News and Events
Catalina’s 10-Year Milestone at Google
This year marks a remarkable milestone for Catalina, who is celebrating 10 years of working at Google. After graduating from Mountain View High School in 2016, Catalina began exploring what her future might hold. With both her mother and sister already working at Google, the family wondered if there might be an opportunity for her…
2025 DEI Champion Award Announcement!
On behalf of the DEI Committee, it is my pleasure to announce that Traci Taber and Zen Chamberlain have been selected as the recipients of the Hope Services 2025 DEI Champion Award. Traci Taber, Store Manager for Hope Thrift in Watsonville, has cultivated a strong culture of inclusion at her location where associates, individuals served, and customers are recognized and appreciated every day. Through…
From Styling to Celebrating: Desiree Lights Up A Night to Shine
Desiree Biggs is truly a Jill of many trades, generously using her talent and advocacy to uplift our community. In February, the Tim Bow Foundation hosted its annual prom A Night to Shine, an event our program participants eagerly look forward to each year. Desiree proudly joined the prom’s “glam squad,” a team of hairstylists,…
What Brings You Hope in 2026? | Hopeful Moments – Hope Services
What brings you hope in 2026? In our first Hopeful Moments video of the year, Hope Services Interim CEO Aila Malik asked the people who make our community so special—program participants and staff—one simple question: What brings you hope in 2026? The answers are heartfelt, joyful, and at times wonderfully unexpected. From dreams of new…
Make the Vision of Hope a Reality
At Hope Services, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to thrive, belong, and live a fulfilling life. That belief is at the heart of our strategic plan, Bridging Hope Forward, a bold roadmap to meet unmet needs, strengthen services, and advance disability inclusion across our region. To bring this vision to life, we are working…
Dungeons & Dragons as a Tool for Mental Health and Person-Centered Support
Adventure, bravery, and camaraderie unite a group of eight participants. Together, they guide heroes through dangerous quests, battle formidable enemies, rescue endangered dragons—and sometimes even each other. Mitchell, a 31-year-old participant with autism at Employment, Media, and Community Connections (EMCC) Whittier, has been attending Hope Services since 2017. In 2018, he secured a position at…
ICE Safety and Confidentiality
This past weekend’s tragic event involving immigration enforcement has deeply affected many across our region. Regardless of politics, the news coming out of Minnesota over the last two weeks has been incredibly alarming and discouraging. We unequivocally condemn the violence and loss of life we are witnessing, and we are appalled that families are being…
Advancing Opportunities for Neurodiverse Students: Hope and San Jose State University at TASH Conference
This month, Hope Services proudly presented at the TASH Conference in Denver, CO, an international gathering of leaders in disability advocacy. We highlighted our partnership with San Jose State University through the SPARTANS OCLS program, which supports neurodiverse students in preparing for competitive, integrated employment. The SPARTANS OCLS program offers a personalized academic, social, and…
A message from Hope parents Ruthie & Bill
We’re writing to you today as long-term Hope volunteers, donors and, most importantly, parents of a client. Just a few days ago, our son, Alex, turned 41. We recalled that 20 years ago no community-based program existed in our community. Alex would be exiting the public school system with no clear path forward. No programs…
Where Love Leads: Paul’s Twenty Years of Compassionate Care
For Paul, love is at the heart of his care philosophy. A full-time companion to participants in the North District, he celebrated 20 years with Hope Services this fall. Though he has been encouraged to step into a supervisor role, Paul has chosen to remain in direct care, because providing hands-on support is where he…
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