Edgar's Story
A California native, Edgar, had been living in Mexico for about two years when he decided to reflect on his goals and current living situation. His bills for basic necessities were almost his entire paycheck, and Edgar struggled to find financial security.
As a native born and raised in Vallejo, he decided to return to California and rebuild a life for himself. Returning was harder than he expected, as Edgar’s previous record limited his job opportunities. As COVID-19 was ramping up, Edgar heard about businesses in Sonoma County that were desperate for employees to fill essential worker roles. He decided to take a chance and began his journey.
Arriving in Sonoma, Edgar faced life on the streets for about two months. Distressed and desperate, he began peddling drugs for money, heavily drinking, and using substances again.
Having returned to old habits, Edgar was arrested and spent a year in the county jail. His time spent in jail was an awakening. As he learned about Sonoma County resources, he was shocked to find that COTS and other shelters had support systems to assist with Social Security, medical conditions, or other needs. Thrilled by the idea of being able to change his course, he thought, "Let me go check it out, you know because I don't want to be spending the rest of my life doing time. . . . I would like to feel like a normal person."
Within a week of arriving at COTS, Edgar was accepted into our shelter, and by using COTS as a reference, he was hired on the spot at a nearby gas station. Things were changing rapidly for Edgar, but due to a miscommunication and attendance policy, the staff was forced to dismiss him from the shelter after only two months.
Returning to the streets, Edgar was unable to maintain his gas attendant job and was left with no money and no hope. He turned to a commercial burglary as his only way to provide for himself. Getting caught resulted in a 32-month sentence in state prison.
Having served 14 months, Edgar was able to get out in June 2023. The same day of his release, Edgar knew he needed to get back to COTS to change his path. Checking in with the front desk, Edgar was dealt some hard news- he would have to remain on the streets for two weeks until there would be another opening in the shelter.
When a spot was available, Edgar rejoiced at this opportunity and quickly accepted. Immediately, he began volunteering at the Mary Isaak Center and with the Downtown Streets Team. He offered free haircuts to clients and helped maintain the showers, restrooms, and other shared spaces at COTS.
Staying in the shelter for eight months, Edgar neared the end of his parole and secured a temporary six-month employment opportunity through the Downtown Streets Team.
Keeping his eyes on his goals, Edgar excelled in his new role and piqued the interest of Petaluma River Park. After he applied for their full-time position caring for the park, they quickly and happily offered him the position. He began working in May and got into the groove of new habits.
During this time, Edgar was also moving forward in finding permanent housing. Having maxed out his days available at COTS, he was referred to another housing program to complete his parole time and continue looking for a permanent solution.
Unfortunately, at his outdoor job, Edgar got a cut on his hand that resulted in hospitalization and surgery due to an infection. Being so close to getting back on his feet, Edgar spent his time in the hospital worrying about his next steps. Thankfully, COTS’ Recuperative Care (RC) program was able to accept Edgar as soon as he was discharged from the hospital’s care.
With a clean and safe space to stay, Edgar knew his hand would heal well and worked on his plan to gain housing. He worked closely with COTS’ care managers and secured a spot in COTS’ People’s Village (PV) as a stepping stone.
Upon his transition from RC to PV, Edgar also returned to his lead position with the downtown street team with assistance. With things falling back into place, Edgar found an affordable place in COTS’ Permanent Supportive Housing program.
Today, he is thriving—housed, building financial stability, and inspiring others with his journey. Speaking at the 2024 California Recuperative Care Symposium, Edgar said, “If I had landed anywhere else, I'd either still be on the streets, be dead, or be in prison.”
Florence's Story
A Journey of Resilience
Florence, 58, grew up in Novato, California, and became the first in her family to earn a college degree, focusing on policy and politics. Her impactful internships—including a congressional role and work with a local labor union—led her to a fulfilling career in social services, where she served as the Director of Social Services for several affordable housing sites in Sonoma County. In this role, she advocated for the homeless and developed programs to support those in need.
In 2023, Florence faced unexpected challenges when she lost her housing due to ongoing medical issues. Chronic pain from scoliosis left her unable to work, and navigating the disability application process proved difficult, with multiple denials. Reaching out for help was a daunting step, but when she connected with COTS, she was looked in the eyes and met with compassion and respect, receiving not just shelter but dignity.
