A $25,000 grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation will support the Hope through Housing Foundation (HTHF) and its onsite programming for low-income residents. The organization operates several affordable apartment communities in the Coachella Valley and Hi Desert, offering supportive home environments to more than 900 people in the local area.
“Hope through Housing’s mission is aimed at breaking the cycle of generational poverty,” said Alyssa Cotter, HTHF Director of Development. “We accomplish this by offering programs that empower individuals and change communities.”
Established in 1998, HTHF delivers quality health and social services to individuals, families, and seniors who earn less than 80 percent of the area median income. The nonprofit offers residents onsite preschools, after-school programming, financial literacy classes, senior health programs, college scholarships and individual guidance.
The grant will help sustain HTHF’s youth development program, Building Bright Futures, at the communities of Desert Meadows in Indio, River Canyon in Cathedral City and Vista Dunes in La Quinta. The programming engages youth to set their sights higher, elevate their own expectations and open their eyes to future possibilities by providing them with valuable hours of direct role modeling, homework assistance and college/career guidance.
The coronavirus pandemic forced the suspension of many of the organization’s onsite assistance and activities, however, using state and local guidance, HTHF is currently providing safe, socially distanced programming with virtual components for both students and their parents. An onsite after-school program operates each school day to help the residents in K-12th grades complete homework and increase college/career readiness. The program also offers children a healthy snack, opportunities for recreation and character development activities.
“Hope through Housing’s services are possibly more important than ever right now, as many valley residents are struggling during the uncertainties of the pandemic,” said Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.
“COVID-19 has caused us to adapt to a new learning environment, but our goals remain the same,” said Cotter. “Receiving the Coachella Valley Spotlight grant will benefit many young people in our Hope communities.”
“These programs are helping shift the trajectory of some of our community’s most at-risk youth, placing them on a solid path toward future self-sufficiency,” said Jerry Upham, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates KESQ News Channel 3 and KPSP CBS Local 2.
Through the Coachella Valley Spotlight partnership with the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and News Channel 3, Hope through Housing Foundation was featured on News Channel 3 programming, in public service announcements and on kesq.com throughout November. For more information about the organization, which has more than 70 affordable apartment communities throughout Southern California and beyond, go to www.hthf.org or call 760-342-1144.