We provide homes for those in need.
Our Mission
Home For A Home is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization driven by the belief that a safe, solid home can be the catalyst to dramatic and positive change in people's lives. Our mission is to provide homes for people in need.
Inspiration - Our Founder
In high school, Home for a Home founder Nick Cooper visited Mexico every spring break with a group of fellow students to build houses for the poor. The experience of seeing such stark poverty and lack of adequate housing left a lasting impression.
After college, Nick found success in his real estate career, but over time felt a lack of purpose and became determined to find a way to create a positive impact through his work efforts.
Inspired by the rise of social enterprise, Nick explored the idea of using real estate as a vehicle to relieve suffering and provide hope in people's lives. With this innovation, the concept of using revenue from real estate transactions to sustainably support home construction for those in need was created.
Dedication - Our Executive Director
Joel Vendette has been a Realtor® for over 11 years, serving the Los Angeles and Coachella Valley areas, and became a Home for a Home member in 2015. Before becoming a Realtor®, Joel earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Boston University. He went on to work as a Graphic Designer and Art Director for various publishers and within the government. The change in careers came from wanting to work with people in a direct and personal way.
Working in real estate and having a personal belief in volunteering and giving back, aligning with Home for a Home as a member was an easy decision. “When I learned of Home for a Home, it felt like a full-circle moment. I saw how I could use my real estate business to provide homes for those in need. Since joining, I have continuously told others about it, and the response has always been enthusiastic. I want more people to be aware of this organization and participate. I believe Home for a Home is special, and I am excited about this opportunity as we continue on its path of giving back and making the world a better place, one home at a time.”
Joel currently lives in Cathedral City, where he enjoys the laid-back atmosphere and ease of life while spending time with his family and dog, taking in all the local area has to offer.
Board of Directors
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President, Board of Directors
Josh Le is an experienced entrepreneurial-minded, people-first leader with a passion for marketing operations and multi-dimensional problem solving. Currently serving as Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer for a new technology start-up, SwiftSight PBC, he is focused on multi-year strategic planning and driving organizational change to meet business objectives while promoting a strong team culture. His versatile business acumen includes experience creating and leading strategic marketing initiatives, human resources systems, finance processes and (re-)branding efforts. Josh, now based in Atlanta, GA, studied business management and marketing at the University of Minnesota and has extensive leadership experience in the marketing and entertainment, nonprofit, professional sports, and technology industries. He is excited to utilize his personal and professional skills to continue serving on the Home or a Home Board of Directors.
Support Josh’s fundraiser here.
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Treasurer, Board of Directors
Bobby is passionate about helping people and is honored to be a part of Home for a Home. Bobby was born and raised in the Southeastern US. He completed his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2013 and started his career with his ‘boots on the ground’ in operations as a Project Manager. A few years after receiving his MBA from Georgia Tech in 2017, Bobby pivoted into finance as a Controller for an engineering firm in Atlanta, GA. While in Atlanta, Bobby served on the board and fundraised for The Make-A-Wish Young Professionals and the Georgia Tech Intown Network. He currently serves as a Director of Sales and Field Services in his hometown of Chattanooga, TN, where he relishes spending time with his wife (Grace) and daughter (Piper).
Support Bobby’s fundraiser here.
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Secretary, Board of Directors
Originally born in Germany, Victoria Schultz is fluent in both German and English and has had the privilege of living in several different countries (Germany, England, Luxembourg and currently, the US). Splitting her time in the US and Europe has fueled Victoria's passion for people, which has guided her in both her personal and professional life. Victoria is an experienced, strategic marketer with a demonstrated history of adapting her skills across different industries. As a former collegiate athlete, she has applied the lessons learned on the field to her day to day, bringing energy and positivity to every role. Victoria leads by example and enables those around her to succeed by applying her core values of authenticity, communication, transparency, and collaboration. Living in different countries has allowed her the privilege of meeting people from all different cultures and backgrounds. This gave way to a natural affinity for marketing and people management in her current role at Compass, leading a team of marketers. Marketing is storytelling, and Victoria loves learning about people and finding ways to share their stories. Isn't that, after all, what marketing is all about? Both in her career and outside of work, Victoria is passionate about community outreach and social activism. She is a co-lead for the California Diversity Council at Compass, on the Alumni Council for her alma mater, and is involved in various charitable organizations focused on causes including racial and gender equality, education, disaster relief, and environmental conservation.
