks’ (CHW) affordable housing communities in Fresno. It wasn’t just a roof, it was a turning point.
“Now my fiancé and I are raising our four kids here,” Melody shares. “It’s not perfect, but it’s safe, it’s stable, and it’s ours. And that has made all the difference.”
With stability came the chance to dream again. Thanks to CHW’s support and the Sue Reynolds Valor Scholarship, funded by generous donors, Melody is now pursuing studies in photography and first aid—two passions that reflect both her heart as a mother and her commitment to her community.
“I want to capture the small, beautiful moments of my kids’ lives, because they’re growing up so fast,” she says. “Photography helps me freeze time, not just for my family but for others too. And with first aid, I can protect them. My whole family loves skateboarding and biking, and accidents happen. I want to be prepared, not only for them but for the other kids I volunteer with.”
Through CHW’s Resident Leadership Academy and The Lotus Group, Melody found more than just classes, she found her voice. These programs empowered her to grow into a leader, a mentor, and a changemaker in her neighborhood.
“The Lotus Group isn’t just a leadership program. It’s a movement,” Melody explains. “It gave me confidence, strength, and a community of women who lift each other up.”
Melody is a living example of CHW’s mission: to provide more than housing—to build the foundation for transformation. She embodies CHW’s value to reach for excellence, reminding her children every day not to give up and to keep moving forward.
“I was stuck for so long—stuck in survival mode, stuck in fear,” she says. “Now I’m working toward something better. And I know if I don’t give up, I can accomplish great things.”
