PEEK INSIDE THE WONDERFUL TESTIMONIES OF OUR RESIDENTS AND TENANTS
Every key we hand over represents a new chapter of independence and a life transformed. Behind every door at HCEB is a story of resilience, belonging, and the power of having a place to call home. This page is dedicated to our residents and clients, sharing their personal journeys toward housing stability in their own words. Their successes are the heartbeat of our mission and the reason we advocate for inclusive housing every single day.
Creesha Sheppard
“
Now that Ive found a home, I've found myself again.
Meet Creesha
Once without a home and living with bipolar manic depression , she never stopped dreaming. Through strength, music, and love, she found her voice — as a rapper, a singer, and a proud mother.
Today, she has a place to call home thank you to HCEB and all her supporters now she has the freedom to create, to laugh, to live. Her story reminds us that no matter how dark life gets, there’s always a way back to the light. ✨
🎤 “Having my own space means everything. I can make music, cook for my family, and feel peace again.”
We are honored to share her story — one of courage, resilience, and the power of never giving up. ♥️
Learn more about our wonderful tenants in our social media.
Patrick Payopao
“
In 5 years I see myself being a boss!!
Meet Patrick
A day in Patrick’s life used to begin in a tent, waking up before the sun, not knowing what the day would bring. Carrying everything he owned. Facing long hours with uncertainty, yet still holding onto hope—hope that one day, life would look different.
Those days weren’t easy. They required strength, resilience, and a kind of courage that often goes unseen.
Today, Patrick’s story has taken a powerful turn. He is now one of the newest members of the HCEB team—and one of the most loved. His kindness, positivity, and determination shine through in everything he does. The same strength that carried him through his hardest days is what makes him so special to all of us today. ✨
Patrick’s journey is more than a story of hardship—it’s a story of perseverance, growth, and possibility. A reminder that even in the toughest moments, something better can still be ahead.
Learn more about our wonderful tenants in our social media.
Ahmed Al Kubaisi
“
I saved my life when I left Iraq.
My life is here now.
Meet Ahmed
Ahmed’s life used to be defined by a sudden, life-changing moment in the streets of Fallujah, surviving a stray bullet at just 15 years old. Facing years of intense physical challenges, navigating complex medical journeys far from home, and adjusting to an entirely new culture. Holding onto hope through countless hospital stays—hope that one day, he would find a place of stability and healing.
Those days weren’t easy. They required immense strength, deep resilience, and a kind of quiet courage that carried him across continents to the Bay Area.
Ahmed’s journey is more than a story of hardship transforming his experiences into a source of connection—it’s a story of perseverance, growth, and possibility. A reminder that even after the toughest moments, a supportive community and a brighter chapter can still be ahead. ✨
Learn more about Ahmed’s incredible journey from Iraq to America
Listen to Ahmed’s interview by Hana Baba, the host of Crosscurrents at KALW 91.7 FM Bay Area
Watch this short film by Luisa Conlon, Hanna Miller, and Lacy Jane Roberts about Ahmed’s Journey for The Atlantic
THE VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY ✦
THE VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY ✦