Explore OurStories of Hope Share this Article When doctors told Nelson Martinez he needed to have a toe amputated due to severe complications from chronic Type 2 diabetes, the 54-year-old felt his world shatter. He had lost circulation in his toe and the resulting gangrene was at risk of spreading throughout his body. He needed […]
Explore OurStories of Hope Share this Article When first learning to walk again, 41-year-old Tracy Walker realized he needed to shift the weight in his hips and land each step on his heel. It’s the gait of a man who over the past eight years had 19 surgeries on his legs, which included the amputation […]
Explore OurStories of Hope Share this Article Ana and Guadalupe “Lupe” Lupercio proudly welcome visitors to their spotlessly clean Vacaville apartment. Just a few months ago, the couple did not know where they would be living. After renting the same house for 25 years, their landlord decided to sell it and they had to find […]
Explore OurStories of Hope Share this Article For four decades, Suzan Bateson held her secret close — never talking about how she once relied on food stamps. Even after she became executive director of the Alameda County Community Food Bank 18 years ago, she didn’t share that she knows what it’s like to not have […]
Explore OurStories of Hope Share this Article Sonja Johnson married a drug lord after graduating from high school, though she didn’t know it at the time. She said they got high together on their wedding night, and she battled addiction for the next 18 years. She wasn’t around much to raise her five daughters. But […]
Explore OurStories of Hope Share this Article When her husband called unexpectedly in the middle of a workday in April, Eva Espinosa didn’t know what she would hear on the other line. Within seconds, her life was changed. Her 18-year-old son had suffered a seizure and had fallen and hit his head on the floor, […]
Explore OurStories of Hope Share this Article First came cancer. Then came an eviction notice — because of the diagnosis. Homelessness was up next for Jack Hendrix. And this was all just the latest twist in a long string of bad luck. Arthritis and a damaged back ended his 35-year painting career in 2013. With no paycheck, […]
Explore OurStories of Hope Share this Article Tyler Roberson had it all planned — at least the next 12 years, which is a lot at age 23. First, she was going to pass biology, the last class standing between her and her high school diploma. Next, she would enroll at the community college down the […]
Explore OurStories of Hope Share this Article Citlali Gonzalez-Watson and Justin Watson were living in a two-bedroom mobile home in Sunnyvale with six other people when their son Daniel was born over the summer. Citlali and Justin slept in one bedroom with their baby, Citlali’s parents had the other bedroom, and her four younger siblings […]
Explore OurStories of Hope Share this Article Many years ago, when his body was strong and the paychecks flowed, Jose Rios-Estrada built cabinets. He shaped oak and mahogany with his saws and hammers, and the shelves and doors he created went into camper vans and wineries all around the Napa Valley. Rios’ hands were sure, […]
