When Someone Opens a Door

Sometimes the first step toward a better job—and a better future—is having a place to sleep. And sometimes, all it takes to make that possible is someone willing to open a door.

When Terry (not his real name) lost his job after more than 20 years in operations and warehouse supervision, he went through most of his savings. Eventually, he could no longer afford his apartment.

In April 2026, without a car and with nowhere else to go, Terry began sleeping in a park in Milpitas. He found ways to get by—finding sources for free food, taking VTA light rail to Dignity on Wheels for showers and laundry, and spending long days at the San José Public Library's King Library, using their computers to apply for jobs.

Even with determination, the days felt heavy.

“I was doing everything I could,” Terry says. “But when you become homeless, it seems like all you can do is put your name on lists and wait. You call, you check in. You keep doing that for months. It feels like there’s no accountability. You ask and don’t get answers.”

Then Terry met UEO.

At a UEO outreach event in Milpitas on May 18, Terry found something different.

“Right away UEO was different. Volunteers explained what they could actually do to help,” he says.

UEO helped Terry strengthen his resume, apply for jobs, access transportation and other resources, and identify practical next steps.

“Knowing they could offer something tangible that would help me move forward was extremely beneficial,” Terry says.

Over the next several months, Terry consistently met with UEO volunteers and staff and followed through on each step.

But one of the biggest changes came when Terry gained something many people take for granted: a stable place to live.

A room—and an opportunity

In July, UEO told Terry about the new Live Where You Work. Retire Where You Belong (LWYW) pilot, created to connect local workers and retirees who need affordable housing with community members who have space to share.

That connection led Terry to Judy Fusco, a Los Altos resident who had already opened her backyard cottage to several UEO clients. One of her renters had recently moved on, creating an opportunity for Terry. Another UEO client, Scott, was already renting a room in the cottage.

With assistance from the Community Services Agency for his first month's rent, and support from UEO's LWYW grant from the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation for his second and third months, Terry moved into Judy's backyard cottage.

For Judy, opening her cottage to people in the community isn't new. She has already seen several renters move forward to their next chapter.

For Terry, the difference was immediate.

“Having the room in Judy’s backyard cottage made it much easier for me to search for work,” he says. “I could take care of life’s necessities and get to interviews refreshed and on time.”

Just two weeks after moving in, Terry landed a job as a warehouse supervisor at a local stadium with Levy Restaurants, part of Compass Group.

A hand up—and a willingness to keep moving

Terry is quick to emphasize that support is only part of the equation.

“While support helps, when people are capable, they have to do the work themselves,” he says.

“As a client, you must be serious yourself. UEO will help with your resume, applying for jobs, mentorship, getting a free phone, and applying for things like free bus or train passes if you need them—pretty much anything you need for your next step.”

Today, Terry is working again, saving money, planning to buy a car, and rebuilding his savings. He also has a place where his children can visit him.

And he's already referring other people experiencing homelessness to UEO.

“UEO helps restore faith because they actually help,” Terry says. “All the small things they help with add up.”

You can be part of someone's next chapter

Terry's story took persistence. It took support. It took a job opportunity.

And it took Judy opening her door.

Judy had an available room in her backyard cottage. By renting it to Terry, she provided something that went far beyond four walls: a stable place from which he could work, save, and rebuild his life.

That's the idea behind the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation's Live Where You Work challenge and UEO's Live Where You Work, Retire Where You Belong pilot.

There are people who want to continue living and working in our community but cannot afford a traditional apartment on their own. And there are homeowners—and renters with permission to sublet—who may have a room, ADU, or other space they could share.

For the person renting the space, the benefits can include affordable housing, stability, and a path forward. For the person providing the space, it can mean rental income, companionship, or even help with small household tasks.

One available room can create an opportunity. One open door can change what comes next.

Could you be the person who opens that door?

Get in touch with us via info@theunitedeffort.org!