HOPE suspends operations after fire guts nonprofit’s headquarters

Record - 3/1/2017

March 01--STOCKTON -- Glenn Jose spent most of Monday crying and wondering what is next for H.O.P.E., a nonprofit organization he helped create.

A fire ripped through the organization's headquarters just after midnight on Monday.

"Everything I worked for is gone," a still heartbroken Jose said Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Stockton Fire Department, the blaze burned three offices in a U-shaped single-story building at North Hunter and East Poplar streets.

H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People to Expand), which Jose co-founded in 2008, is a nonprofit that includes programs for gang and violence prevention, mentoring, community beautification, as well as assists people in finding employment. The organization's approximately 4,000-square-foot space also provided counseling services and had a food pantry.

Jose said he doesn't know the total estimated cost of the damage, but it is substantial, he added. Chairs, tables, computers, office supplies, and equipment are all damaged by fire, water or smoke.

On Monday, he posted a photo and video of the devastation on social media, drawing disbelief from many people.

Francisco Ornelas of Stockton said he's still in shock.

The 37-year-old connected with H.O.P.E. while recovering from addiction.

Ornelas said he sought the services of the organization to help with his recovery about six years ago, but the agency remains an important part of his life today, and he now serves as a volunteer.

"It was a blessing to have them in my life," he said. "(The staff members have) become friends."

Ornelas learned of the fire Monday morning when he arrived at H.O.P.E. to volunteer and saw the charred remains.

"It brought tears to my eyes," he said. "I was hurt. It's a very overwhelming situation."

Jose is feeling the same disbelief.

"I was shocked because we help the community -- why is this happening?" he said.

H.O.P.E. has had to suspend all of its services for the time being, but Jose said the organization will still see people on an emergency basis.

The agency, which is insured, doesn't yet know what the next step will be or when it will reopen, but Jose is in the process of finding an office space.

He said he's also waiting to hear from the Fire Department on the cause of the blaze.

H.O.P.E. has accomplished a lot in the years since it opened at 920 N. Hunter St.: About 200 people on parole have secured jobs, dozens of youth received aid to either find jobs or enroll in college or the military, and its monthly food giveaway draws about 70 to 100 people, Jose said.

He's currently worried about H.O.P.E.'s summer youth program, which was scheduled to start soon, because most of the equipment, such as safety goggles and vests, are now gone.

Jose said he's working through the process, thinking and evaluating where to go from here, and how H.O.P.E. can rebuild. But he remained adamant about the organization's commitment to bettering the community and is overwhelmed by the community's response so far.

"There's always hope," he said.

Many people have called and sent him messages asking how they can help. On Facebook, dozens of people have offered their assistance and prayers.

For the time being, the plan is to set up an online fundraising campaign, and he said any donations of computers, tables, chairs and office supplies are welcome.

He said: "H.O.P.E. has helped the community for the last few years, and this time H.O.P.E. needs help."

To contact Glenn Jose, email expandhope@aol.com or visit the agency's Facebook page at tinyurl.com/SJHOPE.

-- Contact reporter Almendra Carpizo at (209) 546-8264 or acarpizo@recordnet.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlmendraCarpizo.

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