Support Victoria’s fundraiser here.
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Sunny Das is a strategic venture investor and innovation leader with over a decade of experience driving impact at the intersection of emerging technology and financial services. He has scaled startups to multimillion-dollar valuations, led venture investments across Blockchain, DeFi, and PropTech, and advised GSE leadership on AI-driven product strategy and partnerships. Sunny brings a unique blend of financial acumen, startup execution, and institutional insight, with a passion for translating disruptive technologies into practical solutions that advance housing access and financial equity.
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Trish Kyle is a relatively new transplant to SoCal, specifically Palm Springs. Leaving the East Coast, where she was a lifelong resident, living in the fair cities of Boston, New York, and Washington DC, she spent her career working with organizations to create strategic plans and connecting leaders, messaging, people, and process, in support of strategic visions and annual goals. A strong desire to pay forward and to serve the non-profit world in more impactful ways led Trish to pursue a consulting career in large and small service-oriented non-profits by guiding and helping them to achieve the same goals and successes as for-profit organizations. The journey led her to the Smithsonian Institution where she now serves as the Senior Advisor to the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Fueled by the desire to serve with passion and impact, Home For A Home speaks to Trish’s desire to create and provide homes for families to grow, survive, and thrive. A cause close to her heart and one she is committed to serve.
Support Trish’s fundraiser here.
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President Emeritus
Jerry is extremely excited to serve Home for a Home. Jerry is currently the Head of Operations at Zitara.
He started his career in Executive Search before making the transition to consulting at Deloitte. Jerry spent nearly 8 years at the firm before pursuing his MBA at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. Prior to Zitara, Jerry was the VP of Operations at Chargelab after serving as the Head of Strategy and Operations for Particle Industries. He was a Strategic Sourcing Manager at Apple. Most notably, he was the Business Operations Manager for Apple Watch and iPod. Serving the community is nothing new to Jerry, as he served on multiple non-profit boards and as youth mentor. This includes having served for 5 years on the Board of Directors for the California Alumni Association (UC Berkeley’s Independent Alumni Association).
Support Jerry’s fundraiser here.
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Kenneth Morgan, Jr. has experience in both the public and private sectors. He currently serves as Senior Advisor of SBP USA, where he is responsible for supporting the organization operations and measuring its impact within communities.
In 2019, he started KM Consulting, to support nonprofit and community organizations in accomplishing and advancing their mission and goals by providing organizational, strategy, and project management support.
Previously, Kenneth served as Director of the Mayor’s Office for the City of New Orleans under the Landrieu Administration. He guided efforts to streamline processes and systems in city agencies, resulting in faster and more reliable customer service for New Orleans residents and businesses. Before leading the Mayor’s Office, Kenneth supported the Network for Economic Opportunity. There, his work focused on improving opportunities and outcomes for at-risk and underserved communities in workforce development, housing, and economic development.
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Dana Raponi is proud to join the governing board of Home for a Home, bringing with her a strong background in banking, leadership, and youth and community involvement. She is a 2010 graduate of John Carroll University, where she earned her degree in Accounting and Business Administration, and a 2024 graduate of Cleveland State University with a Master’s in Business Administration.
Professionally, Dana serves as a VP of Internal Audit at Westfield Bank, where she leads with integrity, strategy, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Beyond her career, she is a youth coach for North FC a competitive soccer club in the Cleveland area, where she mentors and inspires young female athletes.
Dana currently resides in North Ridgeville, Ohio, with her boyfriend and their two beloved dogs, Clover and Libby. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing at their campground, exploring new destinations, and traveling the world.
Support Dana’s campaign here.
