A New Beginning

The client, I'm currently assisting, lives in a Sober Living Environment after completing a 90-day residential treatment program. She attends Santa Rosa Junior College, where she is studying to become a substance use counselor. Her goal is to support others in recovery by drawing from her own lived experience. She actively participates in a student organization called Second Chances, which empowers justice-involved students. Recently, she shared her recovery testimony during a livestreamed club meeting, reaching members currently in custody at the county jail. She joined the club as part of her plan to expunge her criminal record.

In October 2024, she lost her job after failing a Department of Justice (DOJ) background check, a consequence of a DUI arrest six months earlier. Although losing the job was difficult, she now views it as the turning point in her life. With work no longer consuming her time, she entered treatment and began her recovery journey. She explained that, before treatment, she tried to manage her life but struggled due to addiction.

I first met with the client in February 2025 at The Living Room Life Center to help her apply for CalFresh. She qualified for benefits and received three months of retroactive payments because the county’s system was down when she originally applied in November 2024. Although she currently receives only $20 per month, she expressed deep gratitude and uses her EBT card to make healthy grocery choices. She expects her monthly benefit to increase once her Employment Development Department (EDD) unemployment benefits expire.

Today, I met with the client again at Face 2 Face, where I helped her apply for Medi-Cal so she can access care at Santa Rosa Community Health Center. She recently reinstated her driver’s license and purchased a car—another major step forward in rebuilding her life.

Since losing her job, she has steadily improved her quality of life. Accessing human services benefits has played a direct and empowering role in her progress. She continues to make thoughtful, healthy choices with her CalFresh benefits and remains engaged in her recovery and education. I reminded her that shopping at farmers markets offers double value through Market Match—more bang for her buck.