WHO WE ARE
Why are we different?
We start with the conviction that all things are possible for homeless children. Therefore, we provide a holistic approach to solving challenges and address all aspects of life: educational, psychosocial, developmental, financial. We do this because we want to provide the level of care to children experiencing homelessness that we would give to our children.
Our Mission
ENDING THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS, ONE CHILD AT A TIME
WHY WE DO IT
FOR THE KIDS, ALWAYS
Our primary mandate is to serve homeless children. In everything we do, our goal is to honor the dignity and potential of each child. We strive every day to deliver that level of care.
OUR STORY
Project Hope Alliance grew out of a schoolteacher’s passion for assisting local homeless children with their education – with her car serving as the first classroom. This personal outreach program soon became an organized undertaking called Project HOPE, which stood for “Homeless Outreach Program in Education.”
Project HOPE grew to become a county-run school designed to help children without permanent homes transition into the mainstream educational system. The First Presbyterian Church of Orange served as a key partner of the program for 20+ years, providing the facilities and many other invaluable operational services to the school.
Now called Project Hope Alliance, the organization remains committed to providing homeless children and youth from kindergarten through age 24 with the tools and opportunities that they need to learn their way to a better tomorrow. In this work, we have spent the last 28 years developing a unique model of care, which includes effective education and housing stability program models that serve the needs of children experiencing homelessness in Orange County.
A 12-year-old girl sitting on a motel bed, surrounded by homework, siblings, and parents, all crammed into one small room.
A 9-year-old boy entering a classroom with his head down, ashamed about not knowing where he will sleep tonight.
These are the images of children in Orange County who struggle with homelessness — the county’s best-kept secret. Although we may not see these “motel kids” in the streets or desperately gripping cardboard signs, they exist in overwhelming abundance.
Under the area’s veil of affluence are the faces of almost 30,000 children who experience homelessness and 120,000 children who live in poverty. They say goodnight from motels, shelters, and couches. They are forced to focus on where they will sleep instead of what they will learn. Tragically, their educations and futures suffer.
Years ago, I was one of these faces. For decades, I silenced my past as an Orange County motel kid, but in the spring of 2013, I shared my story to spark hope and conversation about childhood homelessness.
As a technology entrepreneur, my father experienced unpredictable lapses in income. Although my mother worked as a preschool teacher, keeping a roof over our family of six proved taxing. While there were periods of financial stability, there were also times of despair.
During my junior high and high school years, my three brothers, our parents, and I often packed our lives into 214-square-foot motel rooms. Feelings of shame, lack of privacy, and an economically schizophrenic childhood created an environment where the basic elements of being a kid, like doing homework, were sometimes lost.
Childhood homelessness data from the U.S. Department of Education is shocking. According to the department, 1 in 30 children in the country experience homelessness. Here in Orange County, it’s 1 in 6. California has the largest population of homeless children in America, and Orange County has more homeless students than the average for the state and for neighboring Los Angeles and San Diego counties, according to the California Department of Education.
The effects of youth homelessness are devastating, ranging from chronic emotional stress and physical malnourishment to significant academic gaps and difficulty making friends. In comparison with their peers, children experiencing homelessness are nine times more likely to repeat a grade, four times more likely to drop out of school, and three times more likely to be placed in special education programs, according to the Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness.
But there is hope.
At Project Hope Alliance, we start with the kids. Our goal is to make sure that every homeless child in Orange County succeeds academically.
Our impactful approach ends the cycle of generational homelessness by empowering our kids with a unique academic program that is lovingly tailored to their skills and strengths to help them achieve financial independence.
Since 2012, we have ended homelessness for more than 1,500 kids and parents by stabilizing families in their own homes and providing their children with an exceptional education.
Take my story as an example of the boundless power of faith, hope, and determination. Since graduating from the University of California, Irvine, and Whittier Law School, to becoming a partner at a large law firm before age 40, and then leaving the practice of law to proudly serve as Project Hope Alliance’s CEO, I now realize that my story is not about me. I just happen to be the one with a voice right now to communicate that a child’s future should never be determined by their parents’ economic circumstances.
