Supportive Housing and Health Services, Northern CA
Name: Galena Soper
Position: Project Supervisor, Sacramento/Northern Project-Bassed
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: April 2, 2024
Birth date and Birthplace: September 29 / Reno, NV
About You: I have been in the social services field for almost two years. I am currently studying to obtain my degree in social services. I am a mom to five amazing and beautiful kids.
Favorite Quote: “I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light”- Helen Keller
Interests or Hobbies: I love to spend time with my family and bake.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: Respect: Respecting one another is the foundation for stronger connections and empowering those around us, including coworkers and clients.
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Name: Shaira Gordon
Position: Project Supervisor, Alameda County
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: September 6, 2023
Birth date and Birthplace: October 20 / Alameda
About You: I am passionate about empowering others, particularly in Intensive Case Management and Entrepreneurship. I have a bright 6-year-old who aspires to be a scientist one day, so I definitely have my hands full. I pursued my education in Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) counseling, completing an internship working with former foster youth. I have also worked as a domestic violence advocate and a case manager for individuals who have been incarcerated. As the owner of a photo booth company, I use my platform to educate and mentor young people aspiring to become successful entrepreneurs. Currently, I am fulfilling my passion and purpose with LifeSTEPS, where I truly enjoy the work I do each day.
Favorite Quote: “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” – Shirley Chrisholm
Interests or Hobbies: I enjoy painting, hiking, and having lovely brunch gatherings. I also appreciate tea and poetry.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: Empowerment: It promotes confidence, autonomy, and self-determination, allowing individuals and communities to take control of their lives and make informed decisions. This empowerment helps people recognize their potential and overcome limitations. When individuals feel empowered, they are better prepared to face challenges and advocate for themselves and others.
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Name: Aleta Manuel
Position: Intensive Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: June 5, 2024
Birth date and Birthplace: October 27 / San Francisco, CA
About You: Born in San Francisco, I graduated from high school in Hayward. I have three children and am the oldest of five siblings. My favorite activities include hanging out with family, playing board games, and enjoying Bingo.
Favorite Quote: “It’s freedom for everybody, or freedom for nobody” – Malcolm X
Interests or Hobbies: Explore the world and experience all its aspects: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: Innovation: This is my favorite LifeSTEPS Skill because the world and humans constantly change, requiring us to adapt and adjust to meet our clients’ needs in a relevant and supportive way. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Alicia Rowe
Position: Director of Social Services
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: February 5, 2018
Birth date and Birthplace: August 29 / Oakland, CA
About You: I am a wife, and I have been married for 18 years, together with my husband, Kenyatta, for 20 years. I am a mother of seven; I gave birth to three children and helped raise four others. I am also a proud “glam” mother to my amazing grandson. I am a very spiritual person and attend church regularly. Overall, I am a non-confrontational individual, but I will stand up for myself when necessary. I truly love the work that I do, especially because I get to collaborate with people from my community, having been born and raised in Oakland, CA.
Favorite Quote: God grant me the SERENITY to accept things I cannot change, the COURAGE to change the things I can, and the WISDOM to know the difference.
Interests or Hobbies: My interests and hobbies include self-care, camping, spending time with my girlfriends, and going to church.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: ‘We believe community development is built ‘One STEP at a time.’ Our vision is that every person served by LifeSTEPS will be empowered with the skills, resources, and support needed to maintain stable housing and break the cycle of poverty.” As a Direct Support Specialist (DSS) and Intensive Case Management Specialist (ICMS), I meet people I’ve never encountered before and work to gain their trust so I can help them. It is gratifying to give back to the community that raised me and support my people through every step of their journey.
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Name: Cassandra Broadway
Position: Housing Navigator/Intensive Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: May 13, 2024
Birth date and Birthplace: December 12/ Oakland, CA
About You: As a humanitarian, I enjoy helping people become self-sufficient. I have always advocated for those who cannot speak for themselves, which is why I am passionate about supporting the homeless.
Favorite Quote: “it is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation” – Herman Melville
Interests or Hobbies: I enjoy writing poetry, traveling, cooking, and reading.
