Crystal started working as a server at 15, always dreaming of one day becoming a manager. Over the years, she built a strong career—working full-time at a national restaurant chain, logging 35+ hours a week. But when the economy slowed, her hours were cut—first to ten, then to zero. Eventually, the restaurant closed.
Suddenly unemployed, Crystal couldn’t afford rent. She searched for work, but rising minimum wages meant fewer openings and lower turnover. Her car broke down, and with limited late-night public transit, commuting was nearly impossible.
When her savings ran out, Crystal lost her home. For four long months, she lived on the streets—exhausted, isolated, and unsure how to move forward.
Then she found shelter at COTS’ Mary Isaak Center. Even with a roof over her head, the emotional toll remained. She kept to herself—hood up, eyes down, heavy coat on even in the heat. Her silence was her shield.
But with time, care, and consistent support from her COTS case manager, Crystal began to heal. Behavioral health sessions helped her open up. A trip to Goodwill gave her new clothes—and a new outlook. Slowly, she saw herself not just surviving but recovering. Then came an opportunity.
Exchange Bank, in partnership with FHLBank San Francisco’s AHEAD Grant Program, awarded COTS a grant to launch a paid, six-month Kitchen Services Internship. The program offered training, food safety certification, and up to 25 hours of paid work each week.
Crystal had already been volunteering in the kitchen and her experience made her the natural choice for the internship. She quickly earned her food handler certification, took on leadership roles, supervised volunteers, and helped manage recipes. “Being here in the kitchen gave me the confidence I needed,” Crystal said. “I definitely wouldn’t have gotten my other job without it.”
That “other job” is a part-time deli position at a nearby grocery store within walking distance from the shelter. It’s competitive, it’s steady, and Crystal is thriving. She’s now working toward full-time hours and a management role—fulfilling a dream decades in the making.
“The internship helped me see what I’m really capable of,” she shared. “It’s changed how I see my career and myself.”
By the end of her internship this fall, Crystal hopes to save enough for a reliable car and secure permanent housing. But she’s already making an impact.
“People have come up to me and said they’re working on their resume because of what they see me doing,” she said. “That means something to me. It reminds me that even while I’m still growing, I can help others grow too.”