Team Kid
Our team comes from a variety of backgrounds, but we all have one thing in common: a passion for accomplishing PHA’s mission: to end the cycle of homelessness, one child at a time.
Our Team
Jennifer Friend, J.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Prior to becoming CEO, Jennifer Friend enjoyed a successful career as a partner at a large law firm, representing national and international clients throughout the civil courts of California. While practicing law, she served as President and Secretary of the Project Hope Alliance Board of Directors and was actively engaged in the organization’s expansion and strategic growth. In 2013, Jennifer answered her calling, left her partnership, and became Project Hope Alliance’s full-time CEO. Since then, she has led PHA from a team of two to a mighty team focused on eliminating the barriers and filling in the gaps that homelessness causes in the lives of children and youth throughout Orange County.
Her personal experience as a homeless child in Orange County, which inspired the Broadway play Nomad Motel, fuels her deep-rooted passion and commitment to homeless children and youth, while her ability to cast vision, think strategically, and lead and direct broader systemic change uniquely qualify her to serve as Project Hope Alliance’s CEO.
Jennifer holds a J.D. from Whittier Law School and a B.A. in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California, Irvine, where she serves as a Trustee.
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Rachel Cardenas, PSY.D
Director of Behavioral Health
Rachel holds a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology and has worked with youth and young adults for most of her career. Prior to joining Project Hope Alliance, Rachel worked as a therapist in schools with youth experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral issues and in inpatient and outpatient facilities with individuals experiencing severe mental health concerns. While working in the school system, Rachel also consulted teachers and school staff regarding mental health, crisis intervention, behavioral interventions, and social skill development. Rachel worked at Gordon Psychology Group, where she led their clinical team, developed the training program, and was responsible for training and supervising therapists, case managers, and substance abuse counselors. Rachel specializes in working with individuals who have experienced trauma and has a passion for working with youth. She aims to bring her clinical lens to her work with Project Hope Alliance. Rachel holds a B.A. in Psychology from Dominican University and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University.
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Bonita Vecchio, M.ED.
Manager of Outreach and Partnerships
Bonita Vecchio joined Project Hope Alliance (PHA) in January 2020. She has extensive experience in leading and managing teams that work with youth who have experienced trauma and have academic and developmental needs. Before joining PHA, she worked for over seven years in special education classrooms to enrich the learning experience of students with learning disabilities and to train parents on how to communicate and advocate for their children. She also worked as a flight attendant for three years and traveled worldwide, but her true passion lies in cultivating teams and supporting students with additional needs. Her favorite part of her role at PHA is when a student has an “aha” moment during personal growth conversations. In addition, she has volunteered with OC Rescue Mission in Tustin and Released Time in Villa Park. Bonita holds a B.A. in Christian Studies, with an emphasis in Theology, and an M.A. in Education, Special Education from Grand Canyon University.
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Lizbeth Loyola, M.A.
Program Manager
Lizbeth joined Project Hope Alliance (PHA) in June 2018 as a bilingual Education Coordinator for the organization’s Bright Start program, offering academic support and school navigation for families with K-6 students. In her role, she attends parent-teacher conferences and IEP meetings to advocate for students’ needs and educational success. She conducts literacy and math assessments to implement academic interventions to bridge the learning gap, provides social and emotional referrals, and assists families during crisis situations. Before joining PHA, Lizbeth served as an Instructional Provider for Santa Ana and Orange Unified School Districts and a Youth Development Professional at the Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, Fullerton, and has her M.P.A. from National University.
