About A-1 Community Housing Services
A-1 Community Housing Services, a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency, was established in 2016 to educate and empower our low-moderate income community. Thanks to continued support from our sponsors, donors and grants we can provide free education and one-on-one counseling to families and individuals in our community.
Our Story
A-1 Community Housing Services (A-1 CHS) is a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency registered by the IRS as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Hayward, California, a woman-based organization founded in 2016 by Joanne Baker and Nancy Rivera.
Joanne Baker and Nancy Rivera have over 25 years of combined experience in the housing and non-profit sector. The idea that sparked their vision was simple; the dream of homeownership and financial stability should be achievable to everyone. Through research in their community and a commitment to provide quality service, A-1 Community Housing Services became a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Approved Housing Agency on September 12, 2018.
A-1 Community Housing Services works with individuals and families in California through various programs targeting the issues of homelessness, financial education, first-time homebuyer education, rental counseling, foreclosure prevention, and credit management. A-1 CHS recognizes that knowledge is power, since launching the housing program in 2016 they have educated and assisted over 5,000 households.
Counseling and education services are provided FREE, in large part due to support form our local community, partners and funders.
A-1 Community Housing Services continues to grow its mission and expand its services, reaching one household at a time.
Our Achievements
A-1 Community Housing Services has managed to put our fingerprint in the community by servicing over 5,000 households in the areas of rental, first-time homebuyer education, financial literacy and foreclosure prevention in the first 5 years of business. A-1 CHS has become a trusted agency; with the support of our local community, partners, and funders we continue to grow and help our communities thrive.
Our Vision
“Empowering Communities through financial literacy and homebuyer education despite their race, economic status, gender, or color.”
Our Mission
“Helping our community find reasonable and dependable solutions to their housing needs. Reaching one household at a time.”
Our Core Values
Transparency
Accountability
Integrity
Honesty
Respect
Professionalism
Meet Our Staff
NANCY RIVERa | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / co-FOUNDER
Nancy is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of A-1CHS, she is committed to creating safe, affordable living conditions for all communities throughout California. A passionate public servant, she has dedicated her professional life to educating our communities about the importance of financial literacy, homeownership education, credit and money management, and foreclosure prevention. She is a loving mother to two young boys and enjoys spending her free time attending their athletic events and visiting new places.
JOANNE BAKER | PRESIDENT / SENIOR HOUSING COUNSELOR
Joanne is President and Co-Founder of A-1 CHS. Joanne retired as an escrow officer and shortly after decided she wanted to give back to the community. With over 40 years in the real estate industry she entered the Non-Profit Sector in 2005 and since then has been educating the community in areas of housing and money management. She brings a wealth of experience to A-1 CHS as a Senior Housing Counselor. Joanne loves drives through the countryside, reading and tending to her house plants.
JACQUELYN MENDOZA | HOUSING PROGRAM MANAGER
She has over 8 years’ experience in the management industry. Jacquelyn brings her attention to detail and commitment to further her community to A-1CHS. She enjoys spending her time traveling and visiting botanical gardens in the bay area.
GRISELDA SHAIKH | HOUSING COUNSELOR
Born and raised in California she has a background specializing in Financial Coaching, Credit, and Student Loan counseling. She is a Housing Counselor at A-1CHS and specializes in Foreclosure Prevention and Pre-Purchase counseling. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and fur babies.
LOURDES COLON | HOUSING COUNSELOR
Lourdes has over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. She brings that knowledge to A-1CHS as a housing counselor. Lourdes enjoys cooking, traveling, road trips and spending her time with her loved ones.
SHANNON WISE | WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
Shannon has over 7 years’ experience delivering comprehensive homebuyer education training for hundreds of clients through workshops and one-on-one counseling as a Certified U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) counselor. As A-1CHS workshop facilitator, she brings her enthusiasm and knowledge to our workshops.
Betsy Hernandez | Jr. Housing Counselor / ERAP Application Coordinator
Betsy has over 4 years of experience working with families with different social & economic backgrounds. She specialized in working in the community as a disability support specialist. She is an aspiring Junior Housing Counselor ready to take on new challenges. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves the outdoors and adventures.
Brenda Gomez | Administrative Assistant
Born and raised in Hayward, Brenda is A-1 CHS’ Administrative Assistant. Brenda will be the first person you will communicate with. Brenda is fluent in English and Spanish. Brenda enjoys the outdoors and summer weather.
Board of Directors
officers:
Joanne Baker, President
Alexthaddeus Rajo-Duran, Vice President
Angel Sweet, Secretary
Armando Mendoza, Treasurer
BOARD MEMBERS:
Andres Rosales, Board Member
Sharon Baker, Board Member
Olga Gutierrez, Board Member
Victor Navarro, Board Member
Silvia Rivas, Board Member
Get Involved
Make A Donation
Help us continue our mission of providing reasonable and dependable solutions to individuals and families housing needs. Large or small donations are greatly appreciated and help support our cause. We are still one of the few organizations that offers our services FREE to our community, thanks to our donors and sponsors.
Volunteer
Volunteering with A-1CHS is a great way to give back to your community while making a positive impact. No experience is required, volunteers are always welcomed. If you are interested in volunteering, please email information@a1chs.org to get started!
Become A Partner
At A-1 Community Housing Services we are striving to give the best to our community. We need and welcome new partners that will continue to help accelerate our missions and see the realization of our goals.
Become a partner today and be part of the change!