“I am a PeaceBuilder.

I Pledge . . .
To praise people
Volume 1, Number 3, Summer 2008
To give up put-downs
To seek wise people
To notice and speak up
about hurts I have caused
To right wrongs
To help others
I will build peace
at home, at school,
and in my community
each day.”

K
Kids with positive attitudes flourish in class and at home.
Instilling respect and teaching problem solving can stop violence and disruptive
behavior before it starts. This year, Hope’s Youth Development Team
launched a multi-year violence prevention curriculum at 10 After School and
Beyond programs in Southern California.
The youth who attend After positive problem solving,
School and Beyond programs and has been shown to
are often challenged by reduce youth behaviors
community violence. “While associated with violence. It is
National CORE provides also approved by the
families with beautiful, safe California Department of
housing, we cannot control Education and implemented
PeaceBuilders seeks to stop
kids’ exposure to community by school districts and after violence before it starts.
and societal violence,” says school programs nationwide.
children recite the PeaceBuilders
Susan Neufeld, Director of “PeacePartners, Inc. is
Pledge (see sidebar above) and
Youth Development Services. proud to partner with Hope
participate in PeaceBuilders
“Our after-school staff are car- Through Housing in their
activities. Staff and children
ing adults who help youth mission to create and
also “Praise People” by
cope. In our programs, kids maintain more peaceful home
noticing positive behavior and
get the support they need to environments for young
writing “Praise Notes.”
handle school and neighbor- people and their families. Our
continued on page 2
hood pressures.” shared commitment to ensure
The project is funded that children and teens have
through the Edward Byrne the tools, skills and opportuni- INSIDE THIS EDITION
Memorial State and Local Law ties they need to gain resiliency
Show of Support 2
Enforcement Assistance Grant and become healthy, happy
CitySpan 4
program of the Office of adults makes this partnership
Justice Programs. The grant a powerful force for positive Incredible Kid Day 4
supports a partnership with change.” Needs Assessment 5
PeacePartners, Inc., a Long The curriculum is appro- The Cottages 6
Beach-based nonprofit that priate for all age groups and
Always in Our Heart 7
has developed the PeaceBuilders® creates a warm after-school
violence prevention curriculum. climate – an essential ingre- Wells Fargo Visit 7
This well-recognized dient in a high quality after Letter from Director 8
curriculum is focused on school program. Each day,
 Show of Support Donations received February 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008.

