Stories of Hope
Impacting Real People. Everyday.
Hope through Housing’s work is all about people and we know we’ve been successful when we witness life changing in individual lives. Following are just a few of our most recent stories of resident success and program highlights.

Women of Hope Kick Off 2025 with Impact and Community Connection
Women of Hope kicked off the year with focus and enthusiasm, gathering for our first quarterly meeting of 2025. The group began laying the groundwork with goals and plans for the year ahead – and preparing for the much-anticipated Beauty, Bubbles & Bites event, a...
More Stories of Hope
Supporting San Diego’s 2025 Homeless Count
Hope through Housing played a pivotal role this January in the 2025 San Diego annual Point-in-Time Count, joining forces with the Regional Task Force for the Homeless to canvas Downtown San Diego. The #WeAllCount initiative brings together volunteers and service...
Karishma’s Journey of Strength and Resilience
For years, Karishma’s older brother, Vincente, helped his disabled mother and his younger sister survive on just $800 a month in Social Security, covering food, bills and whatever else they needed. “Vincente was my best friend and the most important person in my...
Mike’s Story: Finding Stability at Veterans Park
Meet Mike, a U.S. Army veteran who spent 10 years on the streets before finding a home at National CORE’s Veterans Park community in Pomona. A resident now for two years, Mike says the support he receives from Hope through Housing and the property management team...
Hope through Housing Leaders Named to IEHP Champion for Vibrant Health Network
Hope through Housing will receive $130,000 from the IEHP Foundation to strengthen organizational leadership, part of a two-year initiative to support groups that improve physical and mental health by addressing non-medical factors, such as socioeconomic status. Hope...
Spark of Love Brings Joy to Over 200 Children This Holiday Season
Sparkling snow, Santa Claus and an abundance of toys transformed National CORE’s Arrowhead Grove in San Bernardino into a winter wonderland for the annual Spark of Love toy drive. “I’ve been coming for a long time and my family loves it,” said Helen, a Valencia...
Hope through Housing, National CORE and Community Nonprofits Hold 17th Colonies Holiday Miracles Celebration
Upland, Calif. – Andrew, a 10-year-old from an Ontario affordable housing community, bought a slew of toys, sampled holiday treats, enjoyed carolers and visited with Santa at the 17th annual Colonies Holiday Miracles on Dec. 7. Andrew was among 202 children selected...
San Diego Volunteer of the Year: Kelly Golden
Volunteers are instrumental in our mission to serve and support the residents of National CORE affordable housing communities. They extend our reach, show residents their lives and needs are important, and help create a sense of community and belonging. For that...
San Diego Community Partner: Life Science Cares
We are proud to recognize Life Science Cares as our Community Partner of the Year, celebrating the organization’s commitment to providing an array of emergency and support services to help our residents thrive. Life Science Cares was founded in 2016 by a consortium of...
San Diego Development Partner: San Diego Community Housing Corporation
We are thrilled to announce the San Diego Community Housing Corporation (SDCHC) as our San Diego Development Partner of the Year. This award recognizes the singular contributions of this extraordinary organization in developing stellar affordable housing communities...
San Ysidro Senior Village Restores Resident’s Vigor, Spirit
In 2020, Veronica could barely walk the few yards between her couch and kitchen. At 270 pounds and dealing with severe joint pain from gout, her legs ached with every step.
Hope through Housing Spreads Joy with Holiday Drive
Hope through Housing is kicking off its annual Holiday Drive! Every year, we work to ensure that our teens and seniors facing financial struggles get to experience the warmth and joy of the holiday season. By collecting gift cards, home essentials, craft supplies and...
An Evening of Hope Gala Raises $925,000 for Families in Crisis
National CORE and Hope through Housing Celebrate a Night of Glamour, Generosity and Impact Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. – Nearly 800 guests gathered for an evening of glamour and purpose as National CORE and the Hope through Housing Foundation raised $925,000 at their...
28 Residents Build Savings with Money Match Program
In October, 28 graduates of the program each doubled $600 in savings gathered over six months, turning $16,800 into an incredible $33,600.
National CORE’s John Taylor Receives the Annual Olen Jones I Am Hope Award
For more than 30 years, National CORE and Hope through Housing have been transforming lives by providing homes and a foundation for community and individual growth. This important work would not be possible without the dedication of our exceptional team. It is a...
Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino: Government Partner of the Year
We are thrilled to announce the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) as our Government Partner of the Year. This honor recognizes HASBC’s steadfast commitment to addressing the region’s critical crisis in housing and homelessness, providing new...
