Sunrise Stories: Sandra

In February of 2026, Sandra’s life completely changed after losing her job. She immediately felt a wave of uncertainty not only about her career, but her ability to maintain stable housing. She began applying for unemployment, and as anyone who has gone through this knows, that process can be very slow. While waiting for an answer, Sandra was facing the fear of falling behind on rent.

The weeks following were a balancing act of advocating for unemployment benefits and keeping up with rent. Sandra needed help and needed it quickly. This is where Sunrise stepped in.

Sandra was connected to a Case Manager who treated her situation with urgency and compassion. Sunrise was able to secure rental assistance for March, April, and May. This support ensured that Sandra didn’t lose her home during a very vulnerable period of her life.

“I was able to maintain my housing while pursuing unemployment

wages and rebuilding my financial footing. Their assistance didn’t just cover rent, it

protected my stability, my dignity, and my ability to move forward without the added

trauma of housing loss.” -Sandra

From there, Sunrise and El Buen Samaritano teamed up to coordinate with Sandra’s landlord to make sure ACH payments were successfully processed. This teamwork gave Sandra something she desperately needed: stability. While she was navigating the unemployement process, Sunrise and El Buen Samaritano made sure her housing remained secure.

“I am deeply grateful for the compassion, professionalism, and dedication shown by

Sunrise. Their support helped me navigate one of the most challenging

moments of my life with strength and hope, while I continue to look for work and target

getting interviews.” -Sandra