Rusty J.

Rusty’s story is about what happens when compassion and purpose endure, even through homelessness, violence, and serious illness. 

He was raised in a loving, service-oriented family where compassion, faith, and responsibility were everyday values. Those early lessons shaped a man known for his generosity, determination, and deep commitment to others, even during his own hardest seasons. 

From 1974 to 1978, Rusty served in the military, an experience that strengthened his sense of duty, resilience, and care for those around him. After his service, he continued helping others as a Logistics Officer with the Red Cross and built a life rooted in community involvement. He later married and became a proud father to his daughter, Genny. 

In 2008, after the end of his 22-year marriage, Rusty faced severe financial hardship and experienced homelessness for the first time. Even then, he did not turn inward. Instead, he continued serving others, hosting informal gatherings that became known as Rusty’s Barstool Ministries. Through prayer, conversation, and connection, he brought hope into local bars, shelters, and community spaces. Rusty believed deeply in meeting people where they were and walking alongside them without judgment. 

After regaining stable housing, Rusty encountered a devastating series of setbacks. He was the victim of multiple random violent assaults that caused traumatic brain injuries and long-term health complications. Eventually, doctors placed him on permanent disability. 

As hospitalizations increased and he lost his job, Rusty also received a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. His caretaker and roommate could no longer provide the support he needed, leaving Rusty responsible for rent he could not afford. He was evicted and once again found himself without housing. 

Rusty turned to COTS, where he quickly became a familiar and respected presence. Even while living in the shelter system, he continued his ministry, holding prayer gatherings outside the facility and offering encouragement to fellow residents. Staff and neighbors noticed how naturally he looked out for others, often putting their needs before his own. “All [of] my case managers have been great to me. They've always encouraged me and helped me move forward, and I appreciated it, I really do.”  

After a brief interruption, Rusty returned to COTS and continued his housing journey. Over approximately eighteen months, he moved between the main shelter and People’s Village, qualifying for multiple housing opportunities and continuing to inspire those around him. 

Eventually, the paperwork was completed, and Rusty was able to move into a stable shared home in Cloverdale. He has now lived there for more than a year and has temporarily overcome his cancer diagnosis. While he is grateful for this stability, Rusty continues to face serious health challenges and is planning to move into a single-person residence with a live-in caregiver approved by his medical team to support his ongoing needs and prepare for the possibility of the cancer returning. 

Rusty’s story is not only about surviving homelessness. It is a story of character, resilience through repeated loss, and compassion that never wavers. Wherever Rusty has lived, whether in a shelter, a tiny home, or a shared house, he has made it a place of care, connection, and hope. 

"They [COTS] made an everlasting impression in my life. The condition I was in when I came in there, I had terminal cancer and they didn't think I would make it the next two years. I mean, I was in a wheelchair and a skeleton from weight loss. But they stuck with me. They helped me and always encouraged me to get up and eat. The kitchen staff [and the kitchen volunteers], they all supported me. And it was what I needed, the encouragement to keep on going to fight on and on and on. And so you guys made a great impression on me.” 

by Development

Crystal M.

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.”

by Development

Jennifer B.

Jennifer, a former client of COTS’ Kids First Family Shelter, spoke at Hops for Homes about her experience at COTS. After being welcomed to speak by COTS Program Director Garett Crane, Jennifer began by expressing deep gratitude to COTS and all the individuals who supported her and her son during the challenging period following the aftermath of COVID. Her voice wavered as that gratitude seeped into every word. 

Although Jennifer had a good job, a strong network of friends, and what appeared to be a stable life, an unexpected turn of events left her facing homelessness—something she never imagined would happen to her. Lacking sufficient family support, she quickly found herself overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. It wasn’t until her son’s doctor referred them to COTS that a path forward began to emerge. Through that connection, she was introduced to a network of organizations that helped her and her son begin to rebuild their lives. 

While staying at the Kids First Family Shelter, she and her son received essential support, including clothing, shelter, and food, providing major relief during a very stressful time. One moment Jennifer recalled most vividly was the Christmas they spent without a home. Sitting in a shelter, unable to provide for her son during the holidays, she felt heartbroken and devastated. But thanks to the generosity of sponsors and families who stepped in, they were able to experience an unforgettable Christmas. Her son called it the best Christmas he had ever had—even jokingly asking if they could stay at COTS for more Christmases. 

Today, Jennifer is giving back by volunteering with some of the very organizations that once supported her. She now holds a fulfilling job, and she and her son have been living in their own apartment for nearly a year. Having previously spent years living independently, reclaiming that sense of stability has been deeply empowering. Though she has always viewed herself as resilient, her son was too young to fully grasp the challenges they faced, making their journey back to stability even more meaningful. 

Recently, they were approved for more affordable housing through Burbank Housing, giving her the opportunity to remain self-reliant—something she has worked hard to achieve. She emphasized how important it is for people to understand that homelessness can happen to anyone, no matter how secure their life might seem. 

She concluded by saying that this program—and the community around it—does not look at people as weak or “lesser than.” Instead, it uplifts those who’ve fallen on hard times, reminding everyone that it truly takes a community to support a family in need. While physical needs have a price, the happiness and hope given to her and her son were priceless. She extended her deepest thanks to everyone involved, saying their purpose and presence had made a life-changing impact on her family. 

by Development