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Summer 2025 Newsletter
Hope Village Walnut Creek: A New Model for Senior Housing and Community in Contr
Senior homelessness is a growing crisis across California, with many older adults facing the daunting prospect of aging without a safe or stable place to call home Per Contra Costa County’s most recent Homelessness Point-in-Time Count, 29% of those experiencing homelessness in our County are 55 years or older; 12% of that group experienced homelessness for the first time at age 50 or later As rental prices in the Bay Area soar, Social Security Benefits and Supplemental Security Income cannot keep up. Amidst a shortage of affordable housing opportunities for seniors, Hope Solutions has stepped up to work to bridge this gap. Our innovative project, Hope Village Walnut Creek, has opened as a pioneering model, transforming faith-based land into a beacon of hope for some of Contra Costa County’s most vulnerable residents.
Located on the grounds of Grace Presbyterian Church, Hope Village is the first affordable, supportive cottage community in the county for seniors experiencing homelessness This innovative project was made possible through a dynamic partnership between Hope Solutions, HomeAid Northern California, Firm Foundation Community Housing, and Pulte Group, who worked together to transform an unused portion of the parking lot into a vibrant, welcoming environment Hope Village was completed quickly and smoothly by building units off-site while site work was simultaneously completed
Each one of the six units is thoughtfully designed with a kitchenette, bathroom, bed, and dining area, providing residents with the dignity and comfort of a true home A seventh building serves as a community hub, offering on-site social services, counseling, and a fully equipped lau fosters connection and community among residents What truly sets Hope Village ap have access to case management, health care referrals, community-building activitie participants to transform their lives
Hope Village’s rapid development was aided by recent state legislation that stream faith-owned land, as well as generous in-kind donations and public grants Six seniors accompanied by beloved pets moved into their new homes in February
Building upon the success in Walnut C opening of our second cottage community: Village of Hope Pittsburg. Our new location, with 15 cottages, will serve homeless youth and young adults (ages 1825), providing safe, comfortable, and cost-effective housing with onsite comprehensive support services. Construction on the Village of Hope is planned to commence in the fall of 2025.
Hope Village Walnut Creek
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Village of Hope - Pittsburg
A Place to Call Home: Helping Clients Find Stability in their Golden Years
Early this year, Christina S , Senior Case Manager with the Hope Solutions Adult Protective Services (APS) team, received a referral that immediately client was Rosalie*, a 97-year-old thday
Rosalie, a petite and impeccably dressed woman with a gentle New York accent, has lived a remarkable life Her career in immigration law, world travels, and even a meeting with the Pope speak to a lifetime of achievement and adventure For over 40 years, she has resided in the same Pleasant Hill apartment, supported by her son. However, her son, now in his 70s, was no longer able to provide financial assistance, and their savings had been depleted. With only a fixed income to rely on, Rosalie, nearly 100 years old, faced the imminent threat of homelessness.
, Christina leveraged her experience in supporting low-income seniors and reached out to an affordable senior housing community After a property tour, Rosalie was quickly approved for a unit However, she was ineligible for financial support from Christina’s program Facing deposit, first month’s rent, and moving costs, she paused and quietly said, “Well, that’s too bad I don’t have the money for that ”
Determined to find a solution, Christina collaborated with her program manager and connected with colleagues at Hope Solutions Together, the team determined she was eligible for another Hope Solutions program which could cover these costs The news was delivered during a meeting at the Hope Solutions office, where Rosalie, overwhelmed with relief, broke down in tears
By March, Rosalie had settled into her new home Today, you can find her in her lovely apartment enjoying community coffee hour, playing bingo, and collecting her Trader Joe’s groceries on Friday afternoons Her story is a testament to the creativity and persistence of Hope Solutions staff and our vital role in preventing homelessness among vulnerable seniors
In 2024, the Hope Solutions APS team successfully housed 142 individuals, each one as special as Rosalie
We have the opportunity to change lives—and to spread kindness and hope in a world that desperately needs it. As our vision states: “We envision a world in which everyone has a place to call home and the support of a strong community, so that they can live with dignity and reach their full potential.”
