Brian first came to The Westerly as an employee of Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe, located on the building’s ground floor. After a conversation with Venus Burgess, AHC Resident Engagement Specialist, Brian realized the community he served each day could also become his home.
“Venus gave me comfort just saying that I could get an apartment or I could live here,” Brian said. “I just felt like I would be… welcomed.”
The Westerly is home to 449 apartments, 136 of which are affordable. Venus connected Brian with the leasing office and guided him through the process to make sure he felt supported.
“He was just so excited about the possibility of being able to live in the Westerly, a luxury apartment building, and that it would be affordable for him,” Venus said.
Once settled in, Brian took time to appreciate his new home.
“My ninth floor is beautiful. I’ve never seen the sky so open, it’s so huge. When the moon is full or half, it always seems to appear right in the center of my window. The clouds look great.”
– Brian, The Westerly resident
Brian’s experience as both an employee and a resident helped him quickly build connections with neighbors.
He also values the community events organized by Venus and the AHC team, from paint & sips to food distributions and holiday gatherings.
Brian’s favorite is “Bagel Thursdays,” when Venus hands out bagels in partnership with Food Rescue US – DC. She knows his schedule and will set aside his favorite bagels if he isn’t able to make it because of work.
“They’re really, really, really delicious,” he laughed. “It’s little things like that that bring people together.”
Brian recently transferred to a different Good Company location, but his commute has remained easy thanks to the nearby Waterfront Metro station, which is only a few stops from work.
For Brian, The Westerly isn’t just a place to live — it’s a community that supports him, balances his work and life, and provides him with a comfortable space that he can make his own.
“I’m happy that this program is here,” Brian said. “I don’t take it for granted…. it helps a lot.”
2230 North Fairfax Drive
Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22201
703-486-0626
1501 Saint Paul Street
Suite 130
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-685-0366
