After 36 Years Apart Bay Area Senior Reunites with Family in Philippines Through WeHOPE's Outreach

Mr. JM prepares for his flight to the Philippines.

In Milpitas, California, a story of hope and reunion unfolded this January. After more than a decade of living on the streets, a senior resident known as Mr. JM boarded a flight to the Philippines, marking the end of his homelessness and the beginning of a new chapter with his sister, whom he hadn't seen since 1987.

The journey began in July 2024, when WeHOPE's Milpitas outreach team first encountered Mr. JM at the Ames encampment. Despite facing health challenges and multiple encampment abatements, Mr. JM remained a positive presence in his community. Through persistent outreach efforts and collaboration with Hope for the Unhoused, the team helped establish contact with his sister and navigate the complex process of international travel documentation.

After receiving medical clearance and necessary travel documents, Mr. JM departed with tearful gratitude, embarking on a 15-hour flight that would bridge a 36-year separation from his family.

WeHOPE is honored to have played a part in this life-changing reunion. Stories like Mr. JM's remind us why our mission is so vital and demonstrate the transformative impact that dedicated outreach and community support can have on individual lives.

Story shared by Karna Jones, Outreach Case Manager

WeHOPE's Outreach Case Manager team serves as the front-line connection between individuals experiencing homelessness and vital services. Operating across multiple Bay Area communities, these dedicated professionals provide essential supplies, coordinate medical care, facilitate housing opportunities, and perhaps most importantly, build the trust necessary to help clients transition out of homelessness. Through persistent engagement, they work to create pathways to stable housing while ensuring immediate needs are met with dignity and respect.