Olivera and her mother Milica are refugees from Bosnia who have been in the United States for more than 10 years.

Olivera, her three daughters, twins Gabrijela and Glorija, 13, Arlie, 9, and Milica moved into their home in the Spring of 2009.

“The house is beautiful,” she said.  “It’s very nice knowing that you have your own place, that you don’t have to move anymore.  It makes me very relaxed and I can think about other things.”

Some of those ‘other things’ include her family’s future, her kids and more education for herself.  “I’m planning to go back to school to be a certified nurse assistant,” said Olivera who is an assistant manager at a local discount store.

Their home has made a difference for her daughters also.

“My house is kind of a nice place,” Olivera said modestly.  “It’s safe.  The place I bring my kids from, that place was scary.”

The twins will start high school next year and Arlie is in 5th grade.  “I just received their report cards and they have all As and Bs,” Olivera said proudly.

And when asked about her mother, Milica, Olivera said, laughing, “Grandma, she’s the boss of the house.  She enjoys herself.  You know, she lived in a house her whole life in Bosnia, so being in an apartment was like jail for her.  She’s happy now.”

By Amanda Thomas