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Jennifer Matsuda
Manager of Program Impact
Jennifer Matsuda is excited to serve Project Hope Alliance (PHA) as their Manager of Program Impact. She will oversee and lead the measurement strategy for PHA. She joined PHA as Manager of Development and Communication in 2019. Jennifer is a highly successful relationship builder and professional communicator with ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Jennifer has led communication efforts and delivery with nonprofit boards, donors, and public officials. In addition, Jennifer enjoys creating and aligning systems for streamlining effectiveness and fostering teamwork to support PHA’s mission. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Notre Dame de Namur University.
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Guadalupe Contreras
District Lead Case Manager, Newport-Mesa
Guadalupe (Lupita) joined Project Hope Alliance as a Case Manager in February 2020. Her background includes working with youth and families. Lupita attended California State University, Fullerton, where she studied Broadcast Journalism and Sociology. Being the first to attend college in her family, she understood mentoring programs’ importance to students. She worked directly with first-generation high-school students by providing academic and mentor support. While there, she realized many layers involved in supporting a student. She is proud that Project Hope Alliance assesses and supports the multiple layers it takes to help students succeed.
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Victor Lugo
District Lead Case Manager, Santa Ana
Victor joined Project Hope Alliance in the summer of 2021 as a Case Manager. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a major in sociology. He is currently attending Azusa Pacific University, working on his Master’s degree in Social Work. Prior to PHA, Victor worked at the Priority Center, providing in-home support services to low-income families in Orange County. Working with children from different backgrounds has helped him understand early intervention’s importance in achieving academic and personal success. He chooses to work with at-risk youth because he believes every child should have an equal opportunity to succeed.
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Jocelyn Balderrama
District Lead Case Manager, Huntington Beach
Jocelyn joined Project Hope Alliance in September 2022. Prior to PHA, Jocelyn worked as a Behavioral Therapist to help improve the lives of youth with developmental disabilities and their families. Jocelyn understands the importance of supporting and advocating for youth so they can overcome any disparities or barriers they may face. Jocelyn is dedicated to being a resource and advocate for at-risk youth. She believes every child deserves an equal opportunity to have their basic needs met, focusing on their education and social and mental well-being.
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Fatiha Small
Case Manager
Fatiha (Tia) joined Project Hope Alliance in January 2017 as an Operations Assistant and has since advanced to Program Coordinator. In her role, she serves as the first point of contact for many families enrolling in PHA’s programs, providing phenomenal support and service to every individual who walks through the organization’s doors. Fatiha also supports the day-to-day functions of all programs, including front office support, resource database development, food pantry maintenance, program screenings, procurement of extracurricular activities for children and youth, and facilitation of financial assistance requests and referrals for families. Prior to joining PHA, she served as a Community Leader Liaison for the City of Irvine. Fatiha holds a B.A. in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.
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Chrissie Lee, M.S.W. PPSC
Case Manager
Since 2013, Chrissie has served as a Case Manager for Project Hope Alliance’s (PHA) core Promotor Pathway Program, providing unsurpassed supportive counseling and advocacy for out-of-school youth. In her role, she conducts comprehensive assessments with young adults experiencing homelessness, develops case plans, provides crisis intervention, links youth to resources, supervises interns, and more. Prior to joining PHA, Chrissie served as a Personal Services Coordinator for the Vietnamese Community of Orange County and an Educational Case Manager Intern for the Orange County Department of Education, Foster Youth Services. She holds an M.S.W. with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from the University of Southern California and a B.A. in Human Development with a minor in Human Resources from California State University, Long Beach.
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Kimberly Garrido
Case Manager
Kimberly joined Project Hope Alliance (PHA) in the summer of 2021 as a Case Manager. Kimberly graduated from the University of California, Irvine, where she studied psychology and social development. Prior to PHA, she was an ABA therapist, working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kimberly comes from a single-parent household and relates to many of the barriers that PHA parents, children, and families can face when attempting to pursue their education. Kimberly loves being able to help children grow to their highest potential and being able to share that success with them and their families.
