How My Community Rallied to Help One Refugee Household

I first learned about Shelter in Peace (SIP) when its president, Anna Rossi, came to my church to discuss its work. SIP is a local nonprofit providing transitional housing and rent assistance for immigrants, refugees, and low-income families in Alameda County. “Imagine, if you will,” she said, “escaping from danger in your native land and …

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How I Survived My Debut Book Publishing Journey at 55 Years Old

Forty-two – it’s the answer to life, the universe, and everything[i]. It’s also my new lucky number -- the number of queries I wrote before signing a book publishing contract. Most Hero's Journeys start with a starry-eyed protagonist like Frodo Baggins, Harry Potter, or Luke Skywalker, but mine starts as a 55-year-old dance instructor with …

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