In the heart of Berkeley, just a few blocks from where new skylines are taking shape, stands a six-story testament to community resilience: the Hope Center. Opened in September 2022, the facility serves as a critical hub for veterans’ housing, transitional shelter, and permanent supportive housing. It is also the site of a burgeoning partnership between Webcor’s Black Employee Resource Group, The Collective, and Insight Housing.
For Webcor Prequalification Analyst Chanelle Jones, who helped facilitate the connection, the motivation to engage with the unhoused and vulnerable is a legacy passed down through family. Chanelle's mother, Judith Jones, spent years working with Bay Area nonprofits, introducing Chanelle to community service early on.
A Connection Rooted in Community
The bridge between Webcor and Insight Housing was built through direct, personal engagement. Chanelle first connected with the organization through Andre Green, the head chef at the Berkeley site, and later with Colette Lyman, Insight Housing’s philanthropy manager. "Over the holiday season, she and I built a strong working relationship that has already opened the door to continued partnership," Chanelle notes.
The scale of the operation at the Hope Center is significant. The kitchen serves hot meals Monday through Friday to both residents and the public. "Their kitchen serves nearly 160,000 meals each year," Chanelle says, highlighting the sheer volume of support required to sustain the program.
In the heart of Berkeley, just a few blocks from where new skylines are taking shape, stands a six-story testament to community resilience: the Hope Center. Opened in September 2022, the facility serves as a critical hub for veterans’ housing, transitional shelter, and permanent supportive housing. It is also the site of a burgeoning partnership between Webcor’s Black Employee Resource Group, The Collective, and Insight Housing.
For Webcor Prequalification Analyst Chanelle Jones, who helped facilitate the connection, the motivation to engage with the unhoused and vulnerable is a legacy passed down through family. Chanelle's mother, Judith Jones, spent years working with Bay Area nonprofits, introducing Chanelle to community service early on.
A Connection Rooted in Community
The bridge between Webcor and Insight Housing was built through direct, personal engagement. Chanelle first connected with the organization through Andre Green, the head chef at the Berkeley site, and later with Colette Lyman, Insight Housing’s philanthropy manager. "Over the holiday season, she and I built a strong working relationship that has already opened the door to continued partnership," Chanelle notes.
The scale of the operation at the Hope Center is significant. The kitchen serves hot meals Monday through Friday to both residents and the public. "Their kitchen serves nearly 160,000 meals each year," Chanelle says, highlighting the sheer volume of support required to sustain the program.
