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The SARAH StoryIn 2016, the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH) was designated as the Continuum of Care (CoC) lead agency for San Antonio and Bexar County. As the region's CoC, SARAH secures and distributes funding for direct service providers in the housing and homeless community and provides guidance to improve policies and programs. SARAH is responsible for collaborating with, listening to, and collecting data from the housing and homeless community to ensure everyone has a place to call home.
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Our Mission
We exist to ensure everyone has a place to call home in San Antonio and Bexar County.
Our Values
We are Empowering Partners.
We see the potential in people, lead with trust, embrace differences, and elevate strengths.
We are Relentless Learners.
We strive to be subject matter experts and recognize setbacks as opportunities for growth.
We are Resourceful Problem Solvers.
We embrace optimism, innovation, and excellence as we face adversity and tackle problems.
We are Systems Leaders.
We cultivate collaboration and nurture the health of the whole.
We see the potential in people, lead with trust, embrace differences, and elevate strengths.
We are Relentless Learners.
We strive to be subject matter experts and recognize setbacks as opportunities for growth.
We are Resourceful Problem Solvers.
We embrace optimism, innovation, and excellence as we face adversity and tackle problems.
We are Systems Leaders.
We cultivate collaboration and nurture the health of the whole.
SARAH Team
Katie Vela
Executive Director |
Richard Huron
Director of Finance & Administration |
Chelsey Viger
Community Development Associate |
Billy Mahone III
Senior Director of Strategic Planning & Partnerships |
Eboni Jett
Senior Director of System Advancement |
Dr. Amanda Hernandez
Equity Development Associate |
Virginia Woodard
Office Manager |
Patricia Palomo
Training & Technical Assistance Manager |
Dacey Werba
Strategic Planning Manager |
Alfonzo Galvan
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Azhalia Ramirez
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Joshua Yates
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Judith Andrade
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Crystal Santibanez
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Allura Guerra
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Board of Directors
Leilah Powell
Board President Executive Director, LISC San Antonio |
La Juana Chambers Lawson
Founder & CEO Tacit Growth Strategies LLC |
Phil Beckett
Treasurer CEO, C3HIE |
Tyler Shoesmith
Secretary Executive Director Office of Pupil Personnel Services NEISD |
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Scott Ackerson
Membership Council Chair Director of Social Impact Studio at WestEast Design Group |
Kameron Rhys
Vice President Lived Expertise Advisory Board |
William McManus
Chief of Police San Antonio Police Department |
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Javier Salazar
County Sheriff Bexar County |
Edward Johnson
Deputy CEO VIA Metropolitan Transit |
Melody Woosley
Director Department of Human Services City of San Antonio |
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Cacie Madrid
Vice President of Public Policy, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce |
Dr. Jack Tsai
Campus Dean and Professor UTHealth School of Public Health |
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Cristina Noriega
Artist CNoriega Fine Arts Inc. Greg Zlotnick
Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor St. Mary's University School of Law |
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CoC Board Meeting Minutes
2023 CoC Board Meeting Minutes
SARAH CoC Governance Charter
Advisory Boards
Youth Action Board
The YAB is comprised of young adults 17 to 25, the majority of whom have lived experience of homelessness. The YAB is responsible for representing the youth homeless community in San Antonio by focusing on long-term solutions to safely house all youth, centering the youth voice in policy change & program development, and advocating for improvements in the homeless response system.
Board Liaison: Kameron Rhys
SARAH Staff Lead: Suyapa Muñoz |
Lived Expertise Advisory Board
The LEAB advises and informs the TX-500 Continuum of Care by representing the homeless community in San Antonio, and focusing on improvements of the current homeless response system for adults and families. The LEAB members aim to create a dignified and equitable homeless response system for any of our community members who are at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness.
Board Liaison: Vacant
SARAH Staff Lead: Dacey Werba |
Board Committees
HMIS & Data Advisory CommitteeThe HMIS and Data Advisory Committee is to collaboratively manage the strategic direction, implementation, and administration of the HMIS. Furthermore, this committee will oversee the CoC’s strategy to collect, analyze, and report data to HUD and to the community. This body will be charged as the initial point of communication for the HMIS Lead to the CoC Board, second only to regular strategic and operational meetings held between the HMIS Lead and Collaborative Applicant staff. This committee will operate in alignment with the priorities of the CoC Board of Directors and the community’s Homeless Strategic Plan.To learn more, click here.
Committee Chair: Phillip Beckett
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Homeless Response System Advisory CommitteeThis committee ensures that the local homelessness response system meets our community needs most efficiently and effectively by identifying goals that support community priorities, addressing barriers by methodically evaluating challenges and then developing and implementing solutions as well as collaborating with program stakeholders to identify and discuss community efforts that will improve service and housing connections for people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. This group also serves as the initial communication point for policy and evaluation updates from the Coordinated Entry Lead (SARAH) to the CoC Board of Directors.
Committee Chair: Melody Woosley
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SARAH in the News
Federal homelessness funding for San Antonio continues to rise
March 29, 2023 Federal funding for the agency responsible for coordinating the programs and agencies that serve people experiencing homelessness in Bexar County grew by more than 20% over last year, officials announced Wednesday. |
Rising housing costs out of reach for people transitioning from homelessness
August 2, 2022 Local agencies struggling to help as rent costs soar, CARES Act funding dwindles 
Report: Chronic homelessness in San Antonio up 77% from 2020
May 26, 2022 The homeless population rate in San Antonio has largely remained steady, according to the 2022 Point-in-Time... |
City of San Antonio aims to turn east-side motel into permanent supportive housing
June 15, 2022 The urgent need for additional permanent supportive housing comes during a time where chronic homelessness... 
Affordable housing advocates prioritize permanent supportive housing after voters pass historic bond
May 9, 2022 More than 600 people with longterm disabilities are on a waiting list for permanent supportive housing in San Antonio |
How COVID Has Changed Homelessness in Texas
June 1, 2022 Pandemic relief funds have provided a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for homeless support programs... 
Why data is being collected on the homeless population in San Antonio
March 4, 2022 Coordinators say this year’s count is vital because last year the effort was canceled due to pandemic concerns |
Housing Surge Initiative in San Antonio exceeds 5-month goal
December 20, 2021 A single father who’d been living in a van with his five children is among 538 unhoused individuals and families no longer out on the streets |
More than 500 families placed in homes since August
December 13, 2021 “The South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless and the City of San Antonio’s Department of Huma… |
Employment Opportunities
*No Current Openings*
Internship Opportunities
*No Current Openings*
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SARAH Full-Time Employee Benefits
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- Paid Holidays: SARAH currently provides Team Members with 16 paid holidays each year, including a floating holiday the month of your birthday!
- Paid Time Off (PTO): Full-time employees begin accruing PTO immediately upon hire. Accrual rates increase with years of service, and up to 160 hours can be rolled over year-to-year.
- Personal and Family Leave: SARAH allows up to 12 weeks of personal or family leave in a rolling 12-month period, including four weeks of paid leave after one year of employment.
- Flexibility: SARAH offers employees the flexibility to work in-office or from home on a day-to-day basis, with in-person meetings and on-site visits required. General SARAH Office Hours of Operation are Monday – Friday, with start times ranging from 7:00a – 9:00a depending on employee availability and preference.