Paige Meek

2025 HIF Summit

Unite. Celebrate. Make an Impact. Join us on Thursday, September 4, 2025, for a night of fundraising, presentations, awards, and networking to support our signature homelessness prevention programs.

Nora and Betty’s Story

In late August 2024, Nora, a devoted mother, received the heartbreaking news that she had cancer. As she began her treatment and applied for disability benefits, the financial strain on her family grew. Unfortunately, the approval process for disability has been slow, leaving her daughter, Betty, to shoulder the entire financial burden. With mounting bills and rent payments falling behind, their family faced the very real possibility of eviction.

Julianne’s Story

Julianne is a dedicated middle school English teacher who was born and raised in San Jose. Passionate about teaching in the community she loves, she faced a significant challenge: the high cost of living in the area. With the majority of her income going towards rent, she struggled to afford groceries and teaching expenses. Faced with the possibility of moving to Bend Oregon with her parents to save money, Julianne would have had to leave both her home and her students behind. Fortunately, her colleague referred her to HIF’s Affordable Housing Initiative.

TURN Behavioral

HIF and Corporate Champion ESSEX Property Trust completed a renovation project at TURN Behavioral, a nonprofit organization that provides crucial mental health support, substance abuse counseling, and transitional housing for individuals at risk of homelessness. The facility, like many transitional shelters, has endured significant wear and tear and we've made tremendous progress in improving this space.

HomeFirst

HomeFirst is a nonprofit organization working passionately to end homelessness. They are the largest shelter in Santa Clara county and the Boccardo Center shelters up to 250 individuals a night. They serve the Bay Area community through low-barrier programming (prevention, outreach, shelters, and interim and permanent housing programs) and systems leadership.

Sammie’s Story

After being unhoused for 25 years, Sammie secured housing through the Office of Supportive Housing in the summer of 2022 and set up automatic rent payments for convenience. For a year, everything went smoothly. In the summer of 2023, Sammie faced mental health challenges, leading to isolation and difficulties in maintaining housing. Sammie later discovered his rent payments had stopped and he owed over $1,500 in past-due rent.

Tim and LeeAnn’s Story

Tim and LeeAnn applied for AHI at the beginning of 2024 and successfully moved into their apartment in July of the same year. At the time, Tim was working as a special education teacher and faced challenges after his partner lost her job. The family struggled to manage rent, daily expenses, and the additional costs of maintaining Tim's teaching credentials and licenses, all of which created a substantial financial burden. AHI provided an ability to stay local and continue serving the community, while also allowing the family to focus on financial stability and career growth.

Juan’s Story

Juan’s life took an unexpected turn last year when he suffered a heart attack. The road to recovery was challenging, as he faced mounting medical bills while waiting for his disability insurance to be approved. Despite his determination to return to work, both his doctor and employer advised against it due to his ongoing health concerns. Eventually, his employer had to make the difficult decision to let him go. Juan’s financial situation became dire.

Ride Home

Riders and walkers from around the Bay Area join together at Hellyer County Park each year for HIF’s Ride Home fundraiser. Riders breeze through 15 and 30 mile courses along the beautiful Coyote Creek Trail. Cheering volunteers encourage cyclists onward while keeping them hydrated.

Barbie Csore

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Joined 2022
Barbie has over 13 years of operations and HR management experience, and a Masters in Business Administration. Barbie has worked for multiple medical device companies and property management companies before transitioning into nonprofit work.

Christina Blackketter

SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER
Joined 2023
Christina started at HIF in April 2023 and now manages both the Renovation Program and the Affordable Housing Initiative program, which includes assessing and reviewing applications, collaboration with donors and partners, rent collection, data collection, and community outreach.

Jennifer Jansen MacDermott

HOUSING PROGRAM MANAGER
Joined 2023
With over 30 years of experience in program and project management, Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to her role. Since joining HIF, Jennifer has actively engaged in agency outreach, strengthening relationships with partner organizations.

Brandi Wilson

OPERATIONS MANAGER
Joined 2024
Brandi joined HIF in July 2024 as the Operations Manager. New to the nonprofit sector, Brandi brings over a decade of diverse experience in office and financial management, gained through her work in healthcare, collision repair, and construction—all in small business settings.

Support During A Challenging Time

Voltaire experienced significant financial challenges due to job loss, a rent increase, and the rising cost of living, making it difficult for him to meet his basic needs. Through a referral from Alta Housing, he was able to receive a grant from HIF, which served as a vital lifeline. This support provided him with the financial relief and breathing room he needed to focus on finding full-time employment and regaining stability.

Michelle’s Journey

Michelle first applied for AHI in April 2024, and was moved into her new apartment in June 2024. Michelle works for a non-profit in San Mateo County and was struggling with the increasing costs of the Bay Area. "The AHI program provided invaluable support and resources, enabling me to focus on my health and recovery while continuing to serve my community. AHI's assistance has been instrumental in helping me regain financial stability. My passion for serving the community is driven by my lived experience, and I find deep fulfillment in helping others navigate the system to achieve stability."

Mayra & Gustavo’s Story

Mayra and Gustavo recently faced financial difficulties and struggled to cover their rent. Mayra had been off work for a couple of months following the birth of their son. Additionally, their roommate, who had contributed to the rent, unexpectedly moved out and Gustavo’s landscaping job did not provide sufficient income. HIF’s partner agency, St. Vincent de Paul, referred them to HIF for emergency rental assistance.

For over 20 years ProFloors has been a vital part of our Renovation Program, providing over $100,000 of in-kind donated services and materials. They have also supported our events and are currently a key part of our Trades Cohort for our Major Gifts Campaign, making a three year pledge to help achieve our fundraising goals. Their commitment to our mission and serving our communities through the highest quality service and outcomes for shelters and agencies has helped to make our Renovation Program unique within the nonprofit sector in the Bay Area.