Without our many donors, we could not do the work we do. Thanks to all our employees,
community members and local corporations who believe in supporting the children and
families living in National CORE properties.
Rocio Aguilar Elizabeth Delgado Manuel Hernandez Ronald Mendoza Calixto Kareem Salama
James Aliberti Jacob Dijak Robert Herstein Severo Mendoza Joanne Salas
Mark Alloway Mary Anne Dijak Angela Heyward Larry P. Meredith Yvette Salazar
Marisol Becerra Mondi Dorrough Gerald Hirneise Jr. Jackie Miranda Joaquin A. Sanchez
Lorraine Marie Begay Linda Ducket Gabriela Hoffman Juan Miranda Kathryn Sandoval
Javier Beltran Jr. ENERGX Controls, Inc. Hudson Housing Capital Brunella Mooney Laura Scearce
Gustavo Benavides Bernardo Esparza Cynthia Huizar Janet Moore Laurie Schoelkopf
James Bigler Tanisha Ferguson David Huizar Sherran Moore Juliana Schweiger
Clinton Bolton Juan Ferrer Teri Hunter Ofelia Morales Robert Scott
Ross Bonilla Rena Fountain Jeffrey Burum Enterprises Wilfredo Motta George Searcy
Marsha Bowlds Elizabeth Freeman Gary D. Johnson Nicole Murphy Anne Sellers
Kathy Brackins Shannon Freeman Julie Johnson Michelle Nathanson John Seymour III
Katherine Brake Denise Garcia Nzinga Johnson Luis Navarro Shaw Industries
Danielle Briggs Hipolito E. Garcia Anthony Jones Susan Neufeld Ramon Simmons
Richard Brooks Jose M. Garcia Olen Jones Julie Normand Mary Smith
Jacqueline Brown Priscilla Garcia KJ Carpet Wholesale Abel Ortega Welton Smith
Craig Bruce Jesus Gastelum Stella Kao-Chu Arlene Ortiz Michelle Sosa
Doretta Bryan Geocon Incorporate Christopher M. Killian PG & E Corporation Juana Soto
Anthony Bryers Maricella Gerez Thomas Kulinski Jr. Darryl Perez Jvonne Stepter
Brian Bush Evelyn Gibson Debra Lakees Anthony Perez Randall Street
Claudia Camarillo-Dievendorf Maria Gomez Salvador Lemus Fernando Perez George Suarez
Alejandro Cardenas Rene Gomez Pablo Lopez Payo Cynthia Petry John Taylor
Robert Carpenter Angela Gonzalez Krystal L. Lopez Frances Pinkney Leslie Tullos
Luis A. Castillo Ellen Gonzalez Martha Lopez Marie Powell Unihealth Foundation
Jesse Champion Edward Gonzales Juan Lopez Susan Powers Gary Velarde
Kerri Chatman Herlinda Gonzalez Misael Loyola-Rivera Productive Learning & Cynthia Velasco
Jeremy Clark Joelle Greene Mary M. Lucas Leisure Jorge Velasco
Rebecca Clark Victor Guerra Kelly L. Madden Capria Pryor Lisa Velasquez
Gloria Colmenar Rafael Roberto Guzman Frias Alberto Mancilla Rosa Ravin Kathern M. Wagoner
Lorna Contreras HD Supply Christina Martinez Paul Reid Steven Paul Weller
Morgana Corelli Tonette Hall Fernando Martinez Dagoberto Reynoso Donna Whittall
Yesenia Cortes Lesley Hampton-Edwards Jennifer Martinez Perlita Ricardez Richard Whittingham
Rachel Cunningham Candice Harris Sara Matheson Rocsana Rios Teresa Williams
Resawn Cunningham Luisa Harrod Sperry Maxwell Annie Rodriguez Tony B. Wilson
Judy Darnell Cynthia Heiman Judy K. McDonald Monica Rodriguez Patricia Yracheta
Elaine Davis Carolina Hernandez Dale McGallian Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill

continued from page 1
Combined, these activities
reinforce the importance of
respect, communication, and
accountability.
Already, program staff notice
an impact on behavior. Says one
After School and Beyond staff
member from Mountainside
in Rancho Cucamonga, “It is
becoming part of the culture
and we are seeing changes in
the behavior of the kids.”
Kids like the program,
too. When asked how it feels
to give a Praise Note, a
Shadow Hill (Santee, CA)
student replied, “It feels great.
You’re making someone else
feel happy. That is the best
part.” Another student chimed
in, “I used to have a lot of
problems, fights non-stop.
The more I learn Peace -
Builders, the better it gets.”
About six weeks into imple-
mentation sites saw some
hopeful trends: 90% of sites
had the Pledge posted and a
PraiseBoard® in the program
space; 60% used curriculum
materials and 50% were saying
the Pledge on a daily basis. A
full report is due for publica-
tion later this fall.
In 2008-09, the program
will be expanded to three
additional sites. The Youth
Development Team will also
provide enhanced trainings on
violence prevention, activity
planning, and other program-
matic best practices for reduc-
ing youth violence. The team
hopes to obtain funding to
expand the program to all
After School and Beyond sites
in 2009-10.
 Why Gary Gives to Hope

“I give to Hope
because it is a
good thing.

I am out there on
the properties
every day, and I
see that the
money really goes
to the kids who
need it.” Gary Velarde, Purchasing Contract Analyst,
gives to Hope through payroll deduction.

Every quarter, Gary Velarde, Purchasing Contracts

Analyst, arrives at the Hope offices beaming, check in
hand. Not only does Gary give through the payroll
deduction plan, but his contagious energy and enthusiasm
has led to several donations to Hope from vendors who do
business with National CORE.

