Temporary housing is critical for asylum seekers, refugees or individuals in similar situations, said Tientcheu. In this case, the organization rented multi-room family homes to accommodate the migrants.

Nearly all of them left the housing before the six months was up.

“They usually just need a safe place to land for short periods of time so they can get their next steps in order,” Tientcheu said.

Castellanos and Yanez found their next temporary home through Miles, who has grown close to many of the migrants in the last year through Sacramento ACT.

The migrants were introduced to Miles in the days following their arrival. She drove them to thrift stores for clothing, taught them how to use regional transit and showed them around Sacramento.

Even now, Miles sees some migrants a few times a week — driving them to immigration appointments or the DMV. She often starts her interactions with migrants with a firm hug.

“I have them calling me Tia (aunt),” Miles said.

‘I’m fine staying’

A year since they met, Miles considers Castellanos and Yanez her friends.

She was a witness to their wedding last October and invited them to her home to celebrate Christmas. When the couple needed a temporary place to stay, Miles introduced them to a friend who needed a house and dog sitter while traveling.

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