Pieces on Peace, April/May 2026 Edition

For decades, I’ve seen the Westview “Chimes” newsletter pinned to the bulletin board of First Presbyterian Church, Altadena (FPCA) – the church I grew up attending, where I still work (part-time hybrid) in community outreach, and where I’m under care as a candidate for ministry. I’ll be honest, I never read the “Chimes” on the bulletin board, but when my husband and I moved up to Prunedale/Castroville last September, I figured Westview would be a good place to visit since I had some sort of connection.

Westview and FPCA are small, multicultural churches that share a common history as Japanese American churches. While it was exciting and nostalgically heartwarming to see old photos of the Westview congregation that reminded me very much of my home church, what really impressed me about Westview was not their past, but their future. They were in the process of constructing a tiny home community called “HOPE Village” on their campus to serve their neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Westview is small in number, but the decision to partner with Community Action Board (CAB), and the counties of Monterey and Santa Cruz to construct a tiny home community that can help provide housing for up to 34 people at a time is big, giant, herculean, I would even say miraculous! HOPE Village provides more than shelter. CAB has two case managers, a housing navigator, and staff on site daily to provide assistance. They partner with Loaves and Fishes, the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, and other groups to help residents access meals and food. They have laundry and cleaning services to help everyone feel comfortable. Westview is working to provide opportunities for spiritual care and fellowship. The hope is that within six months, residents will move on to permanent or longer-term, stable housing. CAB’s goal is that 60% of villagers are able to accomplish this. A similar model exists in Santa Barbara and has an 85% success rate. There is much hope for HOPE Village!

While touring the recently completed site, CAB’S homelessness prevention and intervention services director, Mike Kittredge, shared an earnest request for prayer. He asked people of faith to pray for HOPE Village and CAB to find continued funding to serve our unhoused neighbors. A more official “grand opening” celebration is in the works, but for now our Presbytery can pray for HOPE Village – for its residents, staff and affiliated groups, and for Westview and their ministry with HOPE Village. I also invite you to join me in praying for more churches to be moved and inspired by this example of a small church doing a great thing to help unhoused neighbors.

To support HOPE Village, check donations can be made out to Community Action Board with memo: HOPE Village (https://cabinc.org/home-donate-section/). Donations of clothing and shoes in good condition can also be donated to Westview. Contact Veronica for more information.

 

– Veronica Ota, Peacemaking & Justice Advocate