As a father himself, Gary recognizes how hard it is to find

good educational programs and positive influences for
children today. He believes in helping others who may not
have as many opportunities. Gary has been with National
CORE for four years, and he is excited about the growth
and challenges presented here.

Hope Through Housing Foundation

in partnership with
National Community Renaissance

Save the Date
For more information please call:
Michelle Nathanson,
909-483-2444 ext. 136
mnathanson@hthf.org
Presents
“Faces of Hope”
The 10th Annual Gala
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
Experience the images of those who impact our
communities through a photo essay exhibit.
After School & Beyond
Joins in Camp Fire USA’s
“Absolutely Incredible
Kid” Day Program

ach year onMarch 20 Camp

E Fire USA urges parents,

teachers and other adults to
write letters to kids to tell them how
great they are. They have been cele-
brating Absolutely Incredible Kid
Day for 10 years, and have more
than 600 million people
participating!
With the help of National CORE
staff, Hope partners, employees,
family members, and supporters,
more than 600 children in the After
School & Beyond Program received
a letter. The letters told the kids how
special they are and gave them
words of encouragement.
Not only did the kids feel great,
but the adults who participated
reported how good they felt writing
their letters. Many children wrote
letters back to their new friends.
Alejandro from
Palmdale wrote,
“Thanks for your
advice. It really
helped me when I
was down. You More than 600 kids
are a really received a letter
great friend! If telling them how
this advice incredible they are.
works I will be
the happiest person in the world!”
Thank you to all the CORE
employees that wrote letters and
asked their family members to write
letters. And a special thank you to
Productive Learning and Leisure
whose staff and clients wrote to our
students.
More than 800 students in five counties throughout California use after-school services
provided by Hope Through Housing. Hope is now uses Cityspan to keep track of their progress.
Cityspan
Youth Development Team Launches Data Tracking System
How do you keep track of more services to those who need it most.
than 800 kids in five Southern Through Cityspan, we have real-time
California counties? access to this important indicator.”
This spring, the Youth Development Program staff also like the program.
Team pilot tested Cityspan, a web- “The database is an easy way to
based system for tracking after-school register students and keep track of
attendance and student registration. their daily attendance,” says Gulvarg
Already used by after-school providers Kaur, Program Director for Camp Fire
across the nation, Cityspan helps Hope USA – Mt. San Antonio Council. “It
keep track of who is coming, how frees up time to spend with other
often, and, over time, if programs are program activities. Also, it helps me
impacting student achievement. monitor programs, manage program
“Data tracking is essential to our activities, and complete data reports.”
work. It allows us to focus on program Ms. Kaur oversees programs at seven
impact rather than program monitor- properties in Rancho Cucamonga,
ing,” says Joelle Greene, Director of Palmdale, Victorville, and Alta Loma.
Research and Evaluation for National With such a positive reaction, the
CORE. “Without the database, it would Hope Through Housing Senior
take a significant amount of time to Wellness team launched the Cityspan
track simple things like attendance database for tracking senior services
and student information.” delivery on July 1, 2008. We look
Yoon Elle Uh, Evaluation Analyst I forward to its benefits to our seniors
for National CORE, agrees. as well!
“Attendance tracking helps us know
that we’re delivering our quality
Hitting the Target with Needs Assessment American Evaluation
Association to Learn
About Hope
Hope is fortunate to have the resources of
Each community Hope Through Housing serves is National CORE’s Research & Evaluation
unique. Staff often say that properties have unique “personalities” that Department to help us make sure that our
are shaped by the people who live there and the larger community around programs are of the greatest benefit possible
them. Understanding a community’s resources and needs is a critical step to our residents. As a result of their work
with us, Dr. Joelle Greene, Yoon Elle Uh, and
to determining what services individuals and families need, want, and
Susan Neufeld will be presenting some of
most importantly, will participate in and use. what they have learned from Hope’s
So what is needs assessment? Joelle Greene, PhD, Director of Research & Evaluation programs at the national meeting of the
for National CORE explains: “Needs assessment is about looking for gaps between what American Evaluation Association in
November. The presentations will be:
communities need and what they have. Then we ask how Hope can fill those gaps.”
“The After School Program Report Card:
A formal needs assessment includes information from residents, community leaders A Tool for Sharing and
Utilizing Evaluation Findings”
and other service agencies. It provides answers such as which organizations would make
the best partners and what features need to be in place for residents to use the program. Joelle Greene, Ph.D., Susan Neufeld, M.A.,
& Yoon Elle Uh
Hope is committed to offering meaningful services that measurably impact the lives
“Building the Sustainability of Non-profit
of residents and the community. Needs assessment ensures we hit the target from the Organizations via Internal Evaluation:
start. If you’re interested in reading more, needs assessments can be downloaded at A Case Study of Housing-based Social Services”