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Name: Christopher Bowen
Position: Intensive Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: March 4, 2026
Birth date and Birthplace: May 6 / Montclair, CA
About You: With thirteen years of dedicated experience in social services, I have built my career around advocating for individuals and families navigating complex life challenges. My work spans crisis intervention, case management, community outreach, and long term support planning, with a strong focus on empowering clients to build stability, resilience, and self determination. I’m someone who thrives at the intersection of curiosity and problem solving. I enjoy taking on challenges that require both analytical thinking and clear communication, and I’m at my best when I’m collaborating with people who care about doing meaningful work.
Favorite Quote: “Your most important work is always ahead of you, never behind you.” — Stephen Covey
Interests or Hobbies: I like to sing, draw, and build things.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: Respect: Respect stands out to me because it’s the foundation for every healthy interaction—whether with residents, coworkers, or the broader community. When people feel respected, they feel seen, heard, and valued. That sense of dignity creates trust, and trust is what allows real support and real progress to happen.
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Name: James Eskridge
Position: Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: November 29, 2022
Birth date and Birthplace: January 8 / Knoxville, TN
About You: As a father of six, including triplets, I am a licensed Notary Public with a degree in Behavioral Social Science. I also played baseball in college at Indiana Tech.
Favorite Quote: “Everyone should believe in something; I believe I’ll do fishing.” – Henry David Thoreau
Interests or Hobbies: Fishing and camping. Although sometimes I go camping and fishing. Or just fishing. Concerts in the park, social activities, and live sports events.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: Respect: The veterans we serve have given so much and ask for little in return. They have made sacrifices for all of us and deserve our respect.
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Name: Jean Marie V. Nshimiyimana
Position: Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: May 18, 2023
Birth date and Birthplace: December 11 / Kigali, Rwanda
About You: I am a devoted husband and a proud father of two wonderful daughters. Family time is very important to me. I enjoy connecting with people and feel fortunate to have experienced various cultures through my travels. Along the way, I have made friends in several countries. These experiences have greatly enriched my life and helped me feel deeply connected to the world.
Favorite Quote: “You never run out of dreams, you only run out of time”
Interests or Hobbies: I play soccer and rarely miss my Sunday pick-up games.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: Empowerment: As an Intensive Case Manager, I have various roles, but the one I enjoy most is empowering and supporting my clients to reach their full potential and achieve independence.
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Name: Karen Traylor
Position: Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: November 27, 2023
Birth date and Birthplace: May 11 / California
About You: Kind, responsible, considerate, reliable, caring, and truthful person. I enjoy working with people in Human Services, assisting with conflict resolution and problem-solving.
Favorite Quote: Kindness is giving hope to those who think they are all alone in this world.
Interests or Hobbies: Peace, Hope, Happiness, and Gardening
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: Effective educational and supportive services maximize individual strengths and build resilient communities. In today’s world, the education and provision of supportive services within communities and states can rebuild lives and bring stability to families.
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Name: Leslie Donato
Position: Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: November 16, 2021
Birth date and Birthplace: October 5 / Yuma, AZ
About You: I am a mother of two wonderful daughters, and I love spending quality time with them. I enjoy working out, exploring new adventures, and traveling with my family. I have a kind heart and take great satisfaction in helping others, making a positive difference in their lives. I come from a family that values integrity, and I always strive to do my best.
Favorite Quotes:
- “If there is no Sacrifice, no benefit at the end of the day.”
- “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
- “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
Interests or Hobbies: Gardening and working out are my passions. I particularly love the treadmill; I can run for days! Cleaning brings me peace, and my favorite hobby is decorating and renovating my home, as it allows me to be creative while anticipating the results.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: Empathy and Integrity: Being an intensive case manager requires me to deeply understand and relate to my clients’ experiences, which is rooted in empathy. At the same time, I must always be honest and transparent in my actions and decisions, reflecting integrity. Both empathy and integrity allow me to provide genuine support and maintain trust, ensuring that clients feel respected and cared for while knowing they can rely on me.
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Name: Mark Richardson
Position: Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: May 22, 2024
Birth date and Birthplace: October 8 / Oakland, CA
About You: I am a family man who loves his wife and kids. I have been working in this field since 2010, starting at a homeless shelter that served mental health clients. I have noticed that at every organization I work for, I leave a positive impact on the clients, which is what this work is all about in the end.
