Thank you everyone who supported and attended HPP’s first Our House gala in 3 years! It was an incredible evening filled with light, both literal and figurative, as guests welcomed a new era of the agency. Electronic music artist, The Genie, gave a special live performance and inspired HPP’s crystal mirror transformation, and DJ Carlos ensured the dance floor was buzzing all night.

Of course, the event’s program was the gleaming heart of the night. After thanking Levi Strauss & Co. for its corporate partnership over the years, Shelley Eskridge took the stage to share how HPP changed her life many decades ago. Not only did HPP help her with housing and home goods, but her case manager inspired her return to school. Shelley dedicated her career to helping families in need, always sure to instill the importance of community to her children. And it worked: Shelley’s daughter became a social worker and dedicated her career to a similar ethos of service.

Shelley really brought the packed house down when she announced that she was proud to introduce her daughter to the crowd as the next Executive Director of HPP, Shellena Eskridge.

After honoring Martha Ryan, HPP’s Founder and former Executive Director and sharing her vision for the agency’s next chapter, Shellena said, “If you take anything from tonight, I want you to know that HPP is absolutely a place that breaks the cycle of family poverty and homelessness as I am a living testament of that.”

Thank you for helping us to welcome Shellena Eskridge into her new role, for making the night such an incredible success and for always holding our families in your light!