Discover how flexible in-home senior care in Contra Costa County can help aging parents maintain independence while reducing burden on adult children with no shift minimums required.
Her Story
About Sakara
Sakara Sampson serves as the Executive Director and Owner of CareBuilders at Home of Contra Costa, California, where she leads efforts to provide compassionate non-medical in-home care that helps individuals maintain their dignity, independence, and quality of life. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sakara launched her business in early 2026, bringing her longstanding commitment to public service into entrepreneurship. Through her work, she aims to connect families with dependable care services, support caregivers, and help older adults and individuals in need remain safe and comfortable in their own homes.
Before launching her business, Sakara spent 17 years in public service with Alameda County, developing extensive experience in social services, behavioral health, quality improvement, and community development. She began her career in eligibility services, assisting individuals with food stamps, General Assistance, and Medi-Cal, before transitioning into behavioral health, where she advocated for clients to maintain access to essential benefits. She later worked in quality improvement, helping ensure programs met state standards, and advanced to responsibilities within the agency director’s office, where she helped oversee a discretionary fund of approximately $45 million for nonprofit organizations and community programs. Sakara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television from San Francisco State University. Her commitment to caregiving is also deeply rooted in her family history, inspired by her grandfather, who was among the early Black social workers in the county, and her mother, who dedicated years to caring for children and older adults.
Sakara’s leadership is guided by compassion, accountability, continuous learning, and the belief that humanity must always come first. She believes that recognizing the dignity of every individual and giving generously to others can create meaningful benefits for both the recipient and the giver. Drawing on her professional experience and family legacy, she is committed to building a trusted in-home care business that strengthens relationships among clients, families, and caregivers. She encourages aspiring professionals to remain curious, embrace every opportunity to learn, and follow through on their commitments to establish a strong professional reputation. Through CareBuilders at Home of Contra Costa, Sakara strives to expand access to compassionate care, empower others, and make a lasting, positive impact on her community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sakara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my 17 years of public service with Alameda County, where I developed a strong foundation in advocacy, community support, and helping vulnerable populations. Throughout my career, I gained valuable experience in public assistance, behavioral health, quality improvement, and nonprofit program oversight, including managing a discretionary fund of approximately $45 million. These experiences taught me the importance of accountability, compassion, and ensuring that resources are used effectively to meet community needs. Ultimately, my passion for helping others inspired me to transition into entrepreneurship and establish my own non-medical in-home care business. I believe success is not measured solely by business growth, but by the positive impact I make on individuals and families, the trust I build within my community, and my ability to help others maintain their dignity, independence, and quality of life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received came from my grandfather, who encouraged me to pursue a career in civil service and dedicate myself to helping others. My mother also deeply influenced my perspective through her years of caregiving, showing me the importance of compassion, dedication, and building meaningful relationships. In addition, my church and the managers and supervisors I encountered throughout my career encouraged me to recognize my potential and believe in my abilities. These experiences taught me that leadership is rooted in service, that we should remain open to learning and growth, and that using our strengths to support others can create a lasting and meaningful impact.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to take advantage of every opportunity to learn and gain as much knowledge as possible. The rules and requirements are constantly changing, so it is important to stay curious, remain adaptable, and make continuous learning a lifelong habit. Never be afraid to admit when you do not know something. Be willing to learn, commit to finding the right answers, and always follow up when you say you will. Consistency and accountability are essential to building a strong professional reputation. With time, experience, and dedication, you will develop the confidence and knowledge needed to pursue your own entrepreneurial goals and build something of your own.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face as a woman entrepreneur in the in-home care industry is establishing credibility and making my business visible. There have been times when people assumed I worked for someone else rather than recognizing me as an independent business owner. As a Black woman, I have also experienced situations where I needed to advocate for myself and confidently demonstrate my expertise and leadership. Despite these challenges, I see tremendous opportunities to build a business grounded in compassion, trust, and accountability. My 17 years of public service have given me valuable insight into community resources and the needs of vulnerable populations, which I can use to better support individuals and families. I believe that networking, strengthening my brand, and building meaningful relationships within the community will be essential to my growth. Ultimately, my goal is to establish a trusted care business that not only succeeds but also makes a lasting difference in people's lives.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are putting humanity first and giving to others. I believe that before anything else, we must recognize the humanity in every person, whether they are clients, colleagues, or members of our community. Treating people with compassion, dignity, and respect should always come first. I also believe that when we do good for others, we ultimately give something back to ourselves. For me, giving is not just about helping someone else; it is also about creating meaningful connections, making a positive difference, and growing through the experience. These values guide the way I serve others and the kind of impact I want to make in my community.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Sakara
Senior Care in West Contra Costa County: Helping a Parent Stay at Home
How In-Home Senior Care Can Help Your Aging Parent Stay Independent in Contra Costa County
If you live in Contra Costa County, you probably know how quickly helping an aging parent can become part of your everyday routine.
