Power Breakfast: 9 ideas to keep in mind during COVID recovery Thursday, May 13, 2021 6:00 AM Making homeownership dreams more equitable and accessible Almardi Abdalla, vice president of family and workforce programs, Oakridge Neighborhood Services Despite our dark history and philosophical differences on how to move this great nation forward, the beacon of hope and a place where dreams can come true. We are not perfect by any measure, but unlike many other nations, we are willing to confront our challenges and work our way toward becoming a more perfect union. This is the belief of many immigrant families who left their homelands seeking a new life in America. As a first-generation immigrant, I can attest to that fact. I have been fortunate to get a piece of the American dream, but my journey was anything but easy. Throughout, I experienced all types of setbacks and challenges. So much so, I started to believe that the American dream was not designed for people like me. A dream such as homeownership seemed out of reach.