Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Rios.
Hi Sandra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
A Lifetime of Resilience, A Vision for Compassion
I was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Garland, surrounded by a loving family who shaped who I am today. My mother, Dianna, my father, Kenneth, my oldest sister Keva, my brother Demetrius, and my youngest sister Bianca — they taught me the power of perseverance, gratitude, and heart. Without their unwavering support, I wouldn’t possess the determination that drives me now.
From a young age, I loved the rhythm of community — playing with friends, sharing laughter, and looking after others. I occasionally visited the school nurse to report aches, only to hear the familiar, “You sound like an old person. Get back to class.” In middle school, I found my pace on the track and on the basketball court, and afterward I would tell the trainers about my pains, often to no avail. Those early experiences shaped my resolve to advocate for my own health and, later, for others who are underserved.
My journey has been marked by profound challenges. One morning, I woke to find I could not walk. I became bed-bound and spent two years in a vegetative state. At fourteen, I was diagnosed with lupus; in truth, the road revealed that I was living with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. My white blood cells waged war against my body, aging me as if I were an 86-year-old, a trial that tested every limit of my spirit.
The team at Texas Scottish Rite diagnosed the condition anew and crafted a recovery plan. Against the odds, I began to reclaim my confidence and self-worth through grit, medical care, and unwavering hope. Yet adversity continued to knock. I faced neglect from home health care agencies, bed sores, and cruel lapses in service that left me isolated in unsanitary conditions. Medication management faltered, arthritis tightened its grip on my hands, and steroids contributed to another kind of visibility — blindness in my left eye.
These moments of desperation became turning points. I pursued physical therapy and water-based rehab, two pivotal steps toward reclaiming mobility and dignity. Even as weight crept up to 300 pounds during the long bed-bound period, I refused to surrender. I underwent gastric bypass surgery, endured double knee replacements, and embraced rehabilitation anew, determined to walk again.
Through these trials, a purpose emerged: to transform pain into practical compassion. In 2009, I launched Hart Referrals, a consulting agency dedicated to holistic well-being. Our mission expanded to help people navigate Medicare, Medicaid, home health care, and hospice care — a network of resources designed to support vulnerable individuals in reclaiming independence and dignity.
Today, Hart to Home Texas stands as a beacon of service. We address housing needs, feed the homeless weekly, and participate in fundraising to aid those facing unemployment. For individuals without family, we step in as payee representatives, ensuring a stable foothold during life’s most uncertain moments. Our work is rooted in empathy, guided by the resilience that once carried me from a wheelchair to a life of purpose.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. It’s been a road marked by fierce challenges, moments of doubt, and hard-fought resilience. Here are some of the pivotal struggles along the way:
Early health battles and misdiagnoses
Facing persistent pains and health concerns during school years, with feelings of being dismissed or dismissed as “just a kid.”
A life-changing harrowing period where I became bed-bound and diagnosed with lupus, later clarified as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. My body felt like it aged decades in a short time.
Escalating physical limits and medical hurdles
The shift from wheelchair confinement to a long recovery arc, including grueling physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Ongoing pain, mobility challenges, and complications from arthritis that affected hands, arms, and legs.
Steroid treatment contributing to additional health complications, including temporary vision loss in one eye.
Gaps in care and neglect
Encounters with home health care agencies that failed to provide timely, consistent, and compassionate care, leading to bed sores and worsened conditions.
Medication management difficulties and inconsistent support that threatened progress and safety.
Weight and mobility setbacks
Weight gain during extended bed rest, culminating in a peak around 300 pounds, which added strain to joints and mobility.
Major surgeries and recovery cycles
Gastrectomy (weight loss surgery) to address obesity-related health issues.
Double knee replacements and a renewed commitment to therapy to relearn how to walk.
Emotional and psychological toll
The weight of living with chronic illness, the fear of dependency, and the emotional impact of repeated setbacks.
The challenge of staying hopeful and motivated when progress felt slow or uncertain.
