Grateful Client Story: Gladys Finds Home
Gladys is home now.
After seven months as a beloved member of the WeHOPE at Berryessa Safe Parking community, Gladys Quinones turned the key to her own apartment in Campbell this January. It was a moment years in the making—a fresh start she had fought so hard to reach.
Health challenges had left Gladys without a home, but they never dimmed her determination. Throughout her time with us, she held onto hope. With the dedicated support of our program staff, she navigated the complex process of securing senior housing and, step by step, made her way back to stability and independence.
Gladys's story is both inspiring and urgent. She represents a growing crisis facing our community: approximately 146,000 adults aged 55 and older experienced homelessness across the United States in 2024—a 6% increase from the previous year, accounting for 20% of the total homeless population. Experts project that number will triple by 2030.
The challenges facing homeless seniors are profound. Many experience health issues equivalent to housed individuals 10 to 20 years older, including higher rates of cognitive impairment, falls, and memory loss. This makes compassionate, targeted support not just helpful—but critical for successful transitions like Gladys's.
When Gladys returned to visit the Berryessa site recently, the joy was palpable. She greeted staff with the warmth and gratitude that had become her signature during her stay.
“Thank you for helping me get qualified for senior housing and helping me complete my paperwork to get my own place. I would’ve never been able to do it without you. I feel like you understand how it is to be homeless and as a woman what a struggle it can be, especially at my age!”
"When she arrived, she immediately greeted me with a warm hug, expressing her gratitude for our time together during her stay," said Victoria Garibaldi, program manager at WeHOPE at Berryessa. "It was heartwarming to see her again."
While WeHOPE at Berryessa Safe Parking serves clients of all ages, stories like Gladys's remind us why supporting our senior community members matters so deeply. Every person deserves a place to call home—and with your help, we can make that possible.
