Any given day, Bill Miller might bring a meal to a senior living on the streets, counsel National CORE staff on how to help residents battling a disability, navigate a website accessibility need or advise Capital Improvements on modifications to an older development.
As National CORE’s Director of Accessibility, Bill’s scope of responsibilities spans all departments and even extends into the broader communities served by National CORE and Hope through Housing Foundation.
In his role at National CORE, Bill frequently helps individuals with disabilities understand that they deserve equitable treatment.
“Everybody deserves the benefits of what we are doing,” Bill said. “Having a stable place to live is the most basic need that human beings have. Being in a wheelchair or being blind or having a mental health issue or having a kid on the autism spectrum shouldn’t preclude you from getting those same benefits. You deserve comfort and safety, just like everybody else.”
Bill joined National CORE in 2019 as a coordinator for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504, which provides resources to individuals with disabilities.
He’s worked in the disabilities field since 1995 and holds a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, counseling for education and vocational and psychological counseling. He also holds a Ph.D. in education.
“Bill Miller brings the mission of National CORE to life with his passion and dedication to the most vulnerable of the populations we serve,” said Dorrie Bryan, Senior Vice President of operations and human resources. “He exemplifies our efforts to transform lives.”
Bill’s passion for accessibility is evident in all his interactions – whether it’s ensuring the National CORE website is available to all users or reaching out to a person on the street – like Annie Brown or the Kaufman brothers.
Annie Brown connected with Bill after losing her apartment during the pandemic.
A senior dealing with mobility issues, she would use her social security to obtain shelter at a motel in Fontana. But the funds always ran out before the end of the month, forcing her to spend a few days each month on the street – in a wheelchair.
“She got mugged multiple times while she was on the street – her purse was yanked off her chair, her laptop was stolen,” he said. “It was just a terrible cycle.”
Annie called National CORE to inquire about housing and was directed to Bill. After hearing her story, he jumped in – lending a hand while he connected her with social services in the area.
“I’d bring her food or water or some toiletries if she needed it, so she wouldn’t be draining her money every month and then have nothing,” he said.
He helped her secure vouchers for temporary shelter while she awaited an opening at a National CORE community. After a struggle with medical issues and COVID, she found a home at the Gardens on Sierra.
The staff there pitched in to buy her a bed and National CORE employees donated furniture – giving her two wonderful, peaceful years.
“She ended up passing away last year – a combination of her age and medical situation. In her two years prior to that, though, she had a roof overhead, and her health was getting addressed,” he said. “She was really nice. Staff at the Gardens liked her. She made friends in the building. So, her life was substantially better in those last couple of years.”
The Kaufman brothers faced a different challenge. The brothers were injured when muggers broke bricks over their heads, which led to a need for rehabilitation and treatment. But they were living in a tiny apartment they could barely afford in a tough neighborhood of Ontario.
Then, they were picked by lottery for Vista Verde.
National CORE team members and the brothers’ church helped move them in – and the change couldn’t be more palpable.
“They are doing very well. They are very happy, very social. They join bingo and card games. They love the pool. They tell us they can’t believe the luxury, like they are living in a mansion with a view of the mountains,” Bill said.
Bill has more stories like these – including treks to bring individuals experiencing homelessness paper copies of National CORE’s housing applications because they lack access to the digital form.
He also helps provide accommodations to residents with disabilities. That can involve helping to determine whether a request for accommodation is reasonable, helping someone fill out the paperwork for an emotional support animal or training resident services managers on how best to connect with residents with disabilities.
This can be especially important at National CORE communities, where many residents live for decades.
“National CORE’s goal is to improve people’s lives,” he said. “We want to give them really nice places to live because we want that to be the basis for changing their lives, for improving their lives.”
Recently, he became involved in Hope through Housing’s after-school programs as more students with disabilities began participating.
He also is working with Capital Improvements on rehabilitation efforts on older properties, built before current ADA requirements.
Each of those efforts brings him face to face with the folks National CORE is dedicated to helping. He wouldn’t want it any other way.
“The whole point of what we are doing is improving people’s lives and you can’t do that without meeting them and seeing them progress,” he said. “Seeing someone’s life improve is the reward. This is why we do this.”