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Page is thrilled to be given the opportunity to build and strengthen communities through the great work Home for a Home does. She is a seasoned marketing professional currently serving as the Senior Brand Lead for Gin & Rum at Hotaling & Co., Importer & Distiller. A long believer in building brands with purpose, Page successfully launched a new series of events called Martini Week resulting in the contribution of over $30K to charitable donations in just 2 years. Prior experiences include impactful roles at Jackson Family Wines, Starbucks Corporation, and Gallo Wine & Spirits where she demonstrated leadership in brand strategy and product innovation as well as learned the importance of serving communities and people. She holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, with concentrations in Strategy and Marketing. A well-rounded professional and avid traveler, Page brings a wealth of experience and a passion for creating memorable purpose first brand experiences.
Support Page’s fundraiser here.
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Dr. Cheryl Voisard is a seasoned international development leader with over 17 years of experience advancing inclusive growth, governance reform, and stakeholder engagement across fragile and emerging markets. As a former USAID Foreign Service Officer, she has led complex, multi-sector programs in Iraq, South Sudan, and Senegal—partnering with local communities, civil society, and government institutions to drive sustainable impact. Her expertise spans public-private partnerships, crisis response, and ESG strategy, making her deeply attuned to the role of corporate actors in enabling social progress. Cheryl brings a pragmatic, locally grounded approach to systems change and holds a PhD from Cornell and a BSFS from Georgetown. She is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations build shared value and trusted relationships with communities on the ground.
Support Cheryl’s campaign here.
Advisory Council
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The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most thriving real estate markets in the country and navigating it successfully necessitates a partnership with the right professionals who have the expertise to guide homeowners through the complexities of our market and the lending industry.
As an experienced mortgage lender, my role goes far above and beyond quoting interest rates; rather, I see my primary responsibility as enabling my clients to make fully-informed decisions. The unbiased information and advice aim to empower them as to how to leverage a mortgage within the context of their longer-term, overall planning goals and thus make responsible and strategic decisions. This big-picture analysis is coupled with my unwavering commitment to timely delivery, highly-engaged management of the loan process, and proactive communication.
This strategy for my client's success has been the foundation of my business, and I am grateful to work with an excellent team that is similarly committed to the best interests of our clients.
Support Bryce’s fundraiser here.
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Jesse Andrade is the Business Development Manager at BBSI La Quinta, where he has proudly served since 2016. He works closely with Insurance Brokers and Business Owners to deliver tailored solutions in Workers Compensation, HR Support, Risk Management, and Payroll. Jesse is Passionate about helping businesses grow while reducing risk and improving operational efficiency. Known for building strong, lasting relationships, he takes a consultative approach to understanding each client's unique needs. Based in the Coachella Valley, Jesse is deeply committed to supporting the local business community through strategic partnership and hands-on service.
Support Jesse’s fundraiser here.
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Audrey is an experienced board director and C-level executive with proven track record in governance, strategy, and operational excellence. Audrey brings 25+ years of leadership across global brands and mission-driven organizations, including board service in sustainability, civic engagement, and culture-focused nonprofits. Known for building consensus, navigating complexity and driving impact. Board and nonprofit experience complemented by operational and financial leadership roles in public and private companies.
Experience includes John Hardy, Inc. (President, Interim CEO, COO & CFO), Briarcliff Group, LLC (Principal / Business Strategy & Transformation Consultant), Levi Strauss & Co. (Business Transformation & Strategy Leader), and Gap, Inc. (Senior Vice President, Strategic Operations).
Support Audrey’s fundraiser here.
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A love of real estate runs deep for Jennifer Hawkins. She grew up fluently speaking the language of architecture, design and development thanks to her father, a residential and commercial developer who has turned the Hawkins name into a stamp of quality across Arizona, Colorado and Utah. Fiercely independent and naturally entrepreneurial, Jen counts 15 years as a top-performing sales consultant in the automotive industry—sharpening her negotiation skills through thousands of transactions—before making an instinctive pivot into real estate. Known for her infectious energy, perpetual positivity and an unmatched ability to connect and bond with her clients, colleagues and community, Jen now continues her family’s legacy by bringing the Hawkins brand to California. Jen prides herself in being a dedicated, hands-on, highly communicative agent, passionate about providing exceptional service for clients “25/7.”
