A letter to Common Good Community Members
Dear CGC Members,
My name is Cheryl Howard and I am a grateful member of Common Good Community. When I was introduced to Jason and Becky, it seemed like it was perfect timing. I'm going to be transparent by saying I had just been discharged from a Rehab program in Sacramento. The reason for me being there is not as intense as most would believe, but it was enough to cause me to be down about my life and I felt I had lost my direction. I was 61 years old at the time and I thought it was over for me, and it was time to put me out to pasture. I was in despair, I felt defeated, and I had to move into a home with seven other women. It is a Sober Living Environment house. I met Jason over the phone. I began to run down everything I was facing, and he patiently listened and offered some encouragement.
I told him that I wanted to write again and that I possibly wanted to go back to school. My initial goal was to get out of that house I was in. However Jason advised me to pursue my desire to return to school first. So, I applied to get into California State University, Sacramento. I had an associate's degree from Community College in 2004. Well, I was Accepted into Sac State. Believe it, that was a huge boost to my self-esteem and faith. My faith grew, my heart was encouraged, and I was a 62-year-old student. One of my classes was to be staff writer for the Sac State Hornet newspaper. Over the past year I have had several articles published. Then, other small victories were added to my life and I believed in myself again.
I needed a job, so I came across an opportunity that the college offered called College Corps, a California volunteer program. I acquired a paid fellowship position. I am paid a set salary each month, then, at the end of the year I will receive a grant for a large sum to do whatever I need or want to do with. Blessings continue to flow. One of my articles caught the attention of the Director over the entire communications and journalism department at Sac State. He praised me, and referred my talent to a friend of his, who just so happened to be the chief editor at the Sacramento Observer newspaper. Long story short, I was offered a freelance writer's position period from there I wrote my first article for them. According to them, the article was successful.
Fast forward a year and three months later I am doing well in my classes. I have money saved and my expected date of graduation is spring 2026. My health is better because my spirits are lifted. I am so thankful for Jason and Becky because they have gone with me all the way and they have always been there for me, and they've never left my side. The two of them go above and beyond anyone's expectations for their organization. If you are a member, then you have come across one of the best opportunities you could come across. Keep an eye out for me because I'm going places.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Howard