Maybe you're driving from Richmond to San Pablo to check on Mom or helping Dad get to an appointment. Maybe your parent in El Cerrito has stopped driving and now needs someone to pick up groceries. Or perhaps you're spending your weekends going back and forth to Pinole, Hercules, or El Sobrante to help with things that used to be easy.
At first, it may not seem like a big deal. But those little errands and favors can add up quickly, especially when you're also working, managing your own household, and trying to keep up with everything else.
And here's something families sometimes don't realize: Your parent may not need around-the-clock care. They may not even need someone there every day. They may simply need a little help with the things that have become more difficult.
What Does In-Home Senior Care Actually Look Like?
When people hear "senior care," they sometimes picture someone who needs help with nearly everything. But that's not necessarily what in-home care looks like.
Your mom may still be completely independent with her morning routine but no longer feel comfortable driving. Your dad may be able to make himself breakfast but have a hard time keeping up with laundry and housework. Your parent may need help with bathing and dressing, or they may be doing fine physically but spending far too much time alone.
A caregiver can help with those everyday needs. That might mean preparing meals, picking up groceries, doing light housekeeping, providing transportation, helping with personal care, or simply spending time with your parent.
The goal isn't to take over your parent's life. It's to make the things that have become harder a little easier while allowing your parent to remain as independent as possible.
Your Parent May Not Need Full-Time Care
This is an important distinction for families who are just beginning to think about in-home care. Sometimes, a few hours of help each week can make a meaningful difference.
A caregiver might come by for a couple of hours to help with groceries, prepare a few meals, do laundry, and spend some time with your parent. Another family may need help several days a week, while someone else may eventually need more extensive support.
The right amount of care depends on the person and the situation. It shouldn't be based on a package of hours that an agency has decided you have to purchase.
Find an Agency That Meets Your Family Where You Are
This can be especially important when you're just starting to consider in-home care. You may not be ready to commit to a large number of hours, and you may not even know yet exactly how much help your parent needs.
That shouldn't mean you can't get help.
CareBuilders at Home of Contra Costa has no shift minimums, so families don't have to purchase a set number of hours simply to get started. Care can be arranged around what the family actually needs, whether that's a short visit for a specific task or more regular support.
That can be particularly helpful for a family saying, "We don't need someone here all day. We just need some help."
Rather than telling you how many hours of care you have to buy, the goal is to figure out what would actually make life easier for your parent and for the people helping care for them.
Transportation Can Become a Big Deal
Driving is often one of the first things to change as a parent gets older. And once someone stops driving, everyday errands can become much more complicated.
There are doctor's appointments, grocery shopping, pharmacy trips, and visits with friends. A caregiver can help with transportation and errands, making it easier for an older adult to stay active and connected to the community.
That might mean a trip across Richmond, an appointment in San Pablo, or a grocery run in Pinole. It can also mean one less thing for an adult child to squeeze into an already busy week.
Don't Underestimate the Importance of Companionship
Sometimes the biggest issue isn't that your parent can't do something. It's that they're doing everything alone.
Maybe they used to meet friends regularly in El Cerrito or enjoy getting out around Kensington. Maybe they simply liked having someone around the house. As people get older, those social connections can become harder to maintain, particularly when driving becomes more difficult or friends and family aren't nearby.
A caregiver can provide conversation and companionship, go for a walk, help with a hobby, play a game, or simply sit down for a cup of coffee.
That may sound like a small thing, but for someone who spends most of the day alone, having another person around can make a meaningful difference.
You Don't Have to Wait for a Crisis
Families sometimes wait until something happens before they start looking into senior care. It might be a fall, a missed appointment, a hospital stay, or the realization that a parent can no longer safely drive.
But you don't necessarily need a crisis to ask for help.
Maybe you've noticed your parent is having a harder time keeping up with the house. Maybe you're worried about whether they're eating properly. Maybe they're lonely, or you're simply doing more and more for them and realizing you can't keep doing it all yourself.
Those are all reasonable reasons to start a conversation about additional support.
The Right Amount of Help May Be Less Than You Think
In-home senior care doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision. Your parent can continue living in their own home and making their own choices while getting help with the things that have become more difficult.
For families in West Contra Costa County, CareBuilders at Home of Contra Costa provides non-medical in-home care in Richmond, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, El Sobrante, Kensington, and surrounding communities. Caregivers can help with personal care, meals, grocery shopping, transportation, light housekeeping, companionship, and mobility assistance.
And because there are no shift minimums, families don't have to commit to more care than they actually need. Maybe a couple of hours each week would make a difference. Maybe your parent needs help several days a week. And if their needs change, the amount of support can change, too.
The point is to find an agency that meets your family where you are, rather than one that tells you how many hours you have to buy.
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