Paying Hope Forward, Guadalupano, Jose Hugo

“I came to GHP at the perfect time… they say its coincidence, but I think it was meant to be.”

Jose traveled to the US from Mexico in 2005. Soon after arriving he established his own business, a small garment factory. After being shut down, Jose traveled across the US for 3 months looking for new opportunities. Living a while in New York and then Connecticut, he returned to Los Angeles with nothing but clothes and a few blankets. After a few long difficult months, Jose found himself at the Guadalupe Homeless Project (GHP).

“When I arrived at GHP I had lost all sense of faith or hope. As I walked in for dinner I thought ‘how embarrassing to be asking for food,’ but my need was larger than my pride. I realized I needed to take advantage of this opportunity; I received shelter, food, a shower, and support. As comfortable as GHP was I didn’t want to stay forever, I didn’t want to be homeless forever.” Read More >>

Reflecting on 2009. By: Meg Hannigan, IMPACTO Youth Resource Coordinator

When I began my placement as a Jesuit Volunteer (JV) at IMPACTO last August, I assumed I’d be working at a typical after-school program. But five months and countless multiplication tables later, I’ve experienced firsthand what makes this amazing program so special and unique.

My position gives me the beautiful opportunity to assist both in structurally addressing needs of the students and getting to work alongside and build relationships with them. My mornings are divided between recruiting, training and overseeing volunteers, searching for available resources and working with and learning from the staff to organize enrichments and other student activities. In 2009... Read More >>

Hope for 2010! By: Juanita Guillen, IMPACTO@Underwings Coordinator

Sonia Chavez came to my office in November 2009 with tears in her eyes and a tremendous amount of stress. Mrs. Chavez shared with me that she was going through a really hard time and did not know where to turn. She said that she had heard that IMPACTO and Proyecto had helped families in the past and decided to come see me. She openly shared that her husband had recently lost his job and that it had become a challenge to feed their four children let alone pay for their daughter's medication, who is of special needs. Mrs. Chavez became even more stressed in anticipation of December's holidays and that her circumstance would mean no gifts for her children... Read More>>

The Chavez Family 1 of 15 families that benefited from Proyecto’s first ever “Adopt-A-Family” campaign. Read More >>>