A Portfolio Walkthrough
Reflections from the Guided Tour of HCEB’s Impact: A Day of Connection, Community, and Community Impact
There is nothing quite like seeing the impact of our mission up close. This past Friday, our employees and Board Members came together for a special, full-day property tour. It was a day filled with inspiring stories, deep connections, and a powerful reminder of why we do the work we do.
The morning kicked off at 9:00 AM as everyone gathered at the office. Before hitting the road, we surprised our team and board members with matching T-shirts and a few small tokens of appreciation to set a spirit of unity for the day. After a warm welcome from Carolina, we all boarded the bus, excited for the journey ahead.
1st Stop:
Deepening Our Roots at 1888 MLK
📍 OAKLAND INTERIM HOUSING PROGRAM
Our first destination was the MLK property. Here, we had the privilege of hearing from our Lead Service Coordinator, who walked us through the vital client intake process—the crucial first step in how we welcome individuals into our community.
Marichelle also shared moving insights about her firsthand experience working side-by-side with both our clients and our dedicated staff.
We were given a thoughtful tour of the building, including a look at how the client rooms are laid out to foster comfort and independence. The highlight of this stop? Heading up to the rooftop to take in the view and look out over the community we are so proud to serve.
2nd Stop:
Stories of Growth at Brookfield Senior Gardens
📍 OAKLAND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR SENIORS
Next, we headed to Senior Garden, where the Property Manager gave us an inside look at the daily operations and shared what it truly means to lead such a vibrant community.
We were incredibly moved by Patrick, a former client who has come full circle and is now a valued member of our employee team. Patrick walked us through the property and shared his personal journey, embodying the very heart of our mission. We also got to visit Benji in his room; he graciously showed us how he’s made the space his own and spoke beautifully about his experience living at Senior Garden. To wrap up the visit, Aaron led us on a walking tour to view the property's stunning murals, sharing the history of the artists and the intentional, uplifting meanings behind the artwork.
3rd Stop:
Warm Welcomes at Magnolia Terrace
📍 EMERYVILLE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Our third stop brought us to Magnolia Terrace, where a resident named Alex opened his doors to us. Alex proudly showed us around his beautifully organized apartment and shared just how much it means to him to have a safe, stable place to call home. Seeing his joy and gratitude was a moment none of us will soon forget
4th Stop:
Green Spaces and Grace at Jack Capon Villa
📍 ALAMEDA PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Our final property stop was Jack Capon. Crystal, the Service Coordinator, guided us through the beautiful grounds and showed us the community garden. It was wonderful to see firsthand how these green spaces provide a therapeutic, hands-on environment where residents can work, grow, and thrive together.
Grateful Hearts and Looking Forward
After a full day on the move, we gathered to share a wonderful lunch. It was a fantastic opportunity for staff and Board Members to sit down together, debrief, and reflect on the incredible moments and stories we had encountered throughout the day.
As we returned to the office, Darin expressed his deepest gratitude to everyone who participated. We want to extend a massive, heartfelt thank you to the entire Property Management Team. Your meticulous planning and organization made this wonderful day possible.
Thank you to our residents for opening their homes, our staff for sharing their passion, and our board for their unwavering support. Together, we continue to build a place where everyone belongs.
Did you attend the tour or have a favorite memory from Friday? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!