Couple Finds Strength to Carry On

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When Vik and Leah* arrived in the U.S. several years ago, they were looking forward to spending their retirement years close to their adult children. Spending most of their lives in India, they were excited to finally have their family back together in a country that they had always dreamed of living in. Once they arrived, they found a home in an affordable housing unit where they were able to work during their final years before retiring in order to save up money.

Although they did not have much, they were proud of their home and their new community. They made it a point to attend and participate in all of the socials and activities taking place at the property as well as attending classes provided by LifeSTEPS. They formed friendships with their new neighbors and always offered to volunteer for all of the community events taking place.

As great as life was, things took a drastic turn when Vik’s life was suddenly changed without warning. As Vik was going on about his day, he noticed a sudden numbness and weakness on the left side of his body. Thinking it was due to tiredness, Vik continued on with his day until the symptoms became so severe that he could not move his left arm and leg. Frightened, he called out to Leah who immediately dialed 911.

After sitting in the waiting room with her children for what felt like hours, the family was finally told by a doctor that Vik had suffered a stroke. His condition was so severe that the stroke left him partially paralyzed on one side of his body. As shocking and difficult as the news was, Leah remained strong for both Vik and her children.

As the weeks went by, Leah spent the majority of her day caring for Vik. Although her children helped as much as they could, the exhaustion and constant worry began to take a toll on Leah. Worried for both their health, Leah called her Director of Social Services, Yawo, hoping to explore different resources to help lighten the load.

Knowing the struggles that both Leah and Vik were dealing with, Yawo referred them to In Home Support Services. She knew that although Leah was strong and self-sufficient, she couldn’t care for Vik on her own. Helping them with their paperwork and guiding them through the process, Yawo made sure that she was there for them beyond the application process.

With everything being accepted and approved, Leah and Vik welcomed in a new home care worker that they both felt comfortable around. Because of the added help, Leah is now able to focus on other things around the house without constantly worrying about Vik. With the support of IHSS and LifeSTEPS, the couple continues to live the best life they could.

*names have been changed

After School Program Opens a New World for Student

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Nine-year-old, Ava*is known by her family and teachers as being a bookworm. What she enjoys most about reading is getting lost in the different stories and characters she comes across. She is a known regular at her local public library and can easily consume one book after another. Although her passion for reading is evident, this has not always been the case.

Ava grew up in a Spanish speaking household where English was barely ever used. Once she began elementary school, she was enrolled in ESL classes where she slowly learned the English language. Although it was a struggle, Ava excelled in other subjects, such as science and math. Because of the difficulties she had comprehending what she was reading, Ava simply found books boring.

With little interest and effort being put towards academics, Ava’s grades began to suffer. Learning of the struggles she was facing in school, Ava’s Director of Social Services recommended that she attend sessions at the After School Program (ASP) provided by LifeSTEPS. Shy at first, Ava began to warm up to her Program Coordinator, Maria who tried making reading a fun activity. Maria knew how difficult it was to garner interest in learning to read, so she created games where students would construct sentences and earn prizes.

With Ava’s competitive nature and playful spirit, she took it upon herself to focus on her reading and writing skills in order to outshine the rest of the students. Over time, Ava began to fully grasp the English language which opened up a new world of possibilities. After completing one book, she was on to the next. Not only did her grades in English and Language improve, but her love for books became a passion. With reading, Ava was able to escape and explore new worlds, as well as learn different subjects.

When Ava first attended the After School Program, her English was limited and scarce. Today, Ava is in the fourth grade and currently reading at a sixth grade level. Not only has her reading improved tremendously, but she is now one of the top students in her class with an even brighter future. “Some students just need a little encouragement to make a subject enjoyable. Ava has been a great example to other kids in ASP,” Maria says.

With the After School Program reaching hundreds of kids, students like Ava are able to excel in subjects they never thought they could. Not only does it provide support and a positive learning environment, but it also gives kids a sense of empowerment, helping them prepare for a successful future.

Join us in helping more residents like Ava succeed in our After School Program by donating to LifeSTEPS.

*name has been changed

LifeSTEPS 2017 Annual Report

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Last year, LifeSTEPS increased services, and the data shows that our efforts are improving the lives of our residents. We have increased numbers in every category, except for employee turnaround and in-kind donations, which was supplemented by community donations. We are pleased to share our success.

2017 LifeSTEPS Annual Report.

JB Brown Fund February 2018- Coming Full Circle

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Rarely does someone come into contact with Angelique who is not inspired by her life story.  Angelique is the definition of resilience.  She came to California as a refugee from Rwanda in 1999, leaving behind a past of incredible sorrow–many of her family members were slain in the violent campaign of the Rwanda government on its own citizens.  Angelique and her husband were lucky to be alive. Despite such personal trauma, they were both hopeful they could start a new life in Sacramento.

The USA Properties Fund community of Silverado Creek has been Angelique’s home now for seven years.  Here, she has continued to work on healing from her past-here at Silverado Creek she has found a supportive community to raise her two sons, ages 11 and 8, and to do what most busy moms do in Sacramento-run between her kids’ soccer games, work, and school.  Angelique is very grateful to be this busy and knows without the JB Brown Academic Scholarship Program, life could have been much different.

The JB Brown scholarships Angelique received have propelled her from earning her AA at Sacramento City College to ultimately transferring to Sacramento State University and earning a four year degree.  At Sacramento State, Angelique majored in Occupational Health and Safety with an emphasis in Aging (Gerontology). This course of study fit Angelique’s caring and empathic character well since she is naturally a giver and is fulfilled by helping others. Angelique opted to do an internship with LifeSTEPS for her gerontology class and this experience has proven to be valuable for her career.  Angelique graduated from Sacramento State in 2016 and immediately applied with LifeSTEPS for a Director of Social Services position serving older adults in affordable housing.

Angelique has been an amazing addition to the LifeSTEPS team and in just a few months on the job she has already had a lasting positive impact for the senior residents she serves. Recently one of Angelique’s properties was featured on Good Day Sacramento for an innovative rock painting class facilitated by one of her residents.  As the camera operator panned the room capturing the residents proudly showing off their painted rocks, Angelique was there in the background–feeling thankful that she was there at all and knowing she had come full circle.