Sandra is proof that it’s never too late to look for a new calling.
She was raised in Pomona, where her family had a successful garment business. Following in her father’s footsteps, Sandra worked as an executive in the garment industry for over thirty years before seeking out what she wanted next in life.
When Sandra retired, she began tutoring and giving in-home care. And what she found was so much more than a new calling. She found a way to help and uplift others while working as a caregiver— a way to spread joy. And a way to receive it as well.
“What I enjoy most is when I can see that it’s effective and that I’m making an impact on someone else’s life. I’m bringing joy. I’m bringing light. I’m supporting their independence.”
Sandra said the caregiver training she received from the Center for Caregiver Advancement had empowered her in her role. It not only helps her give better care but also better value herself and the generous work she does.
“We really have to understand that we are important, number one, in the work that we do. And number two, we don’t know it all. We must stay abreast, and we must continue to educate ourselves. We can feel positive about what we’re doing because we know we’re doing it correctly,” she said.
This new path, and the caregiver training she has received, have brought new meaning and happiness to Sandra’s life. And those around her are taking notice.
“The joy that I carry is contagious. I’m active in my church as well. [They] have defined me as director of health and safety. So it definitely plunged me into a broader perspective, just even in my life, period.”