Sandra finds lots of happiness through her canine companions. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Keri and Sandra look fondly at each other with a bond forged by two people who have shown up for each other during some hard times. Sandra went through other case managers but somehow when she met Keri, she knew that Keri would be the one to help her change her life.

“She loves her clients; you can just tell,” Sandra said. “And she always tells the truth. I appreciate that.”

Keri lowers her head in acknowledgment; it’s true, she does love her clients. But she’s quick to return the compliment: “Sandra always showed up. She always does the work. She is on it.”

The mutual respect they have for one another might seem trivial but it isn’t. Missed connections and opportunities are the top reasons folks don’t get housed. Lost paperwork, lost phones, lost and broken relationships.

Keri is a Community Health Worker with Community Health Works (CoHeWo) – an outreach organization contracted by Sacramento County to do encampment outreach in the parkway, unincorporated county and with the multi-disciplinary teams in the City of Sacramento. CoHeWo outreach staff provide support and services ranging from helping to get an I.D. to rehousing, furnishing a new apartment or helping with a deposit. But more than anything, CoHeWo staff relentlessly show up with compassion and a drive to make a difference in the lives of their clients.

Sandra lost her job driving for Lyft at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. After 20 years as a security guard, she decided to make a change to a job that allowed her to set her own hours and income, and also pay for an apartment and a steady rotation of leased cars. When the pandemic hit, Lyft fired her. She sued for wrongful termination but the case was tied up for years. Her income vanished. Her ability to pay for her apartment and car: gone. She lost her home and her car within a matter of months and had very little money to live on. Sandra spent a few weeks on her daughter’s couch but the strained relationship wore out her welcome faster than expected.

Sandra bounced around between living in a tent on the river and near Township 9, living in the City Safe Ground, and eventually living in her car after winning her wrongful termination suit. She went through and graduated from several programs, including Salvation Army, Women’s Empowerment and Mather Community Campus.

“Being homeless is a fight, every day,” Sandra said. “People slashed my tent and stole my stuff. I try to keep to myself; I don’t want trouble. It is dangerous out here as a woman alone.”

One day, a border collie dog jumped into the back of her car. The dog refused to get out and had no collar. Sandra took her to the nearest vet to scan her for a chip. With no chip detected and a seemingly instant bond, Sandra decided to keep her and name her Lady. Sandra scheduled her for spay surgery but Lady got pregnant before that day came. Sandra was able to rehome all the puppies, except one: a spirited, split-nosed mix that stole her heart and captured the attention of everyone he met! Lucky became quite an attraction. His nasal cavities formed independently, creating a very unique look.

When Keri took over Sandra’s case, Sandra knew that somehow, this community health worker was different. She would be the one to get her into housing. Keri and Sandra looked for places to get shelter but Sandra’s situation proved difficult. Because of her two big dogs, Sandra’s options were very limited. While some shelters now accept pets, pets have historically been a huge barrier to people getting shelter. Sacramento County has been working to change those restrictions with its Safe Stay shelter model that allows people to shelter, with their pets, in individual units. No one should have to choose between the safety of shelter and their pet.

Keri worked with Sandra for nearly six months before she was able to get her a referral into the Wong Center, now known as Mutual Housing’s project “The Boulevard.” The Boulevard is an affordable housing project with 127 units, 50 of them funded by the Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health to be used as Permanent Supportive Housing for clients exiting homelessness who also have behavioral health challenges. Applications can be extremely competitive, given the incredible need for affordable housing in the region.

Keri and Sandra worked tirelessly to get all the documents Sandra needed to qualify for her apartment: financial receipts, EBT documentation and chime receipts. She was able to get into the lottery system for a unit.

“Getting an affordable housing unit requires so much work. You have to jump through a lot of hoops. So many people don’t want to do it but I was willing to. I did the work. That is why I got in. I met so many people out on the river who really just want winter housing. But I was desperate for permanent housing.”

On March 19, 2024, Sandra, Lady and Lucky moved into their brand-new apartment at The Boulevard. The County’s contract with CoHeWo paid for furniture, towels, a microwave and cleaning supplies to get her started.

“I know I am lucky to be here but I also know I earned this,” Sandra said. “I did the work I needed to do. I showed up. I checked in every week. I never gave up. And I had Keri. She helped me so much.”

Sandra is the supervisor of the Garden Club at the Boulevard. She is responsible​ for making sure the garden is watered and the children stay out of it. At night, she volunteers her time as their security guard. She hopes that she will one day have another paid job doing what she enjoys. Sandra loves to draw, paint and make jewelry. Making skull jewelry is her favorite design. Everyone loves Lady and Lucky. Lucky, with his bizarre nose, is a great conversation starter.

Sandra lives a pretty quiet life. While she gets along with everyone, she still spends most of her time alone with her dogs and stays out of trouble: “I recognize a lot of people here from out on the streets. I am always thinking like a security guard.”

For now, Sandra can stay at The Boulevard but one of her main barriers to long-term housing is that she doesn’t have any source of income. Focused on stabilizing her life, with a strong emphasis on her health, is her number one priority. Sandra has had various forms of cancer for more than 30 years. Sandra is a survivor but she knows the clock is ticking. Establishing a healthcare provider through CalAIM Enhanced Care Management (ECM) will get her the help she needs. Sandra’s referral has been approved and she is just waiting for a primary care provider to be assigned.

“I’m positive God still has a plan for me,” Sandra said. “I am not through yet.”​