Refugee Family Gets One Step Closer To The American Dream

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- After traveling more than 5,000 miles, one Baltimore family can finally say they are home.

Amy Yensi has more on why that journey is so special.

Buying a home goes hand-in-hand with the American dream but in this case, it also represents possibilities for the entire city.

For Adote Akwei, the journey spanned two continents. After fleeing his native country Togo in west Africa, he can finally say he's home.

"What drove me out of my country is persecution so, for me, the dream here includes peace of mind," he said.

The human rights activist turned refugee can now add homeowner to the list---something his family has longed for since arriving in the US more than a decade ago.

"I love the space. I'm no more restricted in a small apartment. I have my freedom. I can do whatever I want here," said Tele Akwei.

Over 15 million people across the world live as refugees. Each year, fewer than one percent qualify to get a chance to restart their lives here in the US.

The Akweis had help from a first time homebuyers' program run by the International Rescue Committee in Baltimore and help from the city and private grants. It's all part of the mayor's initiative to attract 10,000 new families to Baltimore by 2022.

"Families like the Akweis have the ability to put down roots while further strengthening the community and strengthening our city," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

"They get jobs, they rent homes, they buy homes, they pay taxes and stimulate the economy," said IRC Executive Director Ruben Chandrasekar.

The Akweis are still adjusting.

"We thought it was like the American slogan: buy one and get one free," they said.

But they hope to leave their mark on the new place they call home.

Participants in the program must complete financial aid and home-buying classes, as well as save some of their own money.

The IRC in Baltimore resettles about 800 people in and around the city every year.