Posts by Hope_Author
Meet Chantell: Breaking Down Barriers Towards Quality of Life for Individuals with IDD
For many individuals with IDD, the path to employment begins with a daunting question: What happens to my benefits if I start working? The relationship between earned income and Social Security benefits is complex, and for many, the fear of losing critical support can feel like an insurmountable barrier standing between them and their career…
Learn moreCelebrating Our Volunteers – You Make the Difference
Celebrating Our Volunteers During Volunteer Appreciation Week In celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we are honored to shine a spotlight on the remarkable individuals who give their time, talent, and heart to Hope Services. From corporate partners to longtime community members, our volunteers make our mission possible every single day. Children and Family Services Volunteer…
Learn moreBuilt on Hope: Staff Spotlight — Benon Kalisa
If you have ever been to the EMCC Program at Whittier, then you most likely have had the pleasure of meeting Benon Kalisa. While his technical title is Program Manager, he is so much more. Leader, friend, jokester, and soccer fan are just a few terms to describe Benon. Benon has spent most of his…
Learn moreFrom Tech to Therapy: Mike Landeros’s Journey to Hope
From Intern to Full-Time Team Member Mike Landeros’s journey into Mental Health therapy hasn’t been typical. After nearly 20 years in tech project management, he made a bold career pivot into the field and hasn’t looked back. He joined us as an intern in September 2024 and transitioned to a full-time Clinician role after graduating…
Learn moreAt 90, Still Giving: Kathryn’s Story of Service at HopeTHRIFT
Kathryn has spent her life giving back to the communities she’s been a part of, and that commitment hasn’t slowed down at 90 years old. After decades of volunteering, she brought that same dedication to HopeTHRIFT in Watsonville nearly two years ago. There, she helps with everyday tasks like organizing clothing and keeping the store…
Learn moreCatalina’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…
Learn more2025 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…
Learn moreFrom 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,…
Learn moreMake 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…
Learn moreDungeons & 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…
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