Bank of America: Volunteer Group of the Year
We are excited to announce Bank of America as our Volunteer Group of the Year. This award category, introduced in 2023, celebrates those individuals and organizations whose extraordinary dedication and passion for service bring our mission to life and strengthen the...
JPMorgan Chase: Financial Partner of the Year
It is with great honor that we recognize JPMorgan Chase as our Financial Partner of the Year, acknowledging the firm’s deeply rooted commitment to the highly challenging work of affordable housing finance. Perhaps the most daunting aspect of building affordable...
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles: Our Community Partner of the Year
We are proud to recognize the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles as our Community Partner of the Year, celebrating the faith-based organization’s unwavering commitment to providing affordable housing across a broad swath of California. Led by Bishop John Harvey Taylor,...
Texas Seniors Receive Food Support
For 25 years, Lexington Square residents relied on weekly donations from a local food bank to put food on the table and maintain a healthy diet. But when the donations suddenly stopped in early 2024, the 129 seniors at Houston-area National CORE communities, including...
Mission Village Resident Finds Comfort with “Hope” by Her Side
As expenses for treatment of her stage 4 lung cancer mounted, Mission Village resident Carmen Vasquez, 78, faced an impossible challenge; she lacked the money to pay for her food for the month, much less her critically needed medications. Carmen was spending close to...
Hope Steps up to Help Family Keep the Lights On
Just before moving into Metro View with his wife and two daughters, Meiser lost his job. Drawing on his savings, he scraped together enough for his first month’s rent and deposit, but it meant he was unable to keep up with an alarmingly high electricity bill. “I would...
Hope through Housing Helps Revive Student’s Dreams
When Melrose Villas resident Alondra, 18, received a used 2005 Honda Civic from her parents for her senior year of high school, it was her ticket to freedom. She planned to commute in fall from San Marcos to her dream school: University of California, San Diego. But...
Permanent Supportive Housing Program Expands to Meet Growing Needs
The program has grown tremendously since its inception in 2020 – with a strong presence in San Diego, Riverside and Los Angeles counties
Resident Becomes Hope Employee
Sandra spends her days helping residents locate resources, connecting those in need with emergency assistance and coordinating ways to meet their unique needs.
Senior Fit Coach Inspires Healthy Bodies and Youthful Minds
Coach Evan Russo’s greatest joy is “giving senior citizens their lives back” by teaching them to stretch, lift and train to boost their health
After-school Expansion Brings Opportunities to Texas Communities
Texas children are boosting their academics with homework assistance, building new friendships and developing healthier lifestyles – all thanks to $195,000 in donations
Emergency Aid Helps Vista de La Sierra Resident Keep Her Home
When fraudulent charges nearly drained Nancy’s bank account, what little money she had left had to go for food and living expenses.
Church Member Sponsors Back-to-School Shopping Spree
Laughter and chatter bubbled through the air at Champs Sports on July 13 as 44 children from National CORE’s Rancho Verde affordable housing community excitedly picked out shoes, shirts and backpacks loaded with school supplies. Nine-year-old Marlaysia discovered a...
Jordan June Luzzi, 2024 Scholarship Recipient
Jordan Luzzi holds himself to a high standard – especially as a way to acknowledge how much his family and teachers have given to ensure he succeeds.
Mariana Gonzalez, 2024 Scholarship Recipient
When Mariana Gonzalez was 9, her family moved from Colombia to the United States, seeking better opportunities.
Aime Bakundukize, 2024 Scholarship Recipient
When Aime Bakundukize was 8, his family fled war-torn Mozambique for asylum in the U.S.
Trinity Shaker, 2024 Scholarship Recipient
Corona Del Ray resident Trinity Shaker, 19, said she’s destined to become a pediatrician.
Tasha Sadler, 2024 Scholarship Recipient
Tasha Sadler always dreamed of becoming a pediatric nurse, but she was always too busy and the goal seemed unachievable.
Family of Four Finds a Community at Veterans Park
Charles, a Navy veteran who lives at Veterans Park in Pomona, is pursuing higher education with the help of a Building Bright Futures scholarship he received in June 2023.
Journeys of Hope: Olufemi and Sebastian’s Transformative Paths with National CORE and Hope through Housing
Meet Olufemi and Sebastian, two remarkable young adults whose lives have been profoundly impacted by the compassionate mission of National CORE and Hope through Housing
Women of Hope Member Gives Back to Community
Zeinab Fakih was unsure of what to expect when she first volunteered for a Women of Hope Read to Kids event, but it did not involve buying a television.