About Us
Who We Are
We are a diverse team of highly collaborative volunteers, passionate about helping our unhoused community members – our neighbors – and our community.
We are engineers, finance and business professionals, lawyers, clinicians, university and high school students, as well as former clients who have experienced life unhoused. We bring different skills to help on-site and remotely.
Our Impact
2024 was a Year of Growth and Impact
Our volunteer-driven team achieved record-breaking results, helping more new clients than ever (595), and nearly doubling housing placements (69) compared to 2023! The numbers tell just part of the story; helping people put homelessness in the past is what’s life-changing.
595
New clients helped
90+
Clients helped with affordable housing waitlist applications
69
Clients found stable housing
1000+
Applications submitted for a range of services
40+
Clients helped with job searches
116
Cumulative clients housed since July 1, 2020
17
Clients helped with Homelessness Prevention System applications
100+
Collaborations with other service providers and organizations
New grants funded our ability to continually innovate and advance our impact. Along with our first in-person fundraiser and first Giving Tuesday campaign, we were able to:
- Hire our first independent contractors to support growth
- Provide temporary hotel stays for dozens of our most vulnerable clients
- Fund client management software
Generous donations from individuals along with several generous grants amplified our ability to provide assistance to those in need of help.
A few of our key milestones included inaugurating our first Lived Experience Advisory Board, launching a Self-Sufficiency Program, hiring a team of six former and current clients for MyConnectSV, as well as broad exposure, telling our story to more people through the Mercury News Wish Book campaign.
Leadership Team
The United Effort Organization is women-founded and volunteer-run.
Our leaders bring diverse backgrounds and experiences, united in our commitment to eliminate inequities across gender, race, ethnic and economic lines. We also strive to address technological barriers by developing self-service tools so that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Board Member, President & Founder
Wei Qun E
Wei, a retired attorney from Fenwick & West, is committed to helping those in need. During the pandemic, she co-founded The United Effort Organization after seeing the growing struggles of unhoused individuals while she volunteered at Hope’s Corner. She works tirelessly to find real solutions for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Chief Operating Officer & Founder
Claire Hubel
Claire first remembers being concerned about a homeless person at the age of 8, and this concern has persisted ever since. Through her volunteer work, she's met a wonderful and diverse population of unhoused people who have enriched her life with their spirit, determination, friendship, and humor.
Founder
Julie Wang
Julie applies her experience in software and database system design to develop tools for improving work efficiency. She volunteers to help people in need.
Board Chair
Mike Patrick
Mike Patrick is a retired Silicon Valley corporate attorney. Mike was previously Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Environmental Volunteers and Co-President of La Comida, both Palo Alto based non-profits.
Board Member
John Riemenschnitter
John is a Bay Area native and the co-founder & former pastor of The Highway Community, a non-denominational church in Mountain View. After becoming aware of how many people were living in vehicles in his community, he began volunteering in January 2020 to get to know his neighbors. The relationships he has formed have been transformational.
Board Member
Dave Atkins
Prior to working with The United Effort, Dave began volunteering at Hope's Corner in 2015, and he has since enjoyed working with interesting people from all walks of life. He's a lifelong resident of the South Bay and an attorney with the Social Security Administration. He is also an intense soccer fan and an avid open water swimmer.
Board Member
Tracy Jiang
Tracy Jiang is a product manager at Google with over 20 years of industry experience. Outside work, she served as marketing lead for a non-profit microfinancing organization for five years and helped support many small businesses run by people in poverty. She is passionate in applying her skills to volunteer work and helping people lead a better life.
Board Member
Li Zhang
Li moved to Mountain View in 2001 after earning her Ph.D. from UCSD, drawn by its diversity and inclusivity. Witnessing homelessness rise in her community deeply moved her, reinforcing her belief that everyone deserves a safe home. She knows real change takes a community effort.
Board Member
Lucia Foster
Lucia is a retired entrepreneur. She developed a passion for working with the unhoused when a family member became homeless. She believes that using her time, skills and energy are the best way to be of service to our unhoused neighbors. She also volunteers with Agape Silicon Valley.
Board Member
Malia Pires
Malia is a uniquely blended Silicon Valley non-profit executive, leading from a heart of compassion, lived experience and a "boots on the ground" approach. She is a master of connecting people to resources and relationship-building, always starting by asking, "How can I help?" She believes collaborations and partnerships are key for *impact*passion*purpose*unity* to change lives.
Board Member & Chief Financial Officer
Jarad Backlund
Jarad has worked for 20 years in corporate finance holding leadership roles at large tech companies, most recently acting as a startup CFO. He and his family have lived and served in Mountain View since 2016. One of his biggest passions is helping others worry less about money, and he cares deeply about helping others achieve their financial goals.
Chief Marketing Officer
Shari Kipp
A versatile marketer for >25 years in diagnostics & medical technology, Shari believes that strong communities empower everyone to pursue their dreams. With a passion for helping others, she is proud of her accomplishments simplifying complex communications for cancer patients and opening patient access to vital clinical monitoring tools.
Chief Technology Officer
Trevor Shannon
Trevor left the local tech workforce to be a full-time parent. He cares greatly about housing equity and volunteers his time to improve his community through technology.