Hope in Action

Together, We are Transforming Lives and Offering Hope for the Future.

For more than 20 years, Hope through Housing Foundation has been working alongside National CORE to offer a helping hand to families who struggle to move out of poverty. The families we touch have incredible stories that demonstrate the resiliency of the human spirit and how a simple act of kindness can put them on a path they had never thought possible. Take a moment to read how together, we are changing the lives of our families.

Little Georgie had problems focusing, often acted out, and was disruptive. His behavior created challenges for the after-school staff at his elementary school and eventually, he was asked not to return. His working mother needed him to have a safe place to go after school since she was not home during those critical hours.

His mother started taking him to Hope through Housing’s after-school program at the National CORE community where they lived. The after-school teacher was aware of Georgie’s challenges and found a way to reach him. Georgie started completing his homework and engaging with the other children. He would help the younger children with their math homework, a subject he excelled in at school.

After a couple of months, the positive changes in Georgie are noticeable. He is thriving both at school and home. Now an honor roll student, Georgie’s elementary school principal says she is so pleased with Georgie’s progress, especially after such a rough beginning. She believes that he is succeeding because of the tender care and academic support he receives at Hope through Housing’s after-school program.

Building Bright Futures – A Year in Review

In 2019, Hope through Housing provided more than 250 children and teens with a safe space where they could thrive during the critical after school hours. In San Diego, the Strides for Excellence program was launched. This new running program teaches youth leadership skills and healthy habits. To expand opportunities for teens, Hope through Housing in partnership with HealthCorps, Youth Entrepreneurs, and the Master of Social Work programs at CSU San Bernardino and Cal Baptist piloted Teen Clubs at seven National CORE communities and hopes to open more in 2020.  The focus of these clubs has been on improving mental resiliency, health, and college/career knowledge.

To further help youth succeed in school and beyond, Hope through Housing has created the Building Bright Futures Scholarship Fund for graduating seniors and adult learners. Scholarships will assist with direct educational costs not covered by other forms of financial aid, such as computers, textbooks, and travel. The first award recipients will be announced in the Spring of 2020. To learn more about Hope through Housing’s Building Bright Futures initiative, please visit our website at https://hthf.org/what-we-do/building-bright-futures/.

Moving Families Out of Poverty

Hope through Housing’s Pathways to Economic Empowerment initiative is designed to help improve the financial and social well-being of families through education, workforce development, and one-on-one financial coaching. A new money match program was launched in August to encourage residents to open bank accounts and build their savings. To date, all participating residents have increased their savings, many of whom did not have savings when they started the program.

The Pathways Money Match Savings Program was made possible by a $25,000 Adelante: Moving California Families Forward with Financial Capability (MEDA) grant through JPMorgan Chase & Co. The grant provided $10,000 in seed money. Other contributors to the money match program include Pacific Western Bank and the Federal Home Loan San Francisco’s AHEAD program.

“It is the goal of Hope through Housing to help our families learn and develop monthly savings habits that improve their financial situation,” said Heidi Reyes, Hope through Housing’s Economic Mobility Specialist. All participating residents are part of a 12-month program that includes monthly check-ins and financial literacy workshops. Residents who save each month during the 12-month program will have their savings matched at a rate of 50 cents to every dollar, with a maximum match of $1,200.

Hope through Housing’s Pathways initiative has helped residents find better jobs, purchase their first home, and achieve financial self-sufficiency. Our success would not be possible without the support of great partners, including the Bank of America, Bank of the West, BBVA Compass, Citizens Business Bank, Opus Bank, Pacific Premier Bank, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Union Bank, and US Bank.

Engaging Volunteers and Interns to Better Serve our Families and Seniors

In 2019, Hope through Housing had more than 300 community and corporate partners collectively volunteer more than 1,350 hours. Volunteers supported ongoing efforts, such as our annual back to school events, bingo with our seniors, and holiday celebrations; as well as made it possible for Hope through Housing to launch new activities, such as reading to our children, the Ontario Fury ball tosses, and career conversations.

Hope through Housing expanded its Masters’ of Social Work (MSW) internship program to include six interns from Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Baptist. During the school year, each intern will volunteer more than 400 hours, supporting Hope through Housing’s initiatives for teens and seniors.

For the second year in a row, Hope through Housing has teamed up with Partners for Better Health to secure a Randall Lewis Health Fellow for 250 volunteer hours to help strengthen senior resident services outcomes.

They are so many opportunities for community and corporate leaders to become engaged in the mission of Hope through Housing. If you would like to make a difference in your community by donating your time, please visit www.hthf.org/volunteer. Together, we transform lives and communities.

Remember Children like Sebastian this Giving Season!

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Hope through Housing is able to provide programs and services that help children achieve academic success and so much more! Because of you, Sebastian is studying chemical engineering at the University of Notre Dame on a full scholarship. Invest in the future of children and donate today to our Building Bright Futures Fund. Together, we are building a pathway out of poverty for children in our communities.