My Angel, Janet, Cared and Fought for Me!
Angela Montoya's story is a powerful example of resilience and the transformative power of community support in helping individuals overcome homelessness and achieve stability. With the assistance of The United Effort Organization, Angela transitioned from living in a shuttle van to securing a stable home, which significantly improved her well-being and sense of security.
Angela was born in Mountain View and grew up in Campbell and San Jose. She graduated from Valley Christian High School and joined Teen Missions, traveling to Africa in 1982 to help build dormitories. On her way to South Africa, Angela and her mother had the opportunity to visit Florida, Spain, Germany, Egypt and Israel. A gifted artist with a telent for drawing, decorating and organizing, these travels continue to influence her perspectives. Though Angela had been accepted to attend Bethany Bible College, she decided against it, getting caught up in the social lives of friends who, she later realized, were not focused on their futures.
Angela worked hard throughout her life, first in word processing, then as a librarian, and file clerk. After many years dedicated to one company, she took a promotion at another, only to be impacted by a lay-off only ~one year later. She then took whatever work she could find, often taking seasonal and sporadic jobs at concert and sports venues such as Shoreline and Levi's Stadium, home of the 49ers. Her work schedule became highly irregular, with no fixed employment, as she was only called upon for specific events like concerts and football games. During certain months of the year, Angela had no work at all, making it impossible to accurately calculate her annual income based on her sporadic pay periods. A lover of dogs, especially Labradors and other intelligent, trainable breeds, Angela remained positive with help from her chocolate lab, Molly (who has since passed away).
After her divorce, Angela found herself without a permanent home. She initially stayed with friends but felt uncomfortable imposing on them, especially when some male friends expected more from her in return. Unwilling to reciprocate their advances, she chose to find alternative living arrangements.
Angela attempted to live in a tent, keeping her surroundings clean and tidy, which gained her the acceptance of the Cupertino Police. However, she knew that nearby homeowners were not pleased with her presence. With her limited resources, Angela purchased a shuttle van and converted it into a living space. She parked the van in Mountain View, sometimes utilizing Safe Parking programs, but even there, she faced harassment. For four years, Angela lived in her van without running water, heating, or air conditioning, enduring the stigma and hardships that came with it. Throughout her challenging journey, Angela remained polite and respectful to her neighbors, although they were not always receptive.
Eventually, Angela met Officer Janleah McPherson, who took the time to listen to her story and recognized her determination to find a safe home. Officer McPherson referred Angela to The United Effort Organization, where she met Janet, a volunteer specializing in affordable housing searches. With Janet's unwavering support, Angela was able to secure a safe and stable apartment. This transition brought significant improvements to her life, providing her with running water, a bathroom, and amenities such as a refrigerator, which allowed her to enjoy simple pleasures like strawberry ice cream. Angela expressed immense gratitude for her new home, describing it as overwhelming and a profound blessing.
Angela's story highlights the importance of compassionate community support and the need for tailored assistance for individuals experiencing homelessness. She emphasizes that not all homeless individuals are the same and that many work hard but struggle to break free from poverty. She credits Officer McPherson and The United Effort for their kindness and support, which played a crucial role in her journey to stable housing.