To Sandra, the most important part of her life is family. A year and a half ago, she moved from Reno, Nevada to Eugene to be closer to her family; however, she was battling a chronic lung disease, which limits her lung capacity to 20%, and had to frequent the Eugene Emergency Room. At this time she didn’t have a source of healthcare, often felt sick, and was living in her car.
For 8 difficult months she lived without a stable home until a doctor pointed her towards ShelterCare and she was introduced to the Cascades Rapid Re-housing Program. She says, “I don’t think I would have made it past last winter if I hadn’t had that apartment.” One year into the program, she was able to move into a highly sought-after low-income housing complex in Springfield. Funding from a Weyerhaeuser grant made it possible for Sandra to afford her move-in costs which, as an expense, aren’t eligible under the Cascade Program. In Springfield, Sandra is finally reconnected with her family. Now, she enjoys spending her free time with her daughter and grandchildren.