Advocacy and systemic barriers
Turning personal hardship into a mission to help others, which revealed gaps in access to housing, healthcare, and social support.
Building a path from patient experience to creating organizations that navigate complex systems (Medicare, Medicaid, home health care, hospice), and ensuring vulnerable individuals don’t fall through the cracks.
Through it all, what kept me moving was an unwavering belief that hardship can be transformed into purpose. Each setback taught me empathy, endurance, and the importance of reliable, compassionate care. Today, those lessons power Hart to Home Texas and our mission to support housing, food security, and access to vital services for those in need.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Hart to Home Texas, ORG. & Hart Referrals LLC?
Hart to Home Texas: Profiles in Compassion, Community, and Continuity
What we are
Hart to Home Texas is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable individuals to live with dignity, independence, and security.
We operate as a holistic resource hub, bridging housing, healthcare, and social support for families and seniors in need.
Our work spans direct service, advocacy, and coordinated care through a network of trusted partners and resources.
What we do
Housing and stability: Help individuals secure safe, stable housing and navigate housing-related barriers.
Food security and essential needs: Organize weekly efforts to feed the unhoused and assist clients with groceries and essential supplies.
Care coordination and access: Guide clients through Medicare, Medicaid, home health agencies, and hospice/palliative care, ensuring timely access to services.
Payee and financial support: Serve as payee representatives for individuals without family support, safeguarding resources and ensuring financial stability.
Community partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations (including Salvation Army and other community partners) to extend reach and deepen impact.
What we specialize in / known for
A survivor-led, client-centered approach: Our founder’s journey informs every decision, fueling a commitment to authenticity, empathy, and practical help.
Comprehensive care navigation: We don’t just connect people to services—we coordinate a continuum of care so that medical, housing, and daily-need supports are aligned.
Dignity-first assistance: We treat every person with respect, meeting them where they are and empowering them to reclaim independence.
Reliability in the face of adversity: We respond quickly to changing needs, offer consistent follow-through, and build trust with communities we serve.
What sets us apart
Holistic, person-centered solutions: Rather than siloed services, we provide a unified path that addresses housing, health, and human services together.
Advocacy grounded in lived experience: Our work is informed by real-life challenges, which drives smarter processes, clearer guidance, and more compassionate care.
Strong community networks: Our partnerships with healthcare providers, housing organizations, and nonprofit allies amplify impact and create a safety net for those who fall through the cracks.
Ethical stewardship: We are transparent, accountable, and dedicated to safeguarding the dignity and autonomy of every client.
What we’re most proud of brand-wise
A recognizable commitment to compassion in action: Our brand stands for reliability, empathy, and tangible, positive outcomes.
Message of empowerment: We emphasize ability over limitation, highlighting stories of people reclaiming independence and thriving.
Consistency and integrity: We build long-term relationships with clients and partners through clear communication, ethical practices, and measurable impact.
What we want readers to know
Hart to Home Texas is more than a charity; we are a lifeline that coordinates housing, health, and daily support to help vulnerable individuals live with dignity.
Our services are scalable and adaptable to diverse community needs, with a focus on sustainable, person-centered outcomes.
We welcome collaboration—whether you’re a donor, volunteer, partner organization, or a member of the community in need, your involvement strengthens our ability to serve.
Our mission is actionable: provide practical help today while building a foundation for lasting independence tomorrow.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Hart to Home Texas use connecteme organize our volunteer workers with assignments
Pricing:
- representative payee services start at $180 per month
- Hart To Home Texas notary services start at $160 a month plus gas
- Hart To Home Texas membership start at $2000 for marketing
- Hart To Home Texas placement fees, 100% of rent per referral we receive half the first month half the second month per Patient
Contact Info:
- Website: https://harttohometexas.com
- Instagram: hartreferrals,llc.org
- Facebook: Michelle hart@facebook.com
Image Credits
millie photography
STUDIO 1 photography
Exxcel Model & Talent
