UNDER THE STARS: DARE TO DREAM

Dreams. We all have them. We dream at night and daydream about the lives we want to build. Do you ever wonder what people living on the streets dream about? Can they dream?

For those without a home, a park bench, a doorway, or a concrete slab under a freeway may be the only place they can find shelter when the sun sets. There is no safe, warm bed to whisk them away into a deep, comforting sleep. It isn’t just their physical existence that is marginalized; it is their dreams, too. Sandi’s journey mirrors this struggle.

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sandi experienced a childhood of trauma. She left home at 20 and arrived in LA on a Greyhound bus on the 4th of July in 1985 with only the clothes on her back. She hadn’t eaten in 3 days. The bus driver took her to Redding, California, where her grandad lived and she ended up working for the California Conservation Corps. Bad luck and bad decisions led to the streets of the Tenderloin, drugs, and jail. During her time in jail she made herself a promise to get better.

Her journey eventually led her to Ritter Center where she got the help she needed. After enduring decades of trauma, this profoundly strong woman turned her life around. Now a tireless advocate, Sandi serves as a beacon of hope. Yet, there are many others in our community still living without a home or dreams.

On many occasions Sandi lived in a shelter while working multiple jobs. She had a temporary roof but it was noisy and she had little privacy. Sleep was still elusive.

We all know sleep is crucial for good health and well-being. Mental and physical health suffer under the relentless stress of survival, leaving little room for imagining a better future. And the path to homelessness is often slippery, with drugs used to stay awake, especially for women, to prevent theft, attacks, and rape.

Sandi’s story challenges us to rethink our perceptions of homelessness. Each person has a unique journey that deserves understanding and support.

But our culture often labels people experiencing homelessness as “weak” or “lesser than.” Maybe you’ve walked by someone holding a sign and thought: “Homeless people are dangerous!” “They just want money for drugs.”

The truth is that behind every sign lies a sad story: abuse, job loss, eviction, divorce, discrimination, disability, PTSD... the reasons are endless. Even a few nights sleeping on the streets can significantly impact a person’s physical and mental health.

Dreams fade amidst the harsh realities of life on the streets.

If a family member faced trauma or a mental health crisis, leading to lost work, wages, or even their home, you’d support their recovery and help them dream again. Sadly, many people experiencing homelessness lack this support. They depend on services like those from Ritter Center to find their way. We must normalize discussing mental health to create empathy and effective solutions for homelessness.

Ritter Center’s wrap-around care services are a lifeline for over 2,700 individuals annually, offering vital support such as medical and mental healthcare, food, benefits support, and housing assistance. These services not only help prevent and address homelessness but also uphold the dreams and dignity of individuals facing hardships.

Sandi’s transformation is a testament to the support of Ritter Center’s compassionate staff and the effectiveness of Whole Person Care and our Housing First approach. She credits this approach for her recovery, stating, “I addressed my pain and hope reappeared magically in its place. It was through Whole Person Care that I began to truly heal.”

Now housed and employed, Sandi has discovered her passion for food. Every Sunday, she renews her sense of healing by preparing meals for the homeless in Marin.

Throughout it all, Sandi never relinquished her dreams of becoming a motivational speaker and owning a food truck to serve the homeless. With the support of Ritter Center and a caring community, Sandi has brought her “Two Pots and a Pan” food truck to life. She now speaks regularly at events and serves on Ritter Center’s board, sharing her story of resilience and hope to inspire others.

Each individual experiencing homelessness that we’ve met was once filled with hopes, ambitions, and dreams similar to yours. Yet, as time passed and life’s circumstances mounted against them, their dreams became elusive.

Our mission is to help people who are struggling overcome their challenges and rebuild their opportunities, so they can start to dream again - but we need a community of care to do it.

Join us at Under the Stars: Dare to Dream - a Fundraiser to End Homelessness in Marin on May 16th, 5:30pm-8pm at Maple Lawn, Elks Lodge, San Rafael.

Enjoy guest speakers Mayor Kate Colin of San Rafael and Emmy-winning reporter Cornell Barnard from ABC7, a seated dinner by award-winning Big Jim’s BBQ, community awards, live music by S&S Jazz Band, lawn games, a live auction, and fund-a-need to raise funds for Ritter Center.

During the event, we will be honoring Sandi as well as other community supporters for their outstanding contributions, steadfast resolve, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those living in poverty.

This year’s theme, “Dare to Dream,” poignantly connects the experience of sleepless nights on the streets with the profound impact of homelessness and poverty on people’s life aspirations. Funds raised will directly support Ritter Center’s wraparound services and programs that prevent and resolve homelessness.

Every life has value and everyone deserves to dream.

Tickets $150 individual / $275 Couple. Buy tickets or donate online!

RitterCenterUndertheStars.org