The Journey Home Continues

Abode welcomed nearly 300 people to its annual Journey Home Breakfast on Friday, February 27, when leaders of the nonprofit organization discussed its current successes and future plans with community supporters.

The 60-minute event – Abode’s largest fundraiser of the year – was held at the Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley. Donations from those in attendance will help Abode continue to serve more than 18,000 individuals each year. Funds raised from this year’s breakast totaled more than $300,000. The yearly fundraiser allows Abode to further its mission of solving homelessness in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties.

Oscar Benitez, member of the Abode Services Board of Directors, served as the event’s emcee. He was joined by elected officials, local leaders, and other community members who shared a meal and learned about the powerful impact that Abode’s work is having on those in need.

An Abode participant, Rakarra, was the featured live speaker. The devoted mother and aspiring educator shared her poignant life story that focused on her resilience and commitment to transforming her life after experiencing homelessness.

The breakfast fundraiser also screened a five-minute video that featured Shawn Uribe, a former Abode participant who is now an Abode employee and a homeowner. He shared his personal story about overcoming challenges with the help of Abode, which helped him gain and keep permanent housing.

Abode CEO Vivian Wan was among the breakfast’s featured speakers, noting that Abode’s efforts reflect hope and positive impacts – even in these dark and chaotic and times.

“There are many reasons to have hope, and not ‘wishful thinking hope, but hope based on history, action, and our track record,” Wan said. “While we might see darkness and despair in our news feed – we also see light – as our impact is growing. We see the changes that we are making in the lives of people and in the health of communities.”

Thanks to the McMurtry Family Foundation, which served as the breakfast’s generous Match Sponsor, all gifts for the program were matched up to $50,000.

Lastly, Abode would like to thank the nearly 40 corporate sponsors who supported this year’s Journey Home Breakfast. They are:  

Welcome Home Champion

  • D&H Construction

Pathway Partners

  • Branagh Construction

  • Destination: Home

  • Fremont Bank

  • IMA Corp.

  • OakBrook

  • Synoptek 

Housewarming Supporters

  • BBI Construction

  • Cahill Contractors

  • CORE Builders

  • Fosters

  • Janice Berthold – Heffernan Insurance Brokers

  • Sleep Tight Pest Control

  • Star One Credit Union

Good Neighbors

  • Alameda Alliance for Health    

  • Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, District 1 

  • Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Marquez, District 2 

  • Bernard, Balgley & Bonaccorsi, LLP

  • BKF Engineers

  • Cargill

  • EBALDC

  • Enterprise Community

  • Hayward-Tri-City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

  • Heritage Bank of Commerce

  • Herman Coliver Locus Architecture

  • HKIT Architects

  • HomeFirst

  • Ideal Restoration

  • Indo-Americans for Better Community

  • The John Stewart Company

  • JPMorgan Chase

  • Kaiser Permanente

  • Lowney Architecture

  • On Lok

  • PYATOK architecture + urban design 

  • Republic Services     

  • Washington Hospital Healthcare System

  • Zanghi Torres Adams LLP