Sally’s Place
Sally’s Place, named for Sally Zinman, a pioneer of the peer led services movement, builds on her 40 plus years of advocacy and dedication. The program provides peer support, connections between individuals with similar experiences of mental health or substance use challenges, fostering hope, mutual understanding, and recovery. Care is coordinated by trained staff with lived experience, ensuring responsive, compassionate support that empowers participants on their journey toward well being.
Kimberly’s Journey to Independence and Healing
When Kimberly first walked through the doors of Sally’s Place, she was seeking more than just support, she was looking for a new beginning. Struggling with deep isolation, a lack of appetite, and an overwhelming sense of uncertainty about her future, she knew she needed help. What she didn’t expect was just how transformative that help would be.
With the compassionate guidance of her Peer Advocate and the dedicated Peer Support Specialist team, Kimberly began to rebuild her life one step at a time. Through regular check-ins, personalized self-care strategies, and the consistent presence of people who truly listened, she started to feel seen.
One of the key turning points came when she was connected to La Familia CCBHC, a community-based behavioral health program. After more than two years of searching for mental health support, Kimberly was finally able to secure a therapist. Their efforts gave her something invaluable: a safe space to begin her emotional healing.
As her mental health improved, so did her daily life. Kimberly began journaling to process her thoughts, cooking healthy meals for herself, and participating in local community groups that gave her a sense of connection and belonging. What once felt impossible, like caring for herself and planning for the future, gradually became part of her routine.
Today, Kimberly is more confident than ever in managing her health and well-being. She has secured a second interview for housing, a milestone that reflects both her resilience and the tangible progress she’s made. Most importantly, she continues to prioritize her healing journey with the same courage and determination that brought her to Sally’s Place in the first place.
FESCO (Family Emergency Shelter Coalition)
FESCO in Hayward, California, is a nonprofit supporting homeless families as they transition to stability. Founded in 1986, it provides emergency, transitional, and permanent housing along with essential services like job training, healthcare access, and educational support. FESCO serves over 400 parents and children annually and is the only shelter in Mid-Alameda County that welcomes fathers, keeping families together during times of crisis.
Turning Challenges into Change
Jessica’s journey has been shaped by hardship, resilience, and a deep sense of gratitude. Having experienced homelessness firsthand, she knows all too well the emotional and physical toll it takes. But instead of letting her challenges define her, Jessica used them as stepping stones to transform her life and the lives of others.
There was a time when Jessica was unhoused, struggling to find stability and a sense of security. It was a difficult period filled with uncertainty, but Julia’s strength and determination pushed her forward. She sought out support, asked for help, and refused to give up until she found a way through. She learned that with the right help — and sometimes a little tough love — people can begin to rebuild, one step at a time. This belief in the power of support is now at the core of her work.
Before joining La Familia, Jessica worked at a shelter, where she spent years building relationships with individuals facing similar struggles. Her role was more than just providing shelter; it was about offering a safe, non-judgmental space for people to share their stories and heal.
Jessica now uses her lived experience to make a meaningful difference. Having walked the same challenging path, she is able to connect with individuals in a way that only someone who has truly been there can. Her insights are not just theoretical, they are rooted in the very real, very raw struggles she has overcome herself.
As Jessica shares, “The average person might not understand the struggles that homeless individuals and communities face. There’s a sense of isolation and hopelessness that many people never have to encounter. But with the right kind of support, people can turn their lives around. I know, because I did.”
Today, Jessica is not only a survivor but a beacon of hope for others. She has become a symbol of what’s possible when someone who has experienced hardship is given the tools and support to heal and grow.
FESCO (Family Emergency Shelter Coalition)
FESCO in Hayward, California, is a nonprofit supporting homeless families as they transition to stability. Founded in 1986, it provides emergency, transitional, and permanent housing along with essential services like job training, healthcare access, and educational support. FESCO serves over 400 parents and children annually and is the only shelter in Mid-Alameda County that welcomes fathers, keeping families together during times of crisis.
La Familia School-Based Programming
La Familia provides school-based programs that support students’ mental health, family engagement, and academic success. Partnering with local schools, they offer counseling, intervention services, and resources for students and families. Their programs help children navigate challenges, build resilience, and thrive both in school and at home.
From Tears to Triumph, a Child’s Path to Healing
During a recent La Familia group session, a mother named Julia bravely opened up about the struggles she was facing with her young son. His behavior had become increasingly difficult to manage, and despite her repeated efforts, she felt the school wasn’t offering the support he needed. As she spoke, the weight of the situation became clear. She was exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed, feeling like she was carrying it all alone.
But within that group, surrounded by other parents who had walked similar paths, Julia found something she hadn’t felt in a long time: understanding. In that circle of shared experience, there was no judgment. Only listening, empathy, and encouragement. For the first time in a while, she felt truly heard.
That moment of connection became a turning point. Supported by the group and guided by the tools and encouragement offered during the session, Julia began to see a path forward. She realized that her concerns were valid and that she had every right to speak up on behalf of her child.
Shortly afterward, Julia took a powerful and courageous step. She went directly to her son’s school to advocate for him and her family. This time, she was clear, confident, and determined. Her voice, rooted in love, frustration, and now empowerment, was heard. The school responded with care and urgency, providing access to resources, additional behavioral support, and a plan to ensure her son’s needs were met.
In the span of just a few weeks, Julia’s sense of isolation was replaced with a sense of agency. She went from feeling silenced and overlooked to becoming a strong, effective advocate for her child. More importantly, she began to witness real change—not only in the school’s response but in her own confidence and belief in her ability to lead.
Julia’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength that already exists within our community. When people are met with compassion, empowered with knowledge, and surrounded by support, incredible things become possible. Families like Julia’s don’t just survive. They thrive.