Hope’s website: www.hthf.org Joelle Greene, Ph.D.

Child Development Center Senior Communities Youth Development

“We saw the value in needs
assessment firsthand in our work
to bring a child development
center to Corona del Rey,” says
George Searcy, Executive
Director of the Hope Through
Housing Foundation. “Through
the process we learned that most
families in this community were
looking for a part-time pre-
school experience to help their
children get ready for school and
that many parents were eager to
volunteer in the preschool. With
this information we were able to
align our service strategy directly
with what residents need and
want from the start.”
Needs assessment at Senior
Communities assists the Service
Coordination team in determin-
ing the balance of programming
and support at each property.
“The range of physical function-
ing of residents can vary tremen-
dously from property to property,
so the data provided by needs
assessment is critical to our
service planning,” says Ofelia
Morales, Community Partner -
ships Manager for the Senior
Wellness Initiative. Senior
Service Coordinators conduct
in-depth interviews with
residents to better understand
the economic, physical and
social challenges they face in
maintaining independence and
aging in community.
In the Youth Development
Initiative, needs assessment pro-
vides information about existing
after school care and unmet need.
Susan Neufeld, Director of Youth
Development Services for Hope
finds value in needs assessment,
“Data from our Rialto needs
assessment helped us to identify
high school youth as the target of
after school at Citrus Grove. We
learned that Rialto was rich in
after school services for school-
age children but had almost
nothing for high-school-aged
youth. With this knowledge, we
were able to approach the district
to support our application on a
$250,000 21st Century Learning
Center/High School Assets Grant,
which we received.”

T
The Cottages is a beautiful 144-unit community surrounded by tall trees in
the Capital City of Arkansas. More than 150 seniors, adults with a variety of
disabilities, and their children call The Cottages “home.”
As the only housing community in the
state of Arkansas that is 100% disability-
accessible, The Cottages offers a
unique opportunity for Arkansans
with disabilities to live in an afford-
able, supportive environment with on-
site case management.
Adult residents (both senior and non-
seniors) adults, at The Cottages have a
broad range of both mental and physical
disorders, some of which are quite
severe.
What is most amazing about this
community is the vast amount of diver-
sity, personal strength, and perseverance
that each individual here offers. Many
residents have had to overcome tremen-
dous obstacles, such as social injustices,
ignorance about their particular disabili-
ty, and lack of resources, in order to gain
and/or retain their independence. “The
Residents of The
Cottages enjoy housing
that is disability
accessible and
services to help them
live as independently
as possible.
resilience of residents is an inspiration to countless other challenges are overcome
all of us who come in contact with them day to day by residents, with the help of
on a daily basis,” states The Cottages our two Service Coordinators, Leslie
Service Coordinator, Leslie Tullos and Tabatha Scott.
Tullos. Thanks to the
The location “The resilience of Service Coordin-
of The these residents is an inspiration to ator grant
Cottages, all of us who come in contact with received from
though them on a daily basis.” HUD, residents at
beautiful and green, The Cottages have
presents some challenges to increased opportunities to
residents. The location restricts a per- improve their quality of life, little by
son’s ability to stay connected to their little. The HOPE team continues to work
larger community. to increase community partner involve-
Transportation to church services or ment in on-site activities to help
other community based organizations is decrease social isolation, increase
limited; public transit options, such as resource availability, strengthen resident
buses, provide a limited number of networks of support, and make other
wheelchair spaces. Additionally, many opportunities for community engage-
residents of The Cottages cannot rely on ment more accessible for these amazing
family members for support. These and Arkansans.
Always in our Hearts
On July 12, Cobblestone Village was saddened to learn that resident Daniel Alguera, 8, was killed in an
automobile accident. Daniel left behind his mother, father, two sisters and a brother. He also left many friends
and mentors in the after-school program who will miss him greatly.