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Kirya Valle
Case Manager
Kirya joined PHA as a case manager Fall of 2021. Kirya graduated from the California State University of Long Beach with a B.A. in psychology. Before working at PHA, Kirya worked at a mental health facility working with adults going through a mental health crisis and learning to practice independent living skills. Kirya enjoys working with the youth and being in a position to build up and encourage them and their passions.
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Jocelyn Montiel
Case Manager
Jocelyn joined Project Hope Alliance in the winter of 2022. Prior to joining PHA, she worked with at-risk youth in a group home setting. Jocelyn brings excellent skills in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and behavioral intervention to PHA’s team. Jocelyn is working on her Masters in Social Work and looks forward to creating real change for students experiencing homelessness.
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Nidia Pravongviengkham M.A
Case Manager
Nidia joined Project Hope Alliance (PHA) in the winter of 2022 as a Case Manager. She graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University with a double major in Business Administration and Sociology. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. Prior to PHA, Nidia worked with foster care youth as an investigator for minors’ counsel at the juvenile dependency courts and as a social worker in a foster care agency. Nidia enjoys field and school-based assignments that allow her to interact and directly advocate for youth and families in the community.
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Celso Fuentes
Case Manager
Celso has worked in youth development for ten years and has spent the last ten years working towards uplifting his community. This journey has taught him, “What’s possible”?” not, “What’s’wrong?”. Celso had worked alongside many instrumental people who believed in him when he didn’t believe in himself. With that spark, he has been fortunate to work alongside at-promise youth, workforce development, students with disabilities, and substance use prevention. He obtained his B.S. from the California State University of Fullerton in Human Services. In his free time, he enjoys spending hours at the gym, eating at In-N-Out, and hanging out with family and friends.
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Daniel Hongo
Case Manager
Daniel joined Project Hope Alliance in the spring of 2022 as a Case Manager. Daniel graduated from the California State University of Fullerton, where he studied psychology. Prior to Project Hope Alliance, he was a Mental Health Unit Assistant at CHOC Children’s Hospital and a Behavior Interventionist, working with children with an autism spectrum disorder. He has worked collaboratively with parents and colleagues to reduce the likelihood of harmful behaviors in children that pose dangers to themselves and/or others and reinforce safe and productive behaviors. Daniel loves to work with the youth in ways that empower them to overcome any challenges and succeed.
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Michael Puente
Case Manager
Catherine Balderrama
Case Manager
Catherine joined Project Hope Alliance (PHA) in the Summer of 2022 as a Case Manager. She graduated from San Diego State University with a Child and Family Development major. She is currently attending the Boston University graduate program and working towards a Master’s degree in Social Work. Before PHA, Catherine was a Social Worker at a Skilled Nursing Facility as an advocate and resource to the elder population. Catherine is excited to be able to show our youth the possibilities there are to succeed, aspire, and grow. With the support from the PHA team, Catherine has the opportunity to give families and youth hope for a better tomorrow.
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Katherine Montiel
Case Manager
Katherine joined Project Hope Alliance in the fall of 2022. She attended California State University, Fullerton and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Prior to PHA, Katherine worked as a Behavior Interventionist, working with children and young adults on the spectrum. Katherine enjoys working with youth and providing them with different resources to ensure their success.
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John Eumurian
Foundation Relations Manager
John Eumurian joined Project Hope Alliance (PHA) as Foundation Relations Manager. John is an experienced grant writer with 19 years as both a proposal writer for the for-profit sector and a grant writer for the nonprofit sector, understanding the financial workings of both the corporate and nonprofit arenas. He brings local connections and research expertise to the position and highly professional grant writing, research, and report writing experience. He has provided services in Orange County, Los Angeles, CA, and international clients in Croatia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Today, he oversees all aspects of foundational fund development. He is tasked with increasing PHA’s family of foundation funders and building a robust foundational system to support the program and overall organizational growth.