Starting her journey in the Mary Isaak Center's shelter, Florence soon required a hip replacement. After her surgery, she was transferred back to COTS’s Recuperative Care (RC) program in August 2023. There, she received physical therapy and multiple other necessary surgeries to restore her health and mobility.
In the RC program, Florence found strength in shared experiences and unwavering support from the COTS team, who advocated tirelessly on her behalf. Even during her darkest days, she felt seen as a whole person, not just another statistic.
Today, as Florence approaches stable housing, she is filled with hope. COTS has not only provided her with a roof but also restored her sense of self-worth, proving that with compassion and determination, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.
*Editor's note: Just two days after our conversation with Florence, she received wonderful news—her application for permanent housing has been accepted! We are ecstatic to see her take this next step on her journey.
Going the Extra Mile: A Day in the Life of a Care Manager
Going the Extra Mile: A Day in the Life of a Care Manager
Every day at COTS, our care managers go the extra mile for clients, and we mean that literally. Frequently, our care managers drive their clients to various appointments throughout the county. We wanted to share a snapshot of the support our care managers provide.
Meet Ana, she’s one of COTS’ bilingual care managers serving the Mary Isaak Center. This, she’s taking one of her clients, Marie, to emergency surgery. It’s a critical operation that Marie, without transportation or nearby family, might have missed if it weren’t for Ana’s dedication.
This isn’t a one-time act of kindness; it’s part of Ana’s daily routine. Ana’s role as a care manager is more than just coordinating services—it’s about being a lifeline for those who often lack one.
When Marie’s surgery is complete, Ana won’t just drop her off and leave. She’ll return a few days later to pick her up, ensuring she’s settled and has everything she needs to recover. It’s this personal touch, the willingness to follow through and be there for her clients every step of the way, that sets COTS’ care managers apart.
Ana’s compassion isn’t limited to medical emergencies. The week prior, she drove another client to the Social Security office, helping him secure the documentation needed for his housing plan. The week before, she spent hours translating at a doctor’s appointment for a Spanish-speaking client, ensuring her health concerns were fully addressed.
Next week, she’ll accompany another client to Sage Commons, a permanent supportive housing complex, for an intake appointment. This client, also Spanish-speaking, has no income and no transportation. But Ana won’t just drop him off; she’ll sit with him, help him organize his documents, and advocate for him, making sure he’s set up for success.
“I advocate for my clients who cannot advocate for themselves,” says Ana.
For Ana, these actions are about more than just logistics—they’re about dignity. She understands that many of her clients would avoid critical appointments simply because navigating city and county bus routes can be overwhelming. A trip that takes Ana 30 minutes by car could take her clients hours by bus—time they can’t afford to waste when dealing with pressing health and housing needs.
And then there are the little moments that make all the difference. Like the upcoming move of another client to Cloverdale. Ana secured the deposit, picked up the check, and will hand-deliver it to the landlord. But she’ll also do something more—take a photo of her client holding the keys to his new home, capturing the pride and relief on his face. As a final touch, she’ll ensure a welcome home basket, filled with essentials, is ready and waiting for him when he steps through the door.
Ana doesn’t just fulfill her duties as a care manager—she embodies our mission to help those experiencing housing to find and keep housing. She knows that for many of her clients, without COTS providing transportation to critical appointments, the pathway to housing would be much more difficult. Our care manager’s support means that our clients can go from just surviving to thriving and housed
Michael's Story
Gearing up to start his next semester, Michael, a resident at Studios at Montero (SAM), is feeling excited and nervous. This past spring, Michael decided it was time to dust off his books and pursue his associate degree to help him land a fulfilling job.
Feeling ambitious, he mounted his e-bike and rode to start a full-time schedule of four classes at Santa Rosa Junior College that spanned across his general education and art major requirements. At first, going back to school was hard, but Michael was determined to succeed. He enjoyed his classes, his energetic professors, and learning about new mediums and artist inspirations, such as Hilma af Klint.
Then, life dealt Michael a hard stint of circumstances surrounding loved ones in his life. Reeling from that curveball and the nuances of school, Michael fell behind in his studies and decided to drop his fourth class. With only three classes and the support of SAM staff, he was able to persevere to finish the spring semester, noting that without a place like SAM and the supportive services COTS' offers, he would probably have not ever been able to return to school, “It was my dream [to go back to school], but this place [SAM] makes it possible.”