The Crisis of Senior Homelessness
increase of adults over 65 accessing homelessness services in CA (2017-2022)
The rapidly escalating crisis of senior homelessness across our county, state, and nation underlines the urgent need for action. Older adults many of whom have contributed to their communities for decades are increasingly unable to keep up with soaring housing costs due to fixed incomes. Far too many are at risk of losing their homes in their golden years.
40%
California’s homeless population is aging rapidly, with adults 50+ making up nearly 40% of those needing shelter
72% of older adults experiencing homelessness are living with a disabling condition
Homelessness among our senior population is a dire issue, but you can help by supporting affordable housing initiatives and donating to organizations providing care for elders experiencing homelessness
Rosalie
Reading Rocks! Girl Scout Project Inspires Young Readers and Builds Community
Ashlyn Browning, a dedicated Girl Scout from Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church (LOPC), has made a remarkable impact at Lakeside Apartments through her volunteer work and leadership Ashlyn launched her Girl Scout Gold Award project the highest honor a
Senior or Ambassador Girl Scout can achieve in September to spectacular results. Her project focuses on revitalizing the Lakeside library and fostering a love of reading among local kids.
Over the course of three months, Ashlyn helped tidy the library space by adding some decor and reorganizing books by author and reading level Building on this foundation, she created the "Reading Rocks" program, which runs every Thursday in three five-week sessions throughout the school year Each session includes an icebreaker activity to build community, as well as a healthy snack, reading and discussion, and a craft activity.
Her commitment to the community extends beyond her Gold Award project; Ashlyn has been a beloved presence at Lakeside Apartments for the past four years, participating in events like LOPCsupported KidFest, and consistently inspiring the children. You can clearly see the special bond she has created with the kids each week as they eagerly greet her with hugs and excitement.
As Ashlyn prepares for her senior year and college ahead, her leadership and passion for literacy continue to shine brightly, embodying the spirit of the Girl Scout Gold Award by making a lasting, positive difference in her community Her work helps Hope Solutions continue our work in supporting youth development and creating community for residents in our permanent supportive housing programs
How you can Make a Differen
There are many ways you can get involved:
MAKE A MONETARY DONATION
Rest easy knowing that 91¢ of every dollar donated goes straight to supporting our clients and programs.
DONATE TO OUR BACKPACK DRIVE
Gift a child the tools necessary for a successful school year by donating a packed backpack or making a financial donation to benefit the Backpack Drive
G d S tli ht M i
of Marie, a student in m at Los Medanos
Marie has been a dedicated volunteer with Hope Solutions Youth Programs for the past three years, actively contributing to community building and youth development During summer camps, Marie served as a Camp Counselor, designing and hosting a variety of engaging activities for campers Her contributions have been instrumental to the success of the Youth Programs.
DONATE YOUR TIME BY VOLUNTEERING
Volunteers have been at the heart of Hope Solutions since day one There are many ways to volunteer your time to help those in need.
In addition to her volunteer work, Marie completed a leadership internship in June 2024 through Hope Solutions’ Youth Impact and Empowerment Leadership Development (YIELD) program This initiative is designed to equip high school students in East Contra Costa County with leadership skills and raise awareness of juvenile justice risk and protective factors The program aims to empower teens to take committed action as community leaders and prevent involvement in the juvenile justice system.
Looking ahead, Marie will attend the University of California, Berkeley in the fall of 2025, where she is poised to continue her leadership journey and community impact We wish Marie the best on her exciting journey!
“Reading Rocks” program
Lakeside Library
Marie
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Legacy Giving
Legacy gifts are a powerful testament to your belief in our mission They enable us to plan confidently for the future and ensure that we can continue our critical work Legacy gifts can:
Create Lasting Change: Your legacy gift will provide enduring support for our transformative services. Offer Flexible Options: Choose from various non-cash giving options that best suit your financial situation and philanthropic goals.
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Enjoy potential
advantages while making a meaningful
Contact Cindy Campos at ccampos@hopesolutions.org to join our Legacy Circle today and be a part of a visionary group of supporters dedicated to creating hope.
