“It’s our story, they carried me right through”—first-time homeowner Jennifer Palmer of Springfield celebrates those who supported her journey.
When she looks out the windows of her new condo in Springfield, Jennifer Palmer sees reminders of her home country.
“I see trees. I see people riding bicycles. I see people walking. I see Jamaica, you understand,” said Palmer, who immigrated to Massachusetts in 2022. “But the thing is, the trees are not fruitful like Jamaica. And there they have a lot of parties, you know what I mean? I can’t wait to plant some flowers out front, I love flowers. And I want to get two big palm tree plants for inside.”
Since closing on her two-bedroom condo at the end of March 2026, Palmer has been settling into her new space and routines. Which include, as we learned on a recent Saturday morning, doing laundry on the second floor, tidying up (“I like to keep it pretty and clean”), listening to Jamaican music (“not loud enough to disturb anyone”), and preparing to cook a nice meal on Sunday.
“I’m making rice, peas, and pork. With vegetables,” said Palmer, a home health aide. “I think you call it rice and beans? I love to cook. What type of Jamaican food do you like? You’ll have to come for dinner.”
In the short time that she’s been in the United States, Palmer has learned to navigate many challenges on her own. After her initial plans to live with family in the area didn’t work out, she had to quickly secure a place to rent—in a new country, while working 10-hour shifts, and all without a car.
The Jamaican diaspora has played an important role in her journey—including a driver for Uber who brings her to work at an affordable rate, a former colleague who helped her avoid homelessness and establish credit, and her current client.
But when it comes to navigating the digital world, Palmer admits her challenges are ongoing.
“I’m not good with the phone. I really use it just to say, ‘Hello?’ That’s me. I’m down so far,” said Palmer, who worked previously as a security guard at a children’s hospital in Jamaica. “That’s why I said I’d rather meet here in person. I wanted you to see my home because I got it with help from Way Finders. So why not? Come and see.”
And yet she’s anywhere but down. Through her determination and with the help of several key women in her life, Palmer made homeownership happen—in a newly built condo development in a quiet, peaceful area.
“I’m in America four years now, and yes, I’m a first-time homeowner in America. I go through a lot. But I didn’t let that stop me,” said Palmer, who completed Way Finders’ First-time Homebuyer workshop in early 2026. “Thank you, Father God. This is me. I made it. I cry all the time, very emotional. I feel good, I’m very excited. And I thank my daughter so much for giving me the opportunity to be here.”
Her inner circle of supporters includes loan officer Judy King of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, who introduced Palmer to Way Finders and encouraged her to become a certified first-time homebuyer, which can unlock affordable mortgage products and down payment assistance programs. After completing the education step, Palmer connected over the phone with Way Finders’ Homeownership Specialist Mariola Jarzynska.
When Palmer had questions, she knew she could call Jarzynska for advice. What she most appreciated hearing were reminders to be patient.
“Mariola ever gave me good encouragement,” said Palmer, a 10-year green card holder who is filing for citizenship. “She’d say, ‘Jennifer, take your time, find the right place. If you don’t feel comfortable with a house, nobody is pushing you. Nobody is forcing you to do it.’ You want to have someone in the corner, where you can call her and she answers.”
Palmer also had her realtor—Huiming Huang of Signature Realty in Enfield, Connecticut—on speed dial.
“Oh, my God, Huiming is very good. I would recommend her to anybody at all. She carried me right through. She’d drive and come and pick me up for appointments, she came everywhere with me. I’d forward her the paperwork and she’d help me,” said Palmer, who has six adult children. “She’s very nice, she wanted me to succeed.”
One place Huang drove to often was the home of Palmer’s client, a fellow Jamaican.
“My client, she helped me out a lot. She knows I don’t drive, so she allowed my realtor to come to my workplace to sign papers and things,” said Palmer. “My client would say, ‘Jennifer, don’t give up the courage. Reach far, don’t give up.’ She had been through the homebuying process herself, and when I said I wanted to buy a house, she carried me right through. She and her husband are nice people.”
When asked why she wanted to share her story, Palmer makes a point of clarification.
“It’s our story, you understand what I’m saying? My client, Huiming, Judy, Mariola. They were pure strangers, but it feels like family,” said Palmer, who imparts this advice to prospective homebuyers. “Know that you can do it. You can! Yes, it’s stressful, especially on your own. But make up your mind to try. Find the right people. And push through.”