Undeterred by the hiccups in his plans, Michael still has a great outlook for his academic career. He plans on pushing himself and getting his grade point average back up to a scholarship-qualifying level within the next semester. He will also retain his three-class schedule and, if successful, return to a four-course load in the spring. He plans to supplement his three-class schedule by enrolling in summer classes to help him remain on track to graduate in 2026.
Thank you to the COTS' staff for supporting Michael to help him realize his goals and thank you to everyone who makes the work at Studios at Montero possible!
Charmaine's Story
In 2016, COTS helped Charmaine move into permanent housing with her two daughters and she had plans to make a better future for herself and her family. For the last 8 years, Charmaine has done just that. She has remained housed and employed, accrediting COTS with getting her back on her feet.
“They helped me, like, [they] gave me all the tools that I needed out in the real world to, like, get a good job. They helped me with my resume and just like life skills.”
While she was loving her life, she decided that it was time for a change. After having roommates all her life, Charmaine moved into her first solo apartment with her youngest daughter, their dog, and foster kittens. Her older daughter, a recent high school graduate, has moved out and supports herself by creating beautiful, professional nails while she prepares for her cosmetology license.
In September, Charmaine was also able to change her profession to something she was more passionate about. She now works with developmentally disabled adults and finds the work rewarding. Saying, “I absolutely love it. Like the best job I've ever, ever had.”
Raising her daughters to have big ambitions and strong work ethics, Charmaine has not stopped setting goals for herself either. She hopes to become a supervisor within the next year and, depending on the housing market, Charmaine also hopes to buy a house in the not-so-distant future.
At COTS, your support helps change the lives of clients, just like Charmaine. Thank you for making our work possible.
The COTS Collective: July 2024
July COTS’ Collective.
This month, at the start of the new fiscal year, COTS would like to reflect on our incredible growth over the last twelve months. We are incredibly proud of our service to the community and look forward to another successful fiscal year.
13% increase
in our emergency shelter capacity.
13 units in Petaluma and 14 units in Santa Rosa
added to PSH*.
17% increase
in our family shelter capacity.
And coming soon,
a 300% increase
in our Recuperative Care wing.
* PSH- Permanent Supportive Housing
Since July of last year, the community kitchen at the Mary Isaak Center (known as Mary’s Table) has increased production to over 10,000 meals per month. Every day, our kitchen opens its doors to those we serve alongside the broader community—anyone in need of a hot, nutritious meal is invited to join us for lunch or dinner seven days a week, every day of the year. By the end of 2024, our monthly kitchen output is anticipated to grow to over 12,000 meals per month.
To start serving the residents of Santa Rosa, CA., COTS launched a comprehensive Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention program. This program, in partnership with Catholic Charities, serves individuals and families throughout Santa Rosa with emergency rental assistance, housing search and placement assistance, assistance with transportation and groceries, and ongoing therapy services for individuals, couples, and families.
COTS worked tirelessly to improve the behavioral health services available in all our programs. In the last year, COTS received funding to support a licensed clinician for our housing team, increased the number of hours of mental health services provided to our clients, partnered with Petaluma People Services to provide onsite groups and individual therapy options, and is in the process of adding bilingual mental health services for our clients in Santa Rosa, CA.
To support this growth, COTS has grown its workforce exponentially and added an office in Santa Rosa, CA. We anticipate adding a second office in Santa Rosa in 2024 as we continue to experience an increased demand for services in the area.
We invite you to support us in serving all of Sonoma County by donating to our mission at cots.org/donate/.
Warmly,
Chris Cabral, CEO
Mission Moment.
Grace came to COTS after spending almost a year in hospitals and rehab centers recovering from a stroke and a heart attack. While she was in care, still learning how to speak, walk, comb her hair, and handle a pencil, her roommate died in their shared apartment.
With COTS’ help, she was housed in Healdsburg and is now enjoying the free concerts in the Plaza and the view of redwood trees out her bedroom window. Best of all? She is able to invite her two children to her apartment for home-cooked meals.
Maureen - Mail Depot
Maureen McGuigan, the dedicated owner-operator of the Mail Depot in Petaluma, CA, exemplifies the true spirit of community. Whether it's providing exceptional customer service, ensuring children's letters reach the North Pole each December, or extending a helping hand to those in need, Maureen's actions consistently make our community a better place.
Maureen’s commitment to helping others is evident in her history. Before owning the Mail Depot, she worked at Petaluma Peoples Services. For years, she has been generously offering complimentary notary services to COTS’ clients, a crucial step in helping individuals secure stable housing.
