A Full-Circle Moment: Resident Services Work Pays Off for Local Family

Sandra Aguilar, Associate Director of Resident Services, is deeply dedicated to her community and the individuals she serves. Recently, she experienced a full-circle moment that reaffirmed why she has devoted her career to serving families through Catholic Charities Housing Services.

Sandra first connected with the Soto family in 2012, shortly after helping launch an on-site early learning program, Play and Learn, in partnership with Catholic Charities Early Learning. She also helped establish an after-school program for children and youth at Blessed Kateri Village, a multi-unit housing community operated by Catholic Charities Housing Services in Wapato. At the time, five-year-old Christian Soto began attending the new program regularly. Often, his mother, Maria, and baby brother, Alexander, stayed to watch. Alexander was initially shy, but within a year, he was making friends and enjoying the program alongside his brother.

Although the program was managed and staffed by Jesuit volunteers, Sandra occasionally filled in and took time to get to know the boys and their mother. She recalls the family’s regular participation in additional programming offered through Catholic Charities and remembers helping Maria schedule appointments with the Mexican Consulate and connect with the Northwest Community Action Center. Eventually, a third son, Joseph, was born, and the family of five continued taking part in many of the educational and social opportunities offered through the Resident Services Program. As the years passed, Sandra transitioned into a more administrative role and was less directly involved in daily programming. Still, she kept in touch with Maria and often saw the boys around the community after school.

Last fall, Sandra and her team organized a college tour for residents of Blessed Kateri Village. The goal was to show youth some of the educational and career opportunities that could be available to them. The team took seven students to Yakima Valley College in Grandview and Heritage University in Toppenish, where participants learned about career pathways, postsecondary education and financial aid.

Sandra served as one of the chaperones and was thrilled to see all three Soto boys in attendance: Christian, a high school senior; Alexander, a junior; and Joseph, an eighth grader. She had the opportunity to reconnect with them and hear firsthand how much they enjoyed the experience and how they were thinking about their futures.

The experience was already meaningful, but the moment became even more powerful a few months later. In March 2026, Sandra received an email from Resident Services Coordinator Alexis Ibarra, who works closely with families to keep them connected to resources and support.

Alexis shared exciting news: Maria had called to report that Christian had applied to Heritage University and had been accepted. Christian will be the first in his family to graduate from high school and will also be a first-generation college student!

The news nearly brought Sandra to tears.

“This is why we do what we do,” she said. “Catholic Charities Housing Services is dedicated to helping underserved and overlooked...not just to help them out of crises, but also to help them improve their lives for the future. Christian graduating from high school and being accepted into Heritage is testimony to all I believe in. He makes me really proud.” 

Alexis continues to meet regularly with Christian and Maria, assisting with a Catholic Charities Housing Services scholarship application and providing resources related to education and career opportunities in Washington.

“We are looking forward to supporting Christian and his family as he moves on to the next chapter of his life,” Alexis said. “I can’t wait to see his future!"