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.
2025 Olen Jones I Am Hope Winner – Marisela Gerez
The Olen Jones I Am Hope Award honors those rare individuals who embody the very heart of National CORE and Hope through Housing. It recognizes employees whose passion, dedication and compassion transform lives every day – those who carry our mission not just in their...
More Stories of Hope
Mountain View Scholarship Winner Finds His Voice
When Sebastian’s family fled Venezuela’s economic collapse five years ago, they left behind not just jobs and belongings, but also a sense of stability. His mother had been a journalism professor and his father a university law professor and judge. But as the...
Taneshia Turns Adversity into Purpose
In 2021, Taneshia found herself at her lowest point: She was jobless and cycling in and out of homeless shelters with her three children when a spine injury left her temporarily paralyzed and unable to speak. Where others may have broken, Taneshia says the experience...
Anayeli’s Path: From Hardship to Higher Education
For Anayeli Martinez, the cramped two-bedroom apartment she shared with six other people wasn’t just a place she called home but a reminder of what she wanted to change. Until two years ago, she and her mother shared a small bedroom, making the most of limited...
Verve Church Brings Joy and New Shoes to 81 Kids
For children from Rancho Verde, a simple shopping trip became a joyful, confidence-boosting experience – all thanks to the generosity of Verve Church.
Celebrating the Heart of Our Communities
We’re celebrating moms – who lead most of the homes in affordable housing communities – with flowers, sweet treats and gifts of gratitude.
A Family Thrives at Diamond Hill
When Martina set out to find a new home for her family of three in 2023, she wasn’t just searching for a roof over their heads – she was searching for community.
Launching the First-Ever Eric Dickerson Learning Center
Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson joined leaders from the Hope through Housing Foundation and National CORE on April 5 to unveil the first-ever Eric Dickerson Learning Center, a transformative space designed to inspire young minds to break barriers and achieve...
Keri’s Corner: A Tribute to Resilience
A magnificent oak tree, with rich brown branches and brilliant pink and orange flowers, transforms the setting for Keri’s Corner, a key element of the Eric Dickerson Learning Center at National CORE’s Residences of Diamond Hill. Lush green leaves and a whimsical blue...
Gloria’s Story: The Pathway to Homeownership
Meet Gloria, a resident of Citrus Grove who turned a small step into a lasting habit through Hope through Housing’s Money Match program. Designed to help residents build financial stability, the program matches savings up to $1,200 over six months while providing...
95% Retention: Keeping Residents Housed
At the age of 65, Teretha lost her home of 39 years. She found herself grappling with homelessness and rapidly declining physical and mental health conditions. But a year later, she received a call about availability at National CORE’s affordable housing community,...
Resident Scores Big at Panna Tournament
After an intense series of matches, National CORE resident Anthony Mendoza has emerged as the winner of the Jack Downer Street Panna one-on-one soccer tournament, sponsored by the Empire Strykers. Anthony, 14, spends his days on the Corona del Rey soccer field,...
Conversations Spark Career Interest
Hope through Housing’s after-school program empowers youth in underserved communities, equipping them with tools to break the cycle of poverty and create brighter futures. During monthly career conversations, children are introduced to an array of career paths –...
Celebrating Literacy with Read Across America
Children and volunteers sported iconic red and white stripped hats at Sunset Heights to kick off Read Across America – the largest celebration of literacy in the country. In honor of Read Across America Day and Dr. Suess’ birthday, Hope through Housing hosted a...
CORE Academy Graduates 1st 2025 Cohort
After an intense six-day crash course on the transformative and growing affordable housing industry, CORE Academy congratulated its 12 newest property management graduates at a Feb. 27 ceremony at the Ontario Airport Hotel. Led by National CORE Director of Learning...
Celebrating Impactful Partners in San Diego
Hope through Housing held our second annual San Diego Circle of Hope celebration this week, gathering with partners, donors and supporters at Valley Senior Village in Escondido.
Volunteers Drive Mission of Hope
Volunteers are the driving force behind Hope through Housing, fueling our mission forward through their commitment to literacy programs, community center renovations and event staffing to strengthen our communities. Their support amplifies our impact and creates...
Hope though Housing celebrates New Headquarters and Honors Supporters
Community leaders, local dignitaries and executives from Hope through Housing and National CORE gathered in Rancho Cucamonga to officially launch Hope through Housing’s new headquarters with an exciting ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event marked not just the opening of...
Gabrielle Walsh Strengthens Community Bonds During Visit
Gabrielle Walsh, star of NBC’s hit show Found and a returning guest of National CORE’s FYI Podcast, recently spent the day visiting two National CORE communities: Day Creek Senior Villas and Sunset Heights. At Day Creek, Gabrielle toured the community, spoke to...
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...
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, Vicente, helped his disabled mother and her survive on just $800 a month in Social Security, covering food, bills and whatever else they needed. “Vicente was my best friend and the most important person in my life,” said...
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...