The Faces of Affordable Housing: Karen's Story

Some of her neighbors at the new Ward 5 School Apartments in Barre affectionately call Karen Snizek “the Mayor of Ward 5.” She brushes it off, but the unofficial title fits. Friendly, generous, and always ready to lend a hand, Karen has become a natural point of connection and a caretaker in her new community—just as she has been throughout her life.

In 2002, Karen was driving a school bus to Mill River Union High School and was hit head-on by a pickup truck. Injured but calm, she got all 36 students off the bus safely. She was later honored by the Vermont State Police for her heroic actions, but trauma and physical injuries ended her driving career and marked the beginning of a long struggle.

Then her son Nate was born. Diagnosed at age three with a rare and life-threatening genetic condition called POMC, his care has defined much of Karen’s life since. She’s become his advocate, educator, and round-the-clock support system. A tattoo over her heart tells part of that story: a palm tree is how she explains “POMC” to others, and zebra stripes symbolize how rare his condition is. As one doctor said, “When you hear hoofbeats, you usually think horse—but in Nate’s case, you have to think zebra.”

Karen and Nate have weathered more than one storm together. During the first summer of the COVID pandemic, they were living in their van while searching for housing. They eventually found an apartment where they stayed for three years, but when it became dangerous, Karen put everything in storage and left—never imagining they’d spend the next 15 months living in their van again.

They got through one winter on the road, celebrating Christmas at a truck stop. But when their van broke down the following year, they were left facing a Vermont winter in a borrowed, unheated camper with no plumbing. Karen, Nate, and their dog Bowtie huddled near a space heater and tried to stay warm. She cried every day.

Then came the email about Downstreet’s new Ward 5 apartments, including one with ADA access. It was the lifeline they needed. When they moved in that spring, they were greeted by a sign: in the dust of their tall windows, someone had drawn a smiley face and written, “Hi, I’m Paul.” Paul was the name of Karen’s father, a former school principal. It felt like a welcome.

Since then, Karen has helped turn Ward 5 into a true community. She’s often the first to lend a hand, field questions from neighbors, and connect with building staff. She helps keep the shared storage space stocked with free clothing and household items. When one resident arrived with vegetable starts, Karen built a raised bed out back, and together they started a small communal garden.

Her care extends beyond the building, too. She has befriended neighbors on her street, helps weed the garden of an elderly man nearby, and keeps an eye on the bike path where she and Bowtie walk regularly and greet new friends. On July 4th, Ward 5 residents planned a cookout and invited the whole neighborhood.

Most importantly, Karen has made their apartment a safe, peaceful space full of color, warmth, and light. The original green chalkboards are now part of Nate’s homeschooling setup. Carefully collected books line the tall shelves, and two cozy chairs sit in front of what they lovingly refer to as their “faux” fireplace. The quiet, comfort, and care built into every corner are a testament to something they haven’t had in a long time: home.