WeHOPE - East Palo Alto, California

Zemírazani V.

SHORT ANSWER: It's a place to stay with some good people, to be generous. Christian based, so the masks come off the longer you stay. However, showers always have hot water. Rehousing/employment well provided, if persued properly & you stay on your caseworkers attention span. Only camping cots that are flimsy, do not stay if you have physical disabilities/muscle & joint issues. — Also, harassment/endangerment towards women/femmes is VERY rampant if you're young/well kept, but the right staff will promptly handle everything for you.
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LONG ANSWER: Tremendous neglect/understaffing in various areas. While the Pastor (owner/founder) afforded a luxury/high-end EV in recent months, various in-shelter supplies and other budgeting had cuts; including in-house hiring processes delayed with shelter specific job program. Even moreso after a staff volunteer, who does much of toiletry restock, had to take maternity leave. Anything that has to do with cleaning or getting personal items from the attic is completely inaccessible until "someone with the keys is on shift". — Some minor renovations are taking place as of Sept/Oct 2024, such as wall holes, faulty/completely broken sinks, etc. But most areas still weren't up to safety/hygiene codes. This is majorly the shared fault of aggressive clients consistently breaking something and fluctuating budget. Toilet paper shortages due to Men's section constant locker hoarding going unregulated. Insect/pest issues despite Orkin service (flies/roaches), but worst incidents include maggots and bedbugs. About 85% of clients have no mandatory hygiene regulation/coaching. Most smell from not showering consistently or soiling themselves. I caught the flu for the first time TWICE in 30 years of life. And a cold I couldnt clear for two weeks because everyone gets sick in clusters. Also, all genders use the main bathrooms, meaning the men absolutely wreck the womens toilet & both showers on any given day. — All caseworkers are alright, but better help if you're 55+/disability/children. And they need WAY more caseworkers. (again if the budgeting was used properly).— Heated arguments/social issues are de-escalated insufficiently most of the time. Staff will resort to generic verbal notices, while in hindsight find the incident humorous or otherwise a non-issue. Even if it's clients who routinely make disturbances, which severely jeapordizes other clients' mental health/sleep (ESPECIALLY on Women's Side). HEAVY in house drama/gossip throughout every week. Serious conservative opinions of questionable moral code freely stated behind staff doors, or simply out loud in the gym. — Great financial/resource backing is needed within the Kitchen Aide/Cook position for Client workers. Client workers must have accessible insurance coverages to match their true work hours, not over-time ethic for part-time pay/resources. Greater implementations of ServSafe/FDA in regards to glove changing, counter/floor cleanliness throughout shift (not just start/end), and not dipping fingers for taste testing (even if washed), as well as consistent and disciplined pantry organization/spill upkeep. Otherwise the food is good, sometimes great, but there's next to nothing for those with sensitivities/allergies.

Lisa R.

I am seeking clarification on the actions "We Hope" intends to take regarding the recent incident in Half Moon Bay, where a security officer at the shelter severely assaulted an elderly man, known to be a long-term resident of the area and struggling with alcoholism. This man is currently in the hospital, in a coma, and on life support. The security officer involved is now incarcerated, raising concerns about the kind of behavior exhibited by those employed at the shelter.

My understanding is that the hiring practices may involve bringing in individuals with criminal backgrounds, often without thorough background checks or screening. I would also like to know what measures are being put in place to assist the current residents of the shelter, many of whom have been waiting for support or a transition into stable housing. The issuance of 90-day termination notices does not seem to be a viable solution.

If your organization genuinely upholds the values you claim, why are the residents experiencing such poor treatment? They have been denied access to facilities to warm their meals, cut off from counseling services provided by your program, and prohibited from meeting in community rooms for Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Following the violent incident involving the elderly man, the residents are living in fear for their safety and have faced threats from the staff themselves.

What is truly happening in Half Moon Bay? I hope you are aware of the situation and will take appropriate action.
i would be more than happy to sit in one of those meetings . the sevices and staff that u say are being offered in half moon bay is simply not true . the man that was beatin up is now dead. what now we hope?

Axel Z.

Horrible experience with the organization I myself am homeless they took us out of Sunnyvale public library only to kick us out of the motel program that was gonna supposed to help us he ended kicking us out of a motel because of false reasons I lost a van I had because of there false promise to help me move it also they are not helping everyone they are acting like they are this is a horrible organization I highly recommend people to not encourage there help and me my girlfriend and step daughter are back on the street because of them and we lost more than we had.

Kuroi R.

This place is evil the food is always rotten the people in the shelter throw up and passed because of COVID masks Ms spice and brother Clive are always rude and yelling at people I see them they also tell people what to wear and John and shasheena always throwing people for nothing and make a report say they made a volitional when none is committed not to mention no is ever checked in or out. I also see staff stealing clothes and money from clients .

Delon R.

I have been here a few weeks. Decent place to sleep at night, for the men anyway, but I still am experiencing the same treatment by others. Whether it is liked or not I am going to do what I need to do because it is my governmental duty. Let's not forget: "Who is your favorite Intelligence Officer?"
Delon S. Roberts is of course hmm!

Mary E.

The Women don't let us Sleep they make a Lot of noise and they Wake us up Very early and there is Only one bathroom for Women because the Woman Who Stay taking Care of us lives there Wanda...

Jennifer J.

What an amazing organization!!! I was able to help serve with my family and I was blown away the respect the staff had for the clients just as much respect was given from the clients to the staff. Pastor Bain’s and Mrs. Alicia Garcia are true gems. Joyce was cooking Kim was working the desk, what a great staff.

Delon R.

I mailed my birth certificate to this place when I lived there. I was told by UPS that it was delivered March 8,2023 and was signed for by someone named Davis. I called and was told my mail never arrived. What type of shelter would steal someone's mail? WeHope!?... I hope, that the evil in that place finds God and stops stealing mail! One star?... actually zero stars.