This July, inspired by a heartfelt story on NPR, Maureen launched a collection drive for feminine hygiene products and women’s underwear—items desperately needed in shelters but rarely donated. When she reached out to COTS with this initiative, our Client Enrichment Services Manager, Eileen, eagerly embraced the idea.
The drive was a resounding success, with a remarkable outpouring of support from the community. Inspired by this achievement, Maureen is now gearing up for her next project: collecting reading glasses, at Eileen’s request. As the aging population facing homelessness grows, the need for reading glasses becomes increasingly urgent. Following this, Maureen plans to organize a drive for men’s underwear.
At COTS, we are profoundly grateful for Maureen’s unwavering support and passionate advocacy. She not only contributes herself but also inspires her clients and the broader community to recognize the vital importance of COTS’ services.
Your support can make a significant difference. By donating to these drives, you are directly helping those in need, providing essential items that can dramatically improve their quality of life. Join us in supporting Maureen's efforts and making a tangible impact in our community. If you’d like to donate reading glasses, you can drop them off at the Mail Depot, located at 40 4th Street, Petaluma, CA.
Jenn's Story
Jenn P., a Sonoma homeowner for the last 29 years, has worked her way through many of life’s struggles. She started working at 16 and by the time she was 19 years old, Jenn had worked her way up the corporate ladder at a fast-food location down in Mill Valley. Even after leaving that location, Jenn’s strong work ethic did not diminish as she worked at cafes, delis, and other merchandise stores. At each location, Jenn rose to the top of her field and proudly led her teams to success.
She experienced personal milestones too when she married her husband in 1987 and had their only child in 1991. As her daughter entered her schooling years, Jenn began her career in volunteering as a teacher’s assistant and librarian. She was a loving mother figure to every one of her daughter’s friends, reminding them to wear their rubber bands for their braces and organizing a carpool.
Her love and caring attitude also extended to everyone she met. Jenn cared for her mother-in-law who had dementia and her mother as she experienced Alzheimer's. Both incredible women passed approximately two years ago.
It was the overwhelming stress and lack of sleep that Jenn says led her to have a drink of alcohol before going out to buy eggs one morning. While she was in this intoxicated state, Jenn rear-ended another car and was sentenced to probation and over 300 hours of community service.
After her first service placement did not work out, Jenn requested that she be reassigned. Her reassignment brought her to the doors of COTS in September of 2023. With over 25 years of kitchen and service experience, Jenn felt right at home volunteering at the Mary Isaak Center. Jenn volunteered multiple days a week and grew to have friendships with other volunteers and COTS staff.
As she finished her mandated hours in February of 2024, her new friends gifted her with a card and flowers, wishing her the best in her next chapter. But after a week off from volunteering, Jenn came back to COTS. “It's actually helped me being here [at COTS].” While she had the company of her retired husband, she missed the kitchen’s comradery and being able to help those in her community who need support. Having spent time with the clients during her smoking break, she got to know them. “For the most part, a lot of them are really nice people that you know, for some reason or another, they wind up here . . . they're just people who have had problems and they're people just like you and they deserve to have decent food.”
Happy to get out of her house and felt that volunteering at COTS gave her “some sense of purpose because people appreciate what I'm doing.” Jenn has continued to volunteer with COTS regularly and is delighted to help new volunteers learn the ways of the kitchen.
As of May 28th, 2024, Jenn has remained 17 months sober and thanks COTS and sweets for helping her maintain her sobriety.
The COTS Collective: June 2024
June COTS’ Collective.
In early 2023, COTS embarked on a journey to obtain enough funding to complete a large capital expansion project on our main Mary Isaak Center campus in Petaluma, CA. On June 17, 2024, COTS officially began construction on our Recuperative Care capital project—expanding our ability to serve Recuperative Care clients by more than 300% annually.
COTS’ Recuperative Care offers services, meals, and a place to heal for individuals exiting the hospital who are experiencing homelessness. Receiving care in the COTS Recuperative Care program is 25x less expensive than spending a night in the hospital. Last month, we asked for your support to help COTS get this project across the finish line—our heartfelt thanks to our community for stepping up to support the completion of this project! This project will be complete by the end of October, providing a critical benefit to the Sonoma County community for decades to come.
