Serving on EBALDC’s Resident Leadership Council: An Opportunity to Give Back

December 2020

45 Stories for 45 Years

Contributor: Cathy Eberhardt, Member of EBALDC Resident Leadership Council

I was living in Oakland, and commuting to San Francisco for work, when I became disabled. I moved to Richmond and was told that if I didn’t move back to Alameda County, I would lose my medical coverage.  As a result, I was forced into homelessness and I spent 18 months living in transitional housing and homeless shelters in the East Bay. 

A big part of the difficulty I faced during that time was due to biases against disabled individuals, which often led to my being mistreated, and my needs not being heard. I made a commitment to myself and my community that when I had found my way back to a more stable life, I would find a way to help those who have been through the same circumstances as I have. 

I was so fortunate, through the transitional housing program I was involved in, to be connected to SparkPoint Oakland to help build my financial health and work with a financial coach from EBALDC, a SparkPoint partner, who referred me to EBALDC’s housing waitlists.

In 2017, I moved into EBALDC’s Noble Tower with a renewed sense of purpose. The Resident Services Coordinator there introduced me to EBALDC’s Resident Leadership Council and I have been involved ever since. Now, in part because of the encouragement I received from EBALDC and SparkPoint, I see a future in leadership for myself. In addition to the community projects I lead at Noble and in Chinatown, I have participated in the East Bay Housing Organization Leadership Academy, as well as the Urban Habitat program under the Civic Leadership Committee. I was also appointed to the Mayor’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities on December 15. 

Serving on the Council has given me an opportunity to give back and make sure that my community is safe and well-taken care. It’s so important to listen to all members of a community — especially those of us with special needs.

As a living example of what it is to be homeless, I set my future goals to help the homeless. I am grateful to EBALDC for their support of my leadership to help me do my part and give back to the community. 

As EBALDC marks our 45th anniversary, we will be gathering more stories like this one from our friends, family, community members, partners and more stakeholders that have made our impact possible. We would be honored for you to join us:

  • Follow us on social media: @EBALDC

 

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