Leigh Montague and Zoe Bartle: A Story of Home and Hope

When Leigh Montague turned the key to her new home on a brisk December day in 2016, she stood on the threshold and wept. Her daughter, ten-year-old Zoe Bartle, squeezed her hand in a gesture of gentle reassurance.  

Mother and daughter had emerged from three trying years characterized by uncertainty, instability, and a never-ending series of moves. At last, they held the key to what they needed most, a secure home of their own.   

"Owning my home after so much instability feelt like finally finding steady ground beneath my feet," said Leigh. 

Just months earlier, Leigh could not have imagined this possibility for herself. Although she enjoyed her work as an early childhood educator, her salary was insufficient to support her family. When her marriage ended abruptly and her rental home was sold, Leigh found herself with no savings, no car, and no place to live.   

She and Zoe navigated a variety of temporary living situations until they settled into a cramped 500-square-foot one-bedroom apartment in a rough neighborhood. To create a sense of privacy for her daughter, Leigh hung a sheet across the bedroom, though it couldn’t hide the reality that although she was doing everything she could, it wasn’t enough.  

“I felt overworked and underappreciated as an early childhood educator,” she recalled. “I wanted to give Zoe stability, but I didn’t know how.”  

Several months later, Leigh received a text message from her friend Rose Lathrop (who would later become Executive Director of KulshanCLT). Rose shared a link to a home for sale; a warm and inviting house painted a welcoming shade of yellow.   

“I actually laughed,” Leigh said. 

Homeownership felt like a reality for people with far more money, security, and certainty. Even so, Rose persisted.   

“I saw the listing and knew it was an incredible opportunity,” said Rose. “So many of my friends and colleagues were Kulshan homeowners, and I knew the couple selling what is now Leigh’s home. When I saw the listing a second time, I sent it again. As a single mom, I had a personal understanding of Leigh’s struggle. Happily, destiny played out in Leigh’s favor.”                

When Leigh finally clicked the link to the listing, she was astonished to discover that she met every single requirement for home ownership.   

Two months later, in December 2016, Leigh and Zoe walked into their home for the first time.   

“After years of uncertainty, I could finally provide my daughter with what she needed most: stability, safety, and a place to dream,” Leigh said.  

A Home Providing Possibilities  

Stability changed everything. With an affordable home that offered them the ability to live on their terms, Leigh and Zoe didn’t just settle in, they began to thrive.  

Zoe graduated from high school with academic honors, earning a scholarship to the University of Washington. Now 19-years-old, she continues to excel, finishing her freshman year with exceptional academic standing. 

Leigh has also flourished.  

As she settled into the comfort of her home, tucked into a lush lot in the Cornwall Park neighborhood, her creativity began to reawaken. Putting pen to paper, she drew Home-Grown Love, a tribute to KulshanCLT and the bounty the organization provided for her family. Today, the artwork is an emblem used by the land trust to convey what affordable homeownership makes possible. Leigh has continued to pursue her artistry, and her murals and other works are featured throughout Whatcom County.  

As Leigh rebuilt her life, her career also blossomed. She earned honors in her field and became an early childhood program specialist at Western Washington University. She is now pursuing a BA in Nature-Based Early Childhood Education and is scheduled to graduate in 2026.  

A Community That Sustains  

Leigh received much more than a home. She became part of her neighborhood, and ultimately, part of a community. The family who originally owned her home lives three doors down. They share potlucks, stories, and support: ties that have added to Leigh and Zoe’s sense of family.   

In 2021, Leigh’s stepmother, Sue, passed away. Before her death, Sue witnessed how powerfully KulshanCLT transformed the lives of her stepdaughter and step granddaughter. In gratitude, and in order to extend this gift to others, Sue donated her beautiful Victorian home in the Columbia neighborhood to the land trust.   

“Access to the right resources gives access to our potential. And when families have a place to call home, they don’t just survive; they thrive,” said Leigh.  

Everyone Matters  

Leigh and Zoe’s journey is only one story, but they represent hundreds who are waiting for a chance.  

A stable, affordable home provides so much more than shelter. For Leigh and Zoe, it unlocked opportunities, offering them a space in which to pursue their creativity, explore educational endeavors, and connect with a caring community. Leigh rediscovered her passion, and Zoe launched her dreams. Both received, and continue to give back, so much in return.  

It all began with a home made possible by KulshanCLT.  

When you support KulshanCLT, you’re not just helping people buy homes. You’re helping families grow roots. You’re helping children reach their potential. Most of all, you’re helping create generational change.  

Let's work together to ensure that stories like Leigh and Zoe’s become the norm rather than the exception. As the year closes, we invite you to pause for a moment, savor a warm cup of tea, and make your gift.