A generous donation of a tree from De La Torre Landscaping allowed Hope to plant a tree at Cobblestone
Village in his memory. A plaque in English and Spanish reads: “To our friend Daniel, you are always in our hearts.”

The dedication ceremony held at Cobblestone was attended by approximately 50 people including children,
mentors, property management, Hope staff, school staff, residents and members of Daniel’s family. To help
children through the grieving process program staff who knew Daniel read the book “The Giving Tree” about a
tree that loves a boy. The children were told that Daniel’s tree represents all of the people at Cobblestone who
loved Daniel. At the close of the ceremony, each person was encouraged to pour water onto the roots of the
tree to represent the tears they have cried and will cry for Daniel. The plaque dedicating the tree
that was planted in memory of
Daniel Alguera, pictured above.

Wells Fargo Team Sees National CORE and Hope’s Changes in Rialto.
welve executives representing that have taken place. Many commented, The visitors entered the busy room and

T several Southern California

departments of Wells Fargo Bank
visited the National CORE and Hope
offices on July 12.
After lunch the group first visited the
new Citrus Grove facility. Staff and
visitors alike who had not yet seen the
newly painted learning center or an
apartment were amazed at the changes
“Wow! this is nicer than my first
apartment!”
The group then loaded the bus again
for a visit to the summer day camp at
Renaissance Village. Children were
actively engaged in many science
projects ranging from making lava lamps
to inflating a balloon using a baking
soda mix.
joined in, all agreeing later that they had
learned a few things themselves.
Hope thanks National CORE Board
Member Renee Bizer for coordinating
this visit. Wells Fargo has been a
supporter of Hope programs since 2001.
Pictured: Visitors outside Renaissance
Village Day Camp.
 FROM HOPE’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Greetings!
As the summer months are now behind us, we are gearing challenges limit their shopping options. In the desert properties,
up for a busy fall at Hope. I would like to take a few moments our Senior Services Coordinator, Craig Bruce, and a resident are
to share with you some new developments in our services to being trained to lead “Fit After Fifty” classes. Fit After Fifty is a
National CORE residents. We are very national exercise program that has
excited to be opening after-school pro- demonstrated results increasing older
grams at new sites this fall. One of these adults’ fitness and mobility.
will be our first senior high school pro- By now, we hope most of you have
gram housed at the new Citrus Grove marked your calendars for our 10th
Learning Center. Thanks to support from Annual Gala. This year’s event will be
the Rialto Unified School District, Hope held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in
received a $250,000 grant from the State downtown Los Angeles on Thursday,
of California to provide an after-school November 13 at 6:30 PM. While you
enrichment program to the students enjoy a delicious meal and cocktails, we
attending Eisenhower Senior High School. Children at Renaissance Village summer will share with you the stories of our
camp show off their projects.
Our senior properties are adding new residents through a photo essay exhibit.
services as well. Residents of Tres Lomas Gardens are now get- Our annual Gala is always an enjoyable evening and a great
ting fresh produce brought to them by the Los Angeles County opportunity for people from numerous communities to come
Food Bank. This is extremely important to our seniors as many together. We look forward to seeing you there.
lower-income seniors often forgo healthy fresh fruits because
George Searcy
the cost is too high or because mobility and transportation Executive Director, Hope Through Housing

Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
PA I D
Permit No 7068
Rancho Cucmonga
HopethroughHousing CA 91730
Hope Through Housing Foundation
9065 Haven Avenue, Suite 100
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

tel: (909) 483-2444

fax: (909) 476-5912
www.hopethroughhousing.org