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Chris Farwell
Individual Giving Officer
Graduating from Mount Saint Mary’s College with a Teaching Credential and rich volunteer experience at Saint Joseph’s Center in Venice, California, Chris dedicated ten years to teaching elementary school in parochial and public settings. Taking a professional pause to raise three children broadened her skills and experience through volunteer leadership and community involvement. Before working with Project Hope Alliance, Chris worked as an advocate and fundraiser for children facing cancer. As the Individual Gifts Officer at Project Hope Alliance, Chris will continue her advocacy for children in need with the intention of disrupting generational homelessness. She welcomes you to join in the mission and vision to end homelessness, one child at a time.
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Annie Weir, J.D
Grants & Development Coordinator
Annie joined Project Hope Alliance in 2014 as the Director of Operations. She left in 2019 to raise her growing family and consult for other nonprofits’ strategic plans. She returned to PHA in February 2022 to support the grant writing and development team. Prior to joining Project Hope Alliance, Annie worked as a lawyer. Annie was excited to return to PHA because she wholeheartedly believed in the mission and was thrilled to pick up where she left off, making a difference for students experiencing homelessness.
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Kathy Keife
Manager of Finance & Administration
Kathy joined Project Hope Alliance (PHA) in July 2021. Kathy has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of the accounting process. Prior to joining PHA, she was an Accounting Manager for the OC Fair & Event Center. She is accomplished in all aspects of bookkeeping and business. Outside work, Kathy is a proud mom to three sons and nine grandchildren! In addition, Kathy is involved in her community as a Red Cross volunteer and trained as a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) with the fire department. Kathy says: “I feel truly blessed to have a position with a company that shares my beliefs and with such a wonderful purpose!”
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Allen Burnett
Community Engagement & Social Media Coordinator
Allen Burnett joined the development team at PHA in the fall of 2022. He is a graduate of U.C. Santa Cruz and holds an M.A. in Theology from Vanguard University. Allen has always loved working with kids and has previously owned and operated childcare facilities that served working families at the poverty line. Before coming on board at PHA, he served as a youth minister at Second Baptist Church of Santa Ana, where he still attends with his wife and daughters and continues to volunteer. Allen is honored to be a member of #teamkid and stands ready to do whatever it takes to end the cycle of homelessness one child at a time and building a stronger community for all.
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Erika Rios
Development Coordinator
Erika joined Project Hope Alliance as a Development Coordinator in the Fall of 2022. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from California State University, Fullerton. Before PHA, Erika worked in social media management and digital marketing in the mobile gaming industry. With a passion for volunteering and marketing, she turned her focus to nonprofit work. As a member of the Development Team, she is excited to work alongside the entire PHA team on a mission to end the cycle of homelessness, one child at a time!
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Madelyn Runice
AmeriCorps Fellow
Madelyn joined Project Hope Alliance as an AmeriCorps VIP Fellow in the Fall of 2022. Prior to PHA, Madelyn volunteered with her local church’s Children’s Ministry, served impoverished communities on Mission trips, and coordinated various social events at Pacific Coast Learning Center. She comes from a family of teachers and is passionate about equal educational opportunity. In the future, Madelyn strives to pursue a B.A. in English at Wheaton College in Illinois.
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LYNN HEMANS, Board Chair Vice President, Consumer Intelligence & Strategy
The Hershey Company
WILLIE L. BANKS, JR., PH.D., Director Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, University of California, Irvine
SEAN BOULTON, Director Principal, Newport Harbor High School
DAWN BOUNDS, Assistant Professor, Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, UCI
PETE DEUTSCHMAN, Treasurer and Secretary President, The Buddy Group
JOSH FRIEND, Director CEO, Insellerate
JOE LEWIS, III, Vice President University of California, Irvine
APRIL NEGRETE, Director HR Technology Consultant, USI Insurance Services
ERIC RANS, Director Partner, Michelman & Robinson LLP
RAY WESTON, Director Vice President & General Counsel, Taco Bell
FINANCIALS
This past year, you brought hope to more children than ever before.
See for yourself.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we’re independently audited each year. You can download our financial documents below.
