Bellringer: Once homeless, Ventura woman becomes role model for her grandchildren

Laura Krolikowski
·2 min read

Sandra Alderete missed her grandchildren so much and looked forward to hearing their adorable voices when they called. Soon, the calls and pictures weren’t enough. She ached to be near them. So, she packed up and moved to California.

But once in California, things weren’t that easy. Her daughter’s home was too crowded and she ended up living alone in her car. Fortunately, she found a safe place to park and a way to connect with other services, thanks to a Salvation Army program.

A few weeks later, the Salvation Army's Ventura corps offered Alderete her own room at its Hope Center, which has been serving Ventura since 1992 with transitional housing, medical resources and other needs through a variety of partnerships.

For Alderete, the Hope Center was much more than an interim home — it was a community. She grew close to the other residents and the staff. Eventually, with a voucher and a lot of effort, she secured her own home in Ventura. Alderete was approved in December but waited to move so she could be with her Hope Center community during Christmas.

An artist draws in the patio of the Salvation Army's Hope Center in downtown Ventura during an open house in August.
An artist draws in the patio of the Salvation Army's Hope Center in downtown Ventura during an open house in August.

Alderete is now an employee of the Salvation Army. With 20 years of previous work in the optometry field, she was a great fit for the eye clinic.

“I am so grateful there was a position there,” she said through tears. “Working there has been so rewarding.”

Now independent with a job and her own home, Alderete is a great role model for her grandchildren. She feels blessed to be where she wants to be, thanks to the resources offered through The Salvation Army.

To donate online, visit https://bit.ly/vcstar-bellringer, or mail donations to Bellringer Campaign, The Salvation Army Ventura, Attn: Laura Krolikowski, 650 S. Petit Ave., Ventura, CA 93004. Your donation may be made in honor or memory of someone. You may also donate anonymously.

New donors

  • Elizabeth Ammons: $208, in memory of David and Robert Ammons and Elizabeth Ammons

  • Constance Bliss: $250, in memory of Ralph P. Bliss

  • Kent Brinkmeyer: $104

  • Vinson Jay Gilliam: $400

  • Jennifer J. Leonard: $100, in memory of Jack Leonard

  • Marvin L Long: $50, in memory of Melvin and Freda Long.

  • Sam and Barbara Marsh: $300

  • John Marshall: $200, in memory of Ed Samples, Bill Law, Mamie Conley and Dicie Marshall

  • Nancy McAtee: $25, in memory of Anthony Wayne McAtee

  • Bob and Bev Millhouse: $250, in memory of Michael Obradvoich

  • Warren R. Paap: $100

  • Chuck and Susan Samonsky: $150, in memory of Frank Sieh

  • Todd Tanner: $500

  • Anonymous: $104

  • Anonymous: $500

  • Anonymous: $1,040

Total to date: $4,489

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Bellringer: Ventura woman becomes role model for her grandchildren