Dear Friends,

Since shelter-in-place orders came down March 16^th, the management team has been busy implementing a new remote learning program called From Hope to Home ™.  More than 84% of our clients are enrolled and participating in this new program since the beginning of July.

When in-person therapy, programming, and services had to cease, we made the necessary pivot to offering many of our programs and services – such as our Mental Health and Homestart early intervention programs – to a virtual platform via remote technology, through a service delivery system developed completely in-house, and approved by the Regional Center. We have continued providing programs and services virtually to as many of our clients as possible, to the maximum extent possible, via remote technology and weekly mailed activity kits. In addition, Hope has responded to our clients’ and their families’ urgent needs for groceries, paper goods, diapers, medication deliveries, and even direct financial support (the last of these through a grant-funded partnership with Destination: Home), with a caring essential staff that has done us proud, while we were redesigning the delivery system for our traditional cadre of programs and services.

As we look ahead, the challenge of reopening seems almost insurmountable, this challenge to get from lockdown to full opening. In between, there are many additional expenses to comply with the CDC, state and county requirements. Our grant writers have been busy applying for funding of these additional costs and have secured some funding. The loss of approximately 12%-17% of our clients who do not want to participate in the From Hope to Home ™ program means a loss of revenue for the agency. The management team has been aggressive in cutting unnecessary expenses.

To make up for this loss revenue, we are looking differently at the populations we serve, our services and service delivery – this is a must for managing through the pandemic crisis. Unfortunately, some of our peer service providers have announced their pending closures. We are in discussions with them to take on their clients. This will help some. We need to diversify our revenue sources. We are looking at opening additional virtual programs in San Mateo County for dual-diagnosed clients, who have mental health conditions. In addition, we have opportunities to extend remote programs to other isolated populations such as the elderly. Through our virtual services (From Hope to Home ™), we are not bound only to our current clients, nor limited by our current geographic boundaries. We are putting together a detailed operating plan with cash flow projections, as more information is given to us about how we will be reimbursed for our virtual services.

Our three HopeTHRIFT retail stores are back open and gradually getting back to the sales level they were making prior to the March mandated-closure. During shelter-in-place, many of our long-time donors have cleaned out their closets and garages and donated collectibles. Please come down and check out these new-found treasures.

Our other social enterprise is Green Street Books. We are in partnership with the founder to determine if we want to acquire after the current pilot program is completed at the end of December. Green Street Books has a 97% positive rating on Amazon. Visit Green Street Books at http://greenstreetbooks.org/.

Our 2^nd annual In Concert with Hope has pivoted to a virtual event featuring a pre-recorded concert by GRAMMY-award nominees jazz saxophonist Mindi Abair and jazz pianist/producer/arranger Shelly Berg. We have raised nearly $500,000 so far. We would appreciate your support of our largest fundraiser on October 3^rd at 5:30 pm. The $20 ticket gives you virtual access from the best seat in the house – the comfort and safety of your own home – to these stellar performers and the premiere of our new video highlighting the heroic efforts of Hope’s essential staff during this global health crisis. Visit the Hope Services website to purchase your ticket.

I hope you and your families are well and staying safe.

With much appreciation,

Charles “Chip” Huggins, JD
President/CEO