I’m Luz Marcelo and I’ve lived in my community, the Oak Meadows Community Association in Asheboro, North Carolina for 20 years.
Before we chose to become a ROC in 2020, my fellow board members and I organized our community during the early days of the Covid pandemic “shutdown”. I was elected as Interim Board Secretary, and I communicate well in both English and in Spanish. I was able to explain our Oak Meadows ROC Board decisions in the minutes and explain details to inquisitive Spanish-speaking members asking for information daily. Before the Oak Meadows resident purchase took place, our Interim Boad President left our community. I stepped in to lead our Interim Board through the resident purchase to make sure our hard work paid off. The minute-taking I had performed for many months led to my having the most knowledge of the very important details needed as the resident-purchase came to its end in November of 2020.
As Oak Meadows signed the paperwork to become a resident owned community, Hurricane Eta made landfall in North Carolina, and our community was impacted. Our TA and I went to work to make sure the downed trees and standing water were addressed after the storm. I have continued to lead my community as Vice-President for several years.
In December of 2024, as ROC USA accepted the PRICE Grant check at Oak Meadow Community Association, I was asked to speak at the ceremony about the importance of resident-ownership to her community. I also hosted the Housing and Urban Development Dept. Hon. Marion McFadden in my home.