Born and raised in Florida and now living in Santa Monica—while specializing in Malibu, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Pacific Palisades areas, alongside any L.A. neighborhood where her clients have interests—Jen blends her innate Southern-style charm and friendliness with a sunny SoCal vibe that’s wholly her own. She’s fully devoted to facilitating transactions and experiences for her clients that are seamless and satisfying, never thinking twice about going the extra mile when called.
Away from the office, Jen is a consummate hostess and habitual connector of both friends and a network of professional colleagues and contacts, as well as a frequent traveler. In addition to supporting Home for a Home, she’s also committed to giving back to her community, working regularly with the Step Up Network, Reading Partners and LA Food Bank, plus is an official volunteer with the Red Cross.Support Jennifer’s fundraiser here.
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Top-producing Realtor®, Bart Moore is a lifetime resident of Napa Valley and a fourth-generation San Franciscan.
Successful real estate transactions require teamwork, communication skills, negotiation insights as well as being a trusted counselor and advocate for clients. Bart embraces and embodies these qualities, which is why he closes so many complex transactions. Networking with other professional experts, agents, escrow officers, lenders, and marketing professionals assures he is bringing the top creative people for the sale or purchase of your property. His areas of focus include residential, land, and vineyard properties.
Bart began his real estate career while studying economics at the University of California, San Diego. Working with a developer of small projects he was involved with all facets from the purchase of land to completion of buildings. He found his passion!
In 2007, he began working with the successful Moore Team in Napa Valley. Being a millennial he combined technology, social media marketing, and video skills to sell properties in a difficult real estate market. He uses those same skills today to obtain the highest and best offers for their homes.
Support Bart’s fundraiser here.
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Home is so much more than just a place. It’s our sanctuary, our comfort zone, and the feeling to be in the right place, be it for a few weeks or more permanently. In the last decade, I was lucky to live in several different countries and cities; yet, none of them have made me feel so at home like the Los Angeles westside.
After graduating from college with a Business major, I moved from Germany to the United States. What started as a little adventure by the beach in Santa Monica, quickly became my new California life - from an internship at a real estate brokerage, to executive assistant to a top broker assisting and negotiating transactions for high-end clients. And in 2020, I decided to take my career to the next level by helping people find their perfect home while successfully building my own business.
My own journey of frequent relocations and becoming a permanent resident in the US has become my inspiration, and it is my passion to guide my clients through their real estate needs in one of the most desirable places in the world.
Support Melanie’s fundraiser here.
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Grace Turkis is a director of leadership development at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and brings more than 15 years of experience in leadership development in both university and health care settings. Prior to UC Berkeley, Grace was the director of operations at the Institute for Physician Leadership and the Pharmacy Leadership Institute at the UCSF Center for Health Professions, where she focused on the development and delivery of leadership programs for clinical leaders across California. Grace received her master of public administration degree from the University of Colorado Denver and a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the Pennsylvania State University. Grace is also a Certified Professional Coach and certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator practitioner. What Grace loves about Home for a Home is the opportunity it provides for people to give back in a tangible way through providing homes for those in need.
Support Grace’s fundraiser here.
Administrative Support
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Lourdes is a Guatemalan born and raised and our Community Engagement Associate from Antigua Guatemala since 2019.
She went to law school in one of the private universities of Guatemala. Like many, she had to work to be able to pay for her studies and that's how she became a freelance digital marketing specialist and never looked back.
From the moment she heard about Home for a Home she knew she wanted to work with us. Growing up in Guatemala she has seen firsthand the needs and deficiencies of people in rural areas and couldn't pass the opportunity to be a part of an organization that was making a positive impact on so many lives.
Meeting families, seeing houses being built, and being in constant contact with donors letting them know about the homes that they have funded is extremely fulfilling.
You can view copies of the Home for a Home Tax Returns (990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T) here.