Sarah and Andy Cavallaro, homeowners since 2011, Teton County residents for over 20 years! 

Why do you choose to make Jackson home? 

Sarah: I moved to Jackson for the skiing and adventuring and I have stayed for the community of people I now consider family. 

Andy: I honestly moved to Jackson Hole to become a ski bum and successfully did so. I stayed because there is no other place I would want to raise my family. We have such an amazing community that cares.

Where do you work? What do you do? 

Sarah: I’m the executive director of Teton Youth and Family Services. My job is to make sure the amazing people who work for TYFS have the resources they need to help children and families in our community who are in crisis. 

Andy: Community Safety Network, Executive Director. Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep. Community Safety Network does an excellent job making sure that happens.

In what ways do you engage with your community? 

Sarah: I engage in a variety of ways, from my connections to the Human Service Community to my connections through my children’s schools to working on supporting political activities that I believe will make our community stronger. I feel lucky to live in a place where my voice is heard both at a local and state level, that is one of the reasons I like living in Jackson and in Wyoming.

Andy: I engage with our community in a personal, professional and recreational level. Community Safety Network allows me to engage with populations who are most marginalized and need community support. My friends, family and colleagues allow me to engage in countless social venues. And finally, the recreational opportunities that JH offers are world class. We are so fortunate to be able to participate in those daily and share them with our children.

How has affordable home ownership impacted you?

Sarah: It has allowed us to have a family and pursue careers in our community. Without it we would very likely have had to leave the area or we may not have chosen to have children.

Andy: It has allowed us to have a family and pursue careers in our community. Without it we would very likely have had to leave the area or we may not have chosen to have children. I also get to live at the bottom of Teton Pass and within a few miles of one of the greatest ski resorts in the world. There is nothing but gratitude for this housing opportunity.

What’s your favorite part about owning your home? 

Sarah: Watching my kids play outside with neighborhood kids- it is pretty neat to be able to offer them the opportunity to live in a safe and connected place where they can go to any neighbor’s door and ask for help.

Andy: Same as Sarah- Watching my kids play outside with neighborhood kids- it is pretty neat to be able to offer them the opportunity to live in a safe and connected place where they can go to any neighbor’s door and ask for help.

Please share any thoughts you may have about why the affordable housing program is important for our community. 

Sarah: At Teton Youth and Family Services 5 of our critical employees, who have been with the organization for 20+ years, have been able to participate in the affordable housing program. Without the program these individuals would most likely have moved to another town. Housing is a big issue for our organization as we employ 45 individuals who are providing front-line work to ensure the safety and welfare of children and families is taken care of. Over the years, our employees have struggled more and more as the cost of housing has increased at a greater rate than our ability to pay salaries. In order to ensure essential services like TYFS or CSN are available to the most vulnerable citizens in our community, we need to make sure there are people available to do the work. Housing is a key component in making this happen.

Andy: One of the most important tools Community Safety Network can provide victims fleeing violence is a safe place to sleep. Housing is so challenging for everyone, and most impacts, these vulnerable populations. We can provide short term and longer term housing for survivors and that allows them to choose safety now over a lifetime of violence. While everyone that participates in affordable/attainable housing isn’t leaving a violent situation, we all deserve a safe and secure place to sleep. And in JH, that can be challenging…