DECEMBER AT INSIGHT HOUSING

We can’t believe we are wrapping up 55 years of Insight Housing. 2025 has been a tumultuous year in the fight for housing justice and we are SO grateful to have all of you as part of our community. This month, we enjoyed our December Holiday Meal, observed Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, and saw several Hope Center residents participate in an art exhibition in partnership with UC Berkeley students.

The Insight Housing Team wishes you and yours a happy holiday season! As always, if there’s anything you particularly enjoyed or would like to see more of, please let us know by emailing us at philanthropy@insighthousing.org.

December Holiday Meal at the Hope Center 

Last week, the Insight community held our December Holiday Meal at the Hope Center. Over 200 people joined us for a hot meal prepared by Chef Andre and his incredible team of staff and volunteers. Among the volunteers were Igor Tregub, Berkeley City Councilmember, and his staff. "At a time when too many of our neighbors struggle with the uncertainty of where their next meal is going to come from, it was an incredibly affirming experience ... Thank you for ensuring that Berkeley is a community that we can all call home." 

Volunteering at Community Meal is a great way to connect with your neighbors and see the impact of Insight Housing firsthand. To get started volunteering, please email philanthropy@insighthousing.org.  

Igor Tregub, Berkeley City Councilmember, and Amy Johnson, Legislative Aide, serving at the December Holiday Meal

Remembering Those Lost to Homelessness

During our December Holiday meal, we also observed Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. This annual event is nationally recognized on December 21st, the longest night of the year, and is dedicated to those who have died while experiencing homelessness. Participants, staff and community members gathered in the dining area to remember those that have lost their lives to living outside in the last year. Thank you to all who came and recognized this community and the ongoing profound human toll of the homelessness crisis. 

Stacey Burmaster, Regional Director, Residential Programs, saying a few words to honor community members we've lost in the past year

Towel and Coat Drive

As the weather gets colder around the Bay Area, those who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity have an increased need for warm and weather-resistant clothing. This winter, we put the call out to our in-kind donors that we needed a lot of two specific items for our men’s and women’s shelter programs: towels and coats. And of course, our active and generous community quickly delivered!

While we have all the towels we need, we are still in need of coat donations, particularly in women’s sizes. If you have a new coat that you would like to donate, please email philanthropy@insighthousing.org, or click here if you would like to donate through our Amazon Wishlist.  

Marques Bankhead, Case Manager at the Hope Center, with donated towels

Hope Center Collaboration with UC Berkeley Art Collection 

Matthew Pitcher is a regular volunteer at the Hope Center and undergraduate student at UC Berkeley. As part of a Public Health class, he and fellow Cal students organized an art collection titled "Uplifting Voices: Combating Stigma Faced By Individuals 55+ Who Have Experienced Homelessness." The project featured five Hope Center participants: Andre, Annette, Matthew (Steve), Kevin, and Donna. Each participant sent in photos of themselves and answered interview questions about their experience with homelessness.

Stay tuned as we will be featuring each participant and their respective self-portrait on our Instagram page. You can check out these powerful works in the community room at the Hope Center starting in January! 

Ella, Nathalie, Lucy, and Olivia, all of whom worked on this portrait and narrative of Donna, Hope Center participant