Supporting Palo Alto’s Project WeHOPE, Getting People Back on the Road to Self-Sufficiency

Through our Bay Area Community Fund, we stand behind organizations like Project WeHope, and the leaders who make them work. Our vision for making the Bay Area a more inclusive, equitable place starts with local leaders who share that vision, serving their communities.

“‘WeHOPE’ stands for ‘we help other people excel.’ I’ve lived in or around the community of East Palo Alto since 1961, and I’ve seen this community go through its ups and downs. At Project WeHOPE, we believe that ‘none of us is as strong as all of us’ and that it takes a multi-pronged approach to meet people’s needs.  East Palo Alto is filled with so many gifted and resilient people, and we want to give them a platform to utilize their skills and talents, give them a voice at the table. We work across cultures and ethnicities. We meet people where they are in life, no matter how challenging the situation. We help people get back on the road to self-sufficiency.” — Pastor Paul Bains

While San Mateo and Santa Clara counties face a growing affordable housing crisis, Pastor Paul Bains leads Project WeHOPE, the only homeless shelter in East Palo Alto. At the shelter, Pastor Bains helps people who are struggling with homelessness find a safe place to sleep and care for their basic needs like eating a meal, doing their laundry, and caring for their personal hygiene. Project WeHope also offers classes and training to help get people back on their feet financially and find work. They currently serve over 400 guests per year through the shelter, and are looking to expand their services with our support.

Through our Bay Area Community Fund, we stand behind organizations like Project WeHope, and the leaders who make them work. Our vision for making the Bay Area a more inclusive, equitable place starts with local leaders who share that vision, serving their communities.  Learn more: https://chanzuckerberg.com/newsroom/chan-zuckerberg-initiative-announces-2020-czi-community-fund-recipients/