Hamilton Families Partner Impact Review - May 2026

Merilee McDougal

Events & Community Partnerships Manager

Partners & Potential Partners, 

When I first met Alyssa* last year, she and her five children had just arrived at our emergency shelter. The family was clustered together—the kids uncertain, and Alyssa looked utterly exasperated.

What a difference a stable home makes.

At our Mother’s Day celebration last month, Alyssa completely captured the room. Decked out in a stunning velvet dress and matching patent leather heels, she told us:

"I brought this dress with me from home—I wasn’t sure I would have somewhere to wear it again.

Her transformation from just six months ago was breathtaking—a beautiful reminder of what becomes possible with stable housing. The dress wasn't just fashion; it reflected the dignity, future plans, and stability she is hard at work building for her family.

Thank you for providing the foundation of support that makes these transformations possible.

*Name changed for privacy

Help us enable more transformations this month!

Reply to this email OR schedule a call here to join in.  Some examples of ways to plug in:

  • Clothing Volunteers – June 10: Helpers needed to set up a clothing distribution on June 10th, flexible timing within 11am-4pm

  • Summer Fun Volunteers & Sponsors: Bring a team to support the kids on a "Summer Fun Day".  Or sponsor lunch during the outing.

    • June 24: Park Day (Outdoor games!)

    • July 24: Boating day at GG Park

    • July 31: Waterpark fun (9am-4pm)

    • August 5: Bike Day in GG park

    • August 7: Panhandle Park Day (Bouncy houses and more!)

  • Backpack Drive: Pack a backpack, give a student confidence - this is a great opportunity to shop & pack a backpack with your own child(ren)!  

See our May partner highlights below! 

THANK YOU for stepping up to be the foundation that enables transformations

  • Congregation Emanu-El Flowers & Futures panel on family homelessness and Mother’s Day flower bouquet making & cute gift bag making

  • Burke’s School collecting supplies & creating thoughtful Mother’s Day Self-care kits

  • Ropes & Gray for creating self-care kits for the moms in our Housing Services program

  • MJ donating flowers for our Mother’s Day celebration

  • Mother + Daughter centerpiece making for Mother’s Day

  • Farming Hope serving up a fabulous Mother’s Day dinner

  • Albourne volunteering to help entertain the kids who stayed home so the moms could enjoy a night out

  • Adyen sponsoring decorations and a pizza party for the kids who stayed home

  • Mission Committee members Ali Rae and Austen & friends holding babies so the moms can enjoy their evening

  • SF Giants for donating tickets, allowing us to share more about HF at the Community Clubhouse AND advertising Spring Campaign on the big screen!

  • Mission Committee members EJ & Andrew repping HF at the Giants Game

  • Twilio Summer Interns packing birthday party kits for families in our Housing Services programs

  • Chime painting the scuffed doors at Transitional housing

  • Laura M donating new towels to our transitional housing

  • Tonya & Julie gathering, sorting & transporting clothing and toiletries for our families

How CAN YOU join the mission to end family homelessness? 

  • Connect us to grants opportunities your organization offers

  • Organize a drive – e.g. tennis shoes, hoodies

  • Volunteer at an upcoming event

  • Host a ‘fun Friday’ for kids in our programs this summer - field day, picnic outing

Ready to turn your team’s ideas into impact? Schedule a brainstorm call on my calendar here.

In Gratitude,

Merilee McDougal, Events & Community Partnerships Manager

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