Greetings Friends, Clients & Colleagues,
Marile and I hope our #ThankfulThursday reflection finds you and yours well.
I remember it like yesterday, though it was 31 years ago. A group of community and business leaders, public servants, and philanthropists—including this humble servant—traveled to Washington D.C.
Our mission: to advocate for our most vulnerable neighbors—the homeless men, women, and children who found themselves in circumstances beyond their control. I witnessed firsthand as Alva Chapman, Mayor Alex Penelas, Sergio Gonzalez, and others delivered a clear message of hope to HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros.
Three decades later, Chapman Partnership is the model that many cities emulate in transforming how homelessness is addressed.
Founded in 1995, Chapman Partnership provides all the necessary resources motivated residents need to become self-sufficient. Helping over 145,000 individuals break the cycle of homelessness. Through safe shelter and workforce development, she is now a certified medical assistant with her own apartment—a future built on dignity and hope, thanks to the support of our community.
Last Saturday’s Illuminations Gala was a celebration of this work and a reminder that much is still to be done. Marile and I were honored to once again join our friends, Trish and Dan Bell, whose tireless commitment to Chapman Partnership is an example to us all.
As past Gala Chairs (2017 & 2018) and former board members, we are called to continue the great work of Alva & Betty. Every contribution fuels the journey toward hope and self-sufficiency. As Alvah Chapman declared:
“Great success has been attained thus far,
God’s been kind to us and prayers have been answered,
but this job isn’t done yet”.
Join us today in building the future for the next 145,000 residents. Your donation provides safe shelter, hot meals, career development, and housing support—empowering lives every day.
Warmest personal regards,
Marile & Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq.
Illuminations Gala 2017 & 2018 Gala Chairs