Note from a Friend
2025marksthebeginningofmy13thyearastheCEOofProjectHopeAlliance With eachnewyearcomesnewopportunitiestolearn,refine,reflect,andgrow.Despite theincreaseintheidentifiednumberofOrangeCounty’sstudentsexperiencing homelessness(nowover29,000),2025bringsmuchhopethroughnew partnerships,opportunity,andgrowth.Aswe’vewitnessedintheaftermathofthe LosAngelesfires,communitiesknowhowtoriseupandcareforoneanother.WeatProject gthistruthinpowerfulways.
Ihopeyouenjoyreadingourrecentnewsletterandreflectingonthedifferenceyouhavemadeoverthepastfew months:youhelpedourteamgrow,youmadetheholidayseasonmagicalforourkids,andweareenteringthis newyearexpectantforallthatispossibleforourchildren&youthexperiencinghomelessnessbecauseofyou. Thankyou.
JenniferFriend ChiefExecutiveOfficer
Thank you for providing hope and holiday cheer!
Thankyoutoourgenerousandlovingcommunityofsupportersformakingtheholidaysbright,joyful,andfunfor hundredsofkidsandtheirfamilies!Ourdignity-basedapproachandyoursupportmadeitpossibleforparentsand theirchildrentomakespecialholidaymemoriesoftheirown,opengiftstheycouldoth i t ff d d h familymealstogether.
Team Kid is growing!
Sincethebeginningofthisschoolyear,ourteamhasgrown bysix!Eachteammembercontributestoourmissionby providingdirectsupporttoyouth,evaluatingourprograms, andstrengtheningourinternaloperations.Ourabilityto deepenourservicesforourkidsispossiblebecauseofour generouscommunityofsupporters.Thankyou!
“I
enjoy working for PHA because it aligns with my values and allows me to make an impact on people’s lives.”-Jesssica
“PHA’S mission and approach gives me the opportunity to work alongside our youth and provide assistance and support towards a brighter future . ” -Michael
Supporter Highlight
WhatdoProjectHopeAlliance,TheKnightsofKindness,andThe NewportAnchorsBaseballteamhaveincommon?AlexWilliamson. AlexhasbeenadedicatedProjectHopeAlliancesupporterforfive years.Everyyear,Alex,alongwithherfamilyandfriends,coordinate donationdrivestoensurehundredsofourkidshavesuppliestobe successfulinschool,holidaygiftsandgiftcards,andfood.Thankyou, Alex,fordemonstratingcompassion,leadership,andtheimportance ofcommunityservice.
“Asamomofthreewhoseprofessionalworkfocusesonsupporting parents,childrenandtheirfamiliesareacentralpartofmy community.Engagingtheminthisworkhasbeenanopportunitynot onlytoeducatethemontheobstaclesfacingourneighborsand classmates,buttoletthemexperiencephilanthropyinawaythatis rewardingandfun.WhenwecometogethertofillChristmas stockingsorbackpacks,orwhenwecollectfood,theycanrelate directlytotherecipientsbecausetheyarekids,too.Myhopeisthat bydoingthiswiththeirfriendsandteammatestheyarelearningthe powerofcommunityandbuildingalifelongdesiretogiveback.”
Stephanie Solano Case Manager
Jessica Sanchez Case Manager
Alexandra Gomez Case Manager
Michael Yanez Case Manager
Stephanie Albuquerque Data and Impact Coordinator
Hunter Moreno Administrative Coordinator
*Names listed from left to right from photo
Youth Highlight
JohnnyandhisfamilyfirstconnectedwithProject HopeAlliancewhentheywerelivingatanearby motel.Afewweekslater,theywereevictedfrom themotelandneededsupporttoensureJohnny andhissiblingswouldremainsafeandcontinueto attendschool.Ourcasemanagersworked tirelesslytoconnectJohnny’sfamilytohousing assistanceprogramsincludingCostaMesaCity Outreach.CostaMesaCityOutreachprovided motelvouchers,food,andotheressentialswhile thefamilyandourcasemanagerssearchedfor longer-termsolutions.
Threemonthslater,anothertrustedcommunitypartner,FamiliesForward,calledwithwonderful news–therewasanapartmentavailable!Tocelebratethefamily’smilestone,ProjectHopeAlliance tookthefamilytoIKEAtopurchasetheirownhouseholdnecessitieslikepots,pans,bathtowels,anda fewdecorationstomaketheirnewhouseahome.
Despitehisfamily’shardships,Johnnyhasstayedcommittedtoschoolandhisfuture.Hehasa3.0 average,isfondofmath,andrecentlydiscoveredhisloveofmusic.Johnnyfeelsmostcomfortablein bandclass.Hehasmademanyfriends,lovesreadingmusic,andcurrentlyenjoysplayingthetrombone. Hisdreamistoearnascholarshipandplayforauniversity’sband.Heiscurrentlyworkingonachieving hisgoalofpursuingcollegewithhisProjectHopeAlliancecasemanager,Stephanie.
ProjectHopeAlliancecasemanager,Stephanie,alsosupportsJohnny’smomtoaccesssupport programslikeCalFreshandhealthinsurance.Stephanieprovidesemotionalsupportwhenlifefeels stressfulandoverwhelmingformom,too.Momworkshard,lovesherchildren,andwantsherchildren tofocusontheireducationsotheycanhaveabrighterfuture.
Recently,MomparticipatedinourHopefortheHolidaysdriveandwasverygratefultoselectgiftsfor herkids.Momwasamazedbythevarietyofbeautifulgiftstochoosefrom,especiallythescooters,bikes, skateboards,andothergiftsthatwouldhelpherkidsplayoutside.Shealsoreceivedgiftcardsto Denny’ssoherfamilycouldshareaholidaymealtogether.Mom,dad,andthechildrenhavebeenso gratefulforProjectHopeAlliance’ssupport,andtheycontinuetoworkhardtobuildabrighterfuture together.
Save the Date!
When:Saturday,May17th
Where:NewportDunes
Time:5:00pm-8:00pm
Wehopetoseeyouthereforaneveningoffriendship,celebration, andbringinghopetokidsexperiencinghomelessness.
