Thank You, Jean Morgan!

We would like to congratulate Jean Morgan on her wonderful career at Abode Services. Jean’s retirement is effective this Wednesday, Jan. 10.

Talk to any Abode Services volunteer and within minutes they each offer their own version of the same opinion: “Jean Morgan is wonderful and warm, and her commitment to helping those in need always keeps me coming back to Abode.”

That refrain has become familiar to those of us at Abode because Jean Morgan isn’t only the agency’s longest-tenured staff member – she’s also among the most beloved.

Jean has held several job titles, helped countless people, and recruited thousands of volunteers over the years at Abode, serving as a beacon of generosity and dedication during her three decades at our nonprofit agency.

“Jean Morgan has been the heart and soul of Abode Services for more than 30 years,” said Louis Chicoine, Abode’s leader during most of Jean’s tenure. “When she retires, I will miss a deeply valued colleague – one who has become a dear friend who contributed so much to so many of our organization’s milestones.”

She started as a volunteer shortly after the organization was founded in 1989 – when it was known as the Tri-City Homeless Coalition and focused on tackling homelessness in Fremont and its surrounding communities.

A few years later, she became a full-time employee and quickly took on an ever-growing list of responsibilities, including managing Abode’s veritable army of volunteers, and serving as a community liaison.

“We were a small grassroots agency back then but we saw a need, there were too many children and families living without a home and sleeping in their cars,” she said. “And we’ve gotten bigger because the needs are great.”

Her decades of tirelessly selfless contributions to our mission landed her on Abode’s team of top officials, garnering the title of Director of Community Outreach. Her efforts inspired then-state Senator Bob Wieckowski to present his office’s African-American Heritage Leadership Award to Jean in 2018.

Other Bay Area community leaders also have noticed Jean’s passion for helping Abode clients and the positive effect it has had on the surrounding community.

“I have truly enjoyed personally working with Jean Morgan over – literally – the decades,” said Fremont Mayor Lily Mei. “She has been such an amazing and dedicated resource for our community.”

Jean said the best part of the job has been getting to know so many Abode participants, formerly homeless adults and children who have been able to transform their lives with our help.

“That’s one of the things I’ll miss the most - seeing the look on a participant’s face at that moment when they get housing again,” she said. “They’re so excited and they say, ‘Oh, Ms. Jean, I got my own place. Seeing them come back and reach out to say hi – that’s been wonderful.”

Jean said the key to building strong relationships within the community stems from using a “personal touch” – remembering each person and treating them well. She has seen volunteers she recruited grow into their roles, increasing their involvement alongside their passion for helping others. Jean has seen volunteers become donors and, in time, even board members.

“People keep coming back,” she said. “Because they see our work and that we are truly committed to helping people.”

Jean’s big-hearted spirit began in childhood, from watching her mother open their home and kitchen to friends and family who needed a meal or a place to stay.

“My mom had stability and that giving heart,” she said.

But Jean learned another lesson from her mother that she put to use in her long Abode tenure.

“Mom always said, ‘Don’t run from things. If you start something, finish it; do it well and do it right,’” Jean said. “I hope I’ve made a difference at Abode. So many residents come back and say ‘We’re so glad you are here. Thank you, Jean.’”

At Abode, we could not say it better ourselves. Thank you, Jean Morgan. For your wonderful spirit and everything you have done to help our mission.