Photography by Dare Kumolu-Johnson, Kumolu Studios
Gathering provides opportunity for joy and reflection
Members of the Duke Homebuyers Club, founded in 2013, gathered for a holiday celebration this past December. The event provided an opportunity for past and present members, staff and partners to mark significant contributions and successes. With a legacy of 73 new homebuyers and counting, a number of joyful reunions punctuated seasonal fun.
“The event was beautiful. It was good to see so many people I hadn’t seen in a long time.”
Lolita Guasp, Past club member and home owner
Original Duke leader and early homebuyer share their thoughts
On hand at the event were Mayme Webb-Bledsoe, Assistant Vice President with Duke Community Affairs and one of the founders of the Duke Homebuyers Club, and Lolita M. Guasp, a Certified Medical Assistant Level II at Duke Health and an early club homebuyer. Below, their reflections accompany photos from the club celebration.
“We made lemonade out of lemons.”
In the beginning, the city and Duke partnered to help Duke employees become new homeowners in the Southside neighborhood; the effort included forgivable loans to help defray some of the cost. Webb-Bledsoe recalled, “We started sharing the information with employees … trying to reach people who were native to Durham and wanted to own. We were excited. About 125 people responded and filled out the applications. And then we found out not one was qualified. It was completely deflating. So we had to figure out what to do. Out of all of this, we started our Homebuyers Club. We created lemonade out of lemons.”
“Several partners came together, each bringing something to the table.”
Webb-Bledsoe recounted, “We created classes to help people figure out how to save, to clip coupons, to create a plan to help you buy your family a home. Several partners came together each bringing something to the table. Reinvestment Partners brought knowledge and Community Empowerment Fund’s specialty was savings.” In time, the club partnered with others such as the Durham Community Land Trust and Habitat for Humanity.
“The peer-to-peer connecting became so important.”
“The peer to peer connecting became so important, Webb-Bledsoe shared. “The group motivated each other. They celebrated individuals when they bought a home and that became a reinforcer for others.”
“The best thing about my home is sitting on my deck watching fireworks. I’m so close to downtown I can walk to Durham Bulls games in five minutes.”
– Lolita Guasp
“When it comes to getting your first home, I tell people to stick with it.”
When it comes to buying a home, Guasp said, “I tell people to stick with it. It was a long tough road. It also worked out really, really good.” When buying, Guasp recommends you get someone trustworthy to walk through the home and inspect everything and point out potential issues, like trees planted too close to the house that may become an issue later. She also advises to think about what will come next. “Even if everything is in good shape when you arrive, save because things will always break down.”
“Mayme was with me every step of the way.”
Guasp relfected, “My experience with Mayme was wonderful and she was with me every step of the way. When I went into the office, she took me in with open arms. She said, ‘let’s make this happen’. Mayme put me in touch with a lot of people around the city, and let me know about community events she thought could help me out with the process, or just with life.”
“I am appreciative to Duke and to Mayme and Autrice for opening doors for people like me who never thought buying a home would happen.”
Lolita Guasp
“I am elated to know that something that started years ago as an idea to give people hope, lives on. It has been a blessing to watch people change habits, find new avenues for revenue streams, and work with their families to make a plan to buy a home.”
Mayme Webb-bledsoe
Intake forms now being accepted
Upcoming Meetings: Monthly, April – December, with both in-person and Zoom opportunities. Fill out the intake form for the Duke Homebuyers Club 2025.
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