Everyone deserves a second chance and that’s the story that Cyrinana has to tell! She arrived at Saint John’s with her three children in April of 2019 after being evicted from her home and struggling with chronic poverty. As a single mom, she was desperate to find a safe place for her kids, and that…
Read MoreReal Change: Getting serious and taking responsibility
It goes without saying that the long road to sobriety is not without its challenges. Terresa walked through the Red Doors of Saint John’s, April 21, 2021. She was still trying to make sense of what brought her to this point and what it would take to move forward. Looking back: “What do I have…
Read MoreNew beginnings and REAL CHANGE in action!
New year, new goals, new dreams, new beginnings. It seems this time of year we’re surrounded with thoughts and suggestions for making a new start. Some new beginnings are exciting and fun and others are full of challenges. As women walk through the doors of Saint John’s Program for Real Change for their own “new…
Read MoreSaint John’s Teen Circle: Making a Difference, One New Friend at a Time
By: Eden Collier When eleven students from St. Francis High School decided to band together to make a difference, we didn’t realize how much the experience would change us.
Read MoreZenn for Good
It truly takes a village to do what we do here at Saint John’s Program for Real Change. Behind the red doors at Saint John’s is an exceptional group of community supporters, donors, volunteers, and staff united in an effort to reduce homelessness in our community. These incredible partners support women who refuse to settle…
Read MorePatricia’s Journey
Patricia’s journey to taking charge of her own life began when she made the decision to escape an abusive relationship that had held her captive for 4 years. Leaving Sacramento, her hometown, she found refuge in Missouri living with her dad. However, the emotional toll of the abuse followed her and not being able to…
Read MoreA Different Kind of Change
When asked what life was like before coming to Saint John’s, Brittany doesn’t hesitate to say, “I was addicted and co-dependent in New York City.” She grew up in Sacramento and received a scholarship to the New York School of Film and Television, with her heart set on acting. After graduating, she needed a job…
Read MoreDeep Water
Tracy is no stranger to deep waters. She spent a happy childhood with her family on the Jersey Shore and moved to the Bay Area at 13. She traveled with them “across the pond” to venture through Europe at 18. She even went scuba diving with them in Mexico. And while those waters hold sweet…
Read MorePoverty and Childhood
This month’s blog is written by the son of one of our staff members, Jessica. Jessica and her son Dwayne were residents at Saint John’s when Dwayne was just a young boy. Today, Jessica is employed at Saint John’s full-time as a Client Services Coordinator and Dwayne is a student at Sierra College. As I’m…
Read MoreCreating a New Kind of Home
When I first met Vanessa in 2019, what struck me most was her quiet confidence. She appeared calm when focusing on her five children (ages 2-9), composed when encountering customers at Plates Café, and projected an overall sense of being in total control. Little did I know the true story behind Vanessa’s kind eyes. When…
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