05/20/2026
A mission moment this morning that made my day. 💙
One of our Employment Specialists, Joanne, recently reached out about a gentleman she supports, we'll call him "Jim." Jim has come a long way: from experiencing homelessness to living in his own apartment to working three days a week at a job where he's beloved for his work ethic and for always going the extra mile.
Then an unexpected $375 maintenance bill landed in his mailbox. When you live on a fixed income, a number like that doesn't just hurt, it keeps you up at night.
Jim's first instinct was to pick up a fourth workday to cover it. Joanne, knowing what that would cost him physically, gently pushed back and then started making calls. She partnered with a care coordinator from a regional center. They brought in a housing advocate from another local nonprofit. Together, the three of them went back to Jim's property manager and made the case again.
The result? The fee was waived. Jim can sleep again!
This is what teamwork across our sector looks like. Different organizations, different roles, one shared belief that people deserve to be seen and supported. Joanne could have said, "That's not really my job." She didn't. She kept going until the answer changed.
Joanne, thank you. To everyone who joined her in Jim's corner, thank you. Days like this remind me why I'm so proud to work alongside so many incredible people. 💙