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Summer 2024 Newsletter
Celebrating Success: Homework Club Graduates S
By Jessica Ahlering, Youth Enrichment Coordinator
Our Youth Enrichment program provides mental health support from licensed clinicians, individualized academic assessments, daily tutoring, and summer camps, and enrichment activities. These services help youth heal from the traumatic effects of homelessness.
Camila is an example of dedication. As I’ve gotten to work with her in homework club over the past four years, I have watched her excel academically and generously contribute her time and energy to support younger kids in our Summer Camps. Her commitment to learning and service is truly commendable.
One particular moment stands out in my memory. During our college and career summer camp, Camila was deeply inspired by Terry Enns, a volunteer from St Perpetua Catholic Church, who shared her journey of overcoming barriers to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse This encounter ignited a passion within Camila, leading her to pursue her own aspirations in nursing
Imet Valeria four years ago, when she was a middle school student in our homework club. From the beginning, it was evident that she possessed a genuine enthusiasm for learning. However, Valeria faced challenges in managing her assignments and meeting deadlines, and her grades began to suffer. Recognizing her incredible potential, despite her struggles, Valeria and her family decided to transfer her to a new school. Valeria found an environment tailored to her needs, focusing on small group instruction and the individualized attention she required. Along with her academic and community encouragement from Hope Solutions, this change inspired Valeria to take a new approach to her academic career
Throughout her senior year, Camila balanced her academic responsibilities with a part-time job at John Muir Hospital, gaining invaluable experience in healthcare. Now, as she prepares to attend Los Medanos College for her nursing degree, Camila's determination and enthusiasm shine brighter than ever. I have no doubt that she will continue to excel and make a positive impact in her pursuit of higher education Camila's story exemplifies her resilience, compassion, and commitment to her goals I am proud to support her as she embarks on this next chapter of her academic and professional path
With the backing of her family and Hope Solutions’ homework club Valeria thrived in school. She approached each challenge with resoluteness and resilience, ultimately graduating high school on schedule Valeria's journey is a testament to the power of personalized support and unwavering determination Additionally, Valeria's success is a powerful example to the younger kids in our program, illustrating that when you ask for help, anything is possible
Camila at her graduation
Valeria at her graduation
Kicking off Our Graduates’ Summer with Our Annual BBQs
Each year, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of our graduatesat Los Medanos, Garden Park, and Lakeside Apartments with end-of-the-school-year BBQs The community gatherings offer a fun and relaxed environment where students, families,
and volunteers come together to enjoy food, games, and arts and crafts as a kick-off to the summer break. We congratulate our students and graduates on a fantastic 2023-2024 school year!
New Housing Launches in Contra Costa County
PInterested in volunteering at impactful events like these? hopesolutions org/volunteer
ermanent housing is the key to keeping families together and allowing seniors to live with dignity it is the solution to homelessness. Unfortunately, our community is over 34,000 affordable units short, and over 10,000 people seek support from our homeless service system every year.
We have seen time and again how lives are transformed when people have a permanent place to call home and the services they need to live with dignity This combination leads to improved physical and mental health, economic security, stronger family ties, and safer communities for all
As part of our five-year strategic plan Hope Solutions committed to adding housing stock in our community. We are uniquely positioned to create innovative housing solutions through our deep partnerships with local faith communities By leveraging unused land and new building techniques, we are making housing more quickly and cost-effectively than traditional affordable housing developments Hope Solutions is building “cottage communities” ranging in size from six to twenty-five homes and consisting of studio, one or two-bedroom models Each cottage community has a shared common space, community garden, and our professional onsite services
The first project to break ground is Hope Village - Walnut Creek, a partnership with Grace Presbyterian Church The development is located in an unused parking area and includes six 272 square-foot studio cottages Hope Village - Walnut Creek will open this Fall, and two other cottage communities one in Pittsburg for homeless youth and another in Antioch for families are close behind!
In addition, we are proud to announce that we have been selected to be the sole operator and service provider for El Portal Place, a new permanent supportive housing community in San Pablo that will house 54 people In a unique public-private partnership, Overaa Construction partnered with Contra Costa County to convert an office building into studio apartments
The adaptive reuse project reimagined the two-level, 27,000 square-foot building as a community of small residences, each approximately 300 square-foot, with ADA-adaptable bathrooms and kitchenettes. The project includes recreation areas, a dog park, EV parking, and provisions for a future residents’ garden and rooftop solar array. Hope Solutions will provide all onsite services to the residents, including clinical support, case management, and property management We are honored to have been selected by the county to launch this vital addition to housing in our community
Volunteers at Los Medanos
Arts and crafts at Garden Park and Lakeside Apartments
El Portal Place in San Pablo
Hope Village Antioch Rendering
Staff Spotlight: Felix Jackl, Rapid Re-Housing Manager
Starting out working for county youth shelters 14 years ago, Felix Jackl quickly found his passion in providing services to the Bay Area homeless population. This path ultimately led him to work with us at Hope Solutions. “I was drawn to Hope Solutions because I had seen
According to Felix, “there is a lot of hope when working with youth ” In interacting with people from all walks of life, Felix has found that, even in the worst situations, young people always have the positive interactions and kind energy,” says Felix.
Throughout his 3-year tenure with Hope Solutions, Felix has held several positions, including Case Manager and Transitional Age Youth (ages 18-24) Program Manager Along with supporting community members, Felix also enjoys supporting his team, enabling them to better aid their clients and the youth they serve
the potential to transform their lives Felix’s own lived experience with homelessness has proven valuable as it has allowed him to draw on his formative years in the foster system and connect with youth at Hope Solutions
Success stories are what drives Felix to do the work he does. He finds pride in Hope Solutions’ mission by helping the clients, whom others have written off, get back on their feet While working for Hope Solutions, Felix has found that the organization deeply cares about him as an individual while also caring about his family and his clients He says he has never been a part of an organization that focuses on all three aspects
“The staff at Hope Solutions care about our clients and our work. If you are considering working for our nonprofit, come join the team, especially if you know you love the work we do, love people, and want to make a difference. Hope Solutions is making a difference right now. The data speaks for itself and so do our client stories.”
Family has always been a big part of Felix’s life. He has been inspired by his father, who was homeless for a time and was able to turn his life around. Felix’s father worked as a case manager for people experiencing homelessness and, over the course of his career, created a memorial service for unhoused people in Contra Costa Country who have passed away. Felix’s father passed away three years ago due to Parkinson’s disease, but his legacy lives on in this memorial, which began twenty years ago.
Outside work, Felix is a dad of four amazing sons and adores his fiancée, Evelynn. They have a lively household and often go on adventures together including sporting events or camping
Felix with his family
- Felix Jackl
