News and Events

Staff Spotlight: Melisa Rillera

By Anabel Pimentel | May 30, 2025

For the past seven years, Melisa Rillera has been a powerful champion for inclusion and opportunity at Hope Services. Starting her journey as a Community Support Facilitator and later promoted to Job Developer, Melisa has dedicated her career to building bridges between local businesses and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities seeking meaningful employment. A…

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It’s Never Too Late to Embrace a New Hobby: Senior Center’s CLUBS

By Anabel Pimentel | May 28, 2025

To inspire participants to explore new interests and strengthen their skills, the Senior Center staff launched a project called CLUBS. For eight weeks, once a week, participants could choose a new activity or hobby to try—from crafts, embroidery, and painting to sewing and cooking. You might remember Twilla and Larry’s story, a married couple who…

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Lori: Healing Grief with Community, Independence, and Laughter

By Anabel Pimentel | May 28, 2025

Lori lights up every room with her radiant smile and warm spirit, ensuring that everyone at Hope Services in Santa Cruz feels welcomed and included. For nearly 20 years, Lori has been a member of the Hope community, building lasting friendships with both staff and fellow participants. One of the most meaningful aspects of Lori’s…

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Anna Fernandez on Mental Health and being a Woman of Influence

By Anabel Pimentel | May 28, 2025

Anna Fernandez, Executive Director of Behavioral Health at Hope Services, has been named one of the 2025 Women of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. A passionate advocate and visionary leader in the mental health field, Anna has dedicated 27 years to Hope Services. From Trainee to Executive Director, her journey has been marked…

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Hope in Action: How James Found His Dream Job

By Anabel Pimentel | May 28, 2025

James first arrived at Hope Services in 2016, eager to find opportunities for growth and personal development. He joined the Employment, Media, and Community Connections (EMCC) program that same year, where he engaged in skill-building activities and explored various career possibilities. Over time, he voiced a clear preference for working in his community, outdoors, and…

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A Heartfelt Thank You to the Gilroy Foundation

By Anabel Pimentel | April 28, 2025

Hope Services extends our deepest gratitude to the Gilroy Foundation for awarding us a generous grant that has brought dance classes to the Gilroy Day Program. This opportunity has brought so much joy to both our staff and participants, and we are incredibly excited about the positive impact it is already having. When our participants…

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Autism Awareness Month

By Anabel Pimentel | April 28, 2025

April marked World Autism Awareness Month—a time dedicated to fostering deeper understanding, promoting inclusion, and inspiring collective action toward meaningful and lasting change. At Hope Services, we are proud to be a leading advocate for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities across the Bay Area. We recognize and celebrate the invaluable…

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Children and Family Services Honors Educators and Speech-Language Pathologists

By Anabel Pimentel | April 28, 2025

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, and Teacher Appreciation Week begins 5/5/25! Both are a time to recognize and celebrate the many benefits of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and educators and to spotlight the impact that teachers and SLPs have on the lives of those they serve. At Children and Family Services (CFS), so many of our…

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Staff Spotlight | Jackie Lance

By Anabel Pimentel | April 28, 2025

Jackie’s journey with Hope began in Independent Living Services (ILS), and over the years, she has made significant contributions across several programs including SEP, the C.A.N. program, and EMCC. Today, she serves as the Intake Coordinator at our Whittier site. A valued member of the DEI Blog Committee for over two years, Jackie has been…

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DEI Awards | Cecilia & Fedel

By Anabel Pimentel | April 25, 2025

It is with great joy that Hope Services recognizes our very first DEI Champion Award honorees—Fedel Sanchez and Cecilia Osuna. These extraordinary individuals lead with heart, compassion, and commitment to inclusion. Cecilia is more than just a leader — she is a bridge-builder, a culture-sharer, and a relentless advocate for inclusivity. Through her efforts, she…

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