New care unit at Petaluma homeless shelter improves odds people will get off streets after hospital visits
Beds are in place and walls are newly painted at the new Lassar Health & Wellness Center in Petaluma. And a waiting list is lined up to come in the doors when its officially open Nov. 1.
The center — which will offer a safe place for people who are homeless to recuperate after they are discharged from hospital stays or emergency rooms — is located at the Mary Isaak Shelter in Petaluma operated by COTS, a prominent homelessness services organization.
Lassar Center clientele will be able to stay for up to 90 days while they convalesce, and are provided resources to help them gain their footing and find permanent housing.
Petaluma Argus-Courier
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
Community Matters: Progress on reducing homelessness
Cabral is thrilled that COTS was selected as the lead agency to manage the groundbreaking regional initiative’s implementation. She estimates that $5,800 will be spent per family to keep them housed, an investment which seems a tremendous bargain given that a single chronically homeless person can cost taxpayers as much as $50,000 per year, according to a state auditor’s report.
Petaluma Argus-Courier
Sonoma County homelessness prevention program gets extra funds, sets its sights higher
“It is exceptionally difficult to help households who have fallen into homelessness and it is so helpful and so meaningful to have a resource to prevent households from getting to that point”.
The Press Democrat
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.
Napa, Sonoma county officials decide to open cooling centers with predicted highs in the 100s
Sonoma and Napa County officials have decided to open public cooling centers as temperatures are forecast to peak in the 100s this week.
The conditions — which prompted excessive heat and red flag warnings — check a lot of boxes on each of the counties’ list of requirements to set up cooling spots.
The Press Democrat