Last month, COTS also increased our shelter capacity by ten beds, allowing us to reduce our waitlist times, and increase the availability of accessible bed space for individuals with disabling conditions. As the second largest shelter provider in Sonoma County, COTS takes seriously our commitment to ensuring equitable access to shelter and housing opportunities for those we serve. Thank you to the City of Petaluma for helping COTS fund these additional beds.
Looking forward, COTS is excited to enter a new fiscal year on July 1, 2024. We are thrilled with our progress in the last year and look forward to sharing more news with our supporters in the coming months.
To help us end this fiscal year stronger than ever, please consider donating to our mission by visiting cots.org/donate/.
Warmly,
Chris Cabral, CEO
Mission Moment.
Jane was a lively spirit on a path full of success until her world was turned upside down. Like so many others, the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic marked the start of a tumultuous next few years. Jane owned her own business that was established in Petaluma almost two decades ago. However, the pandemic brought a drastic decrease in clientele and, after sustaining an injury, she had to close her doors permanently.
As Jane approached her mid 70’s in age, she was without a sustainable income, as social security did not cover the cost of living. Luckily, Jane had savings she could tap into as she prepared herself for what was to come next.
After moving her belongings into storage and attempting to file paperwork on her own to secure affordable housing, Jane was becoming desperate for help. With no hope or help, she started to starve herself and her body weight fell to 75 pounds.
When her savings were depleted and she was unable to secure stable and affordable housing, she was forced out of her home and onto the streets of the Petaluma community she had long been an integral piece of.
With no other solutions, Jane called a local shelter, COTS. Soon after speaking to a “kind” individual on the phone about the waiting list for a bottom bunk placement in the shelter at the Mary Isaak Center, Jane saw a light at the end of the tunnel. Jane applied to stay at COTS and was placed in COTS’ People’s Village for 13 months until she was accepted into permanent and affordable housing.
She made beautiful cards for everyone who had helped her at COTS, and hand delivered them to their office spaces before her moving day.
At 82 years of age, Jane was as excited as a kid in a candy shop looking forward to her new place. Jane is also planning on finding a way to contribute back to other people in need.
“I know where I’m going is a lovely place, and I feel honored to have been so fortunate as to get a residence like this.”
– Jane
Isaiah
Isaiah C., the founding real estate advisor at LivXplore Real Estate and Lifestyle, sat down to chat about his experience with COTS’ clients as tenants.
As a real estate license holder since the age of 18 and the winner of Sonoma County's Best Real Estate Agent by The Press Democrat in 2023, Isaiah has proved his exceptional dedication and commitment to excellence. Isaiah is a Sonoma County native who has earned a reputation for genuine client connections, knowledgeable development consultations, and all-encompassing real estate investments and ventures.
Isaiah’s first exposure to COTS was at the end of 2023 when a rental application of a former, now housed, COTS client crossed his desk. After Isaiah contacted the listed references, Eileen, COTS' Client Enrichment Manager, and the client's care manager, the process began.
With their voucher* in hand, the client was excited to begin the next step of their journey. Isaiah recalls the rental application, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)** paperwork, and lease agreements going smoothly and quickly.
“[With COTS,] it's not a super long and tedious process.”
Isaiah shared how the relationship between the property manager and the former COTS’ client has blossomed. The property owners realized that their tenant had a skillset in construction. The property owners then hired the tenant for multiple jobs and helped them broaden the client’s portfolio. The tenant and property owners still work together on projects if they fit into the schedule of the tenant’s booming remodeling career.
This housing placement was such a good fit and easy process that now Isaiah continues to reach out to Eileen to coordinate upcoming available units and potential clients to become tenants when they are ready.
Isaiah highlighted that sometimes an individual's qualifications on paper do not accurately predict the renting experience. Recalling previous experiences, Isaiah has faced major headaches with applicants who were perfect on paper. He noted that while there are always going to be bad tenants, he has not experienced that with individuals from COTS.
“I think you guys [COTS] do a very good job at aligning good people with good landlords and ensuring that there's some sort of support system in there.”
*Voucher holders are individuals who qualify for financial assistance with their rent. Voucher holders pay approximately 30% - 40% of their monthly income towards their rent and the city’s housing authority pays the remaining balance to the property owner directly.
** The utilization of vouchers only adds one additional agreement between the property owners and HUD stating that HUD is responsible for a predetermined payment amount each month. HUD does not step in on behalf of the tenants if the lease is violated and the tenant is asked to leave.