WeHOPE Founder Pastor Paul Bains Receives San Francisco Foundation Leadership Award for Outstanding Community Contributions
East Palo Alto, CA (Sept. 27, 2023) - Pastor Paul Bains has been awarded the prestigious San Francisco Foundation (SFF) Community Leadership Award for his outstanding contributions to the Bay Area community. The SFF Award is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the city through their work in the arts, community activism, or other areas.
Bains is the co-founder and president of WeHOPE, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter, food, and mobile hygiene services to those experiencing homelessness in the Bay Area. Under Bains' leadership, the organization has grown to serve 6,000 people annually in five counties and 22 cities.
"We are beyond proud to witness this achievement for [Pastor] Paul," said Cheryl Bains, co-founder of WeHOPE. "Paul's dedication, drive, and generosity have been a quiet storm that I've witnessed pick up momentum and speed over the years. I am elated to see him receive this award and refreshed and challenged by his commitment to keep going.”
Bains will receive an award along with three others at a special ceremony on September 28th at Terra SF. The other recipients are Corrina Gould, Hamdiya Cooks-Abdullah, and Anne Price. The ceremony will be attended by community leaders, elected officials, and representatives from the arts and nonprofit sectors.
See the official award announcement by the SFF here and the expose-style article on Pastor Paul Bains here.
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About WeHOPE:
WeHOPE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the unhoused in the Bay Area become healthy, employed, and housed. We provide various services, including emergency shelter, mobile hygiene, job training, life skills training, RV Safe Parking, comprehensive case management, foodbank, and housing assistance. Our mission is to empower individuals in need with resources and solutions to help them achieve stability and independence. To learn more about WeHOPE and our programs, visit wehope.org.
About Pastor Paul Bains:
Pastor Paul Bains is a community leader, acclaimed speaker, and the founder of WeHOPE and United Hope Builders. He has been working with his community for over two decades to make it a better place for marginalized individuals and families. Since 1999, he has been leading the congregation of Saint Samuel Church in East Palo Alto. He serves on the board or advisory board of many Bay Area non-profit organizations, including LISC Housing Development Corp, Eden Housing Development, Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto Community Foundation, City Team, LifeMoves, and Able Works. Apart from his work, Pastor Paul Bains enjoys Golden State Warriors games, reading, family-friendly activities, traveling with his wife, Cheryl, and spending time with their three adult children, and granddaughter.
