The Fortune Society understands the incredible value of having a safe and stable place to call home. Through supportive and affordable housing, Fortune offers critical support for individuals in reentry, including access to an array of reentry services and programs.   

Castle Gardens is an extension of Fortune’s first housing location, the Fortune Academy. It is a mixed-use, supportive, and affordable housing residence and service center that offers permanent housing for system-impacted people facing homelessness and their families, as well as low-income individuals and their families.  

Nemiah moved into Castle Gardens in 2010 with her mom, Barbara, after living in a shelter for two years. Now, 15 years later, Nemiah graduated from SUNY Delhi with a Baking and Pastry Arts degree, with support from Barbara and the community they found at Castle Gardens.  

Upon their first moments at Castle Gardens, Nemiah recalls feeling comfortable and welcomed by the staff and residents.  

Nemiah and Barbara quickly became involved in the programs offered at Castle Gardens. Nemiah shared that her mom is an active community member, and she often joined her at events like the weekly food distributions on site, nutrition workshops, and bingo games.  

“I was a Velcro kid,” Nemiah said. “Whenever she went to an event, I was there with her. I enjoyed being with her, so I wanted to be where my mom was. I was involved in the building just because I was involved with her, and I’m grateful for the experiences I had because of that.” 

Growing up at Castle Gardens, Nemiah also enjoyed the many amenities available in the building. She found solace reading in the library, completed her homework in the computer lab and enjoyed spending time on the rooftop Sky Garden.  

Nemiah maintained a passion for culinary arts, specifically baking, that was fostered by her access to the Sky Garden. She often attended Garden Club meetings with her mom, who remains an active member of the club, and used the various fruits, vegetables and herbs in her creations. 

“Once, when we grew berries, I made a strawberry rhubarb pie,” Nemiah shared. “I also made a berry muffin with a crumble on top. I love getting to experiment with the flavor profiles and textures, and everyone in the garden club became my free taste testers.” 

After years of cooking and baking with her mom and for others in the community, Nemiah applied to culinary school. During the application process, Nemiah’s Fortune family helped her weigh up school and program options. They all helped her decide on the best choice and supported her even as she felt anxious about her future.  

“I think they knew my choice made sense because of how they saw me spend my time here,” Nemiah explained. “I was in the Garden Club and always helped with the Wednesday bags. With whom my mom is, she is always cooking. People know much she loves to cook and create things in the kitchen.” 

When she was accepted, Nemiah said the Castle Gardens community celebrated as if they were her aunts and uncles. They helped her purchase her knife kit and chef uniforms for school, and two Fortune staff members helped her move into her dorm room.