At Community Partners in Caring, every ride tells a story—of kindness, resilience, and the powerful bond between people who may have never met otherwise.

Sheila and Michael, ages 75 and 76, live in Goleta and first connected with us in June 2024. At the time, Sheila reached out during a particularly difficult season in their lives. They were struggling to meet basic needs—food, bills, and challenges that stretched beyond the scope of our services. While we couldn’t assist directly, we did what we always strive to do: we listened, we cared, and we connected her with the support she needed.

A year later, in June 2025, Sheila and Michael officially became CPC clients. And on June 24, they received their very first ride through our volunteer program.

The day before, volunteer driver Camille L. had taken them to a medical appointment at UCLA Health Montecito Specialty Care. For Sheila and Michael, it was a crucial step in managing their health. But for Camille, it was something even more profound.

Camille had recently lost her job and was facing her own set of uncertainties. In the midst of transition, she chose to show up for someone else. Volunteering gave her a renewed sense of purpose—and in doing so, she brought not only transportation, but comfort and relief to a couple who truly needed it.

These are the moments that define our mission. Quiet acts of compassion. Strangers becoming lifelines. People helping people, even when their own path is uncertain.

Because when we care for one another, we all move forward—together.