Favorite Quote: “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight with no vision” – Helen Keller
Interests or Hobbies: I am a family man who loves his wife and kids. I have been working in this field since 2010, starting at a homeless shelter that served mental health clients. I have noticed that at every organization I work for, I leave a positive impact on the clients, which is what this work is all about in the end.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: I appreciate that LifeSTEPS is taking initiative to improve living conditions for the homeless population in our community. This is important because the residents will become more self-sufficient and positive through the life skills and support that LifeSTEPS provides.
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Name: Melba Madsen
Position: Intensive Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: October 10, 2019
Birth date and Birthplace: January 24 / Fort Collins, CO
About You: I enjoy going to movies, and I love the ocean. I like reading, but I usually just listen to Audible.
Favorite Quote: Sorrow is knowledge: they who know the most must mourn the deepest o’er the fatal truth, the Tree of Knowledge is not that of Life. – Lord Byron
Interests or Hobbies: I love going to the ocean and walking in the woods. I love animals and plants. I enjoy going to the movies with friends, family, or by myself.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: I love the concept of “See It, Own It, Solve It, Do It.” I appreciate that LifeSTEPS gives its employees the freedom to identify what needs to be done and take care of it.
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Name: Tiffany Stewart
Position: Housing Navigator/Intensive Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: December 1, 2022
Birth date and Birthplace: July 18 / Houston, TX
About You: The ability of a person to maintain their core purpose and integrity despite dramatically changed circumstances, as well as the capacity to overcome setbacks and move forward. Resilience sums me up.
Favorite Quote: You are the greatest project you’ll ever work on ~Restart. Reset. Refocus.~ As many times as you need, just don’t give up!
Interests or Hobbies: Reading Substack and praying.
Favorite Value: Honesty
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Name: Xavier Balteara
Position: Lead Care Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: May 22, 2023
Birth date and Birthplace: March 11 / Sacramento, CA
About You: Hello everyone, I’m Xavier. I enjoy going to the beach and spending quality time with my family and friends. As a pastor, I help people at my church and get involved in church activities whenever I can. When I’m not doing that, you can usually find me hanging out with my wife and our daughter or enjoying time with our extended family.
Favorite Quote: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi
Interests or Hobbies: My interests include baseball games, reading, and cooking.
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and Why: Respect: We strive to understand experiences, emotions, and needs. When working with others from different aspects of life, respecting one another is a foundation for providing services.
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Name: Ulysses Ruben Sandoval
Position: Case Manager
LifeSTEPS Anniversary Date: August 12, 2019
Birth date and Birthplace: December 20, Los Angeles CA
About you: Born in Los Angeles. I have one older brother, both my parents migrated to the United States before my brother and I were born. My brother and I are the only two in our family to have bachelor’s degrees. Moved to Sacramento in 2013 to pursue my education. Graduated, fell in love and decided to stay up north. I am engaged to my beautiful fiancé and will commence our new chapter in April of 2023. I love watching documentaries, streaming, binge watching shows I grew up watching, playing soccer, and collecting sports cards. I believe knowledge is power. I am a huge Dodgers fan and a Manchester United fan.
Interests or Hobbies: Hanging out with my fiancé, soccer, watching the premier league, video games, sports cards, and documentaries.
Favorite Quotes:
- “Longwinded, running through this life like it was mine
Never settling, but setting every goal high
One thousand burpees on the path to my own destruction or success
But what is a mistake without the lesson?
See, the best teacher in life is your own experience
None of us know who we are until we fail
They say every man is defined by his reaction to any given situation
Well who would you want to define you?
Someone else or yourself?
Whatever you do, homie, give your heart to it
And stay strong” -Nipsey Hussle
- “What is a mistake without the lesson? See, the best teacher in life is your own experience. None of us know who we are until we fail, they say every man is defined by his reaction to any given situation. Well who would you want to define you?” – Nipsey Hussle
Favorite LifeSTEPS Value and why: My favorite LS Value is ‘Respect” because it is the initial step to break barriers.
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