WHO
WE ARE
Dedicated. Passionate. Wholeheartedly committed to our community and the homeless who need a helping hand.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.
Tim Berry
Executive Director & Chairman
Tim Berry is the founder and executive director of HOPE for the Homeless. In 2012 Tim and a small group of volunteers from Mountain Park Church started serving the emotional and physical needs of indigent and the homeless by sponsoring recovery meetings in central Phoenix. Through Tim’s tireless work and focus on the needs of others HOPE for the Homeless has grown to serving thousands of men and women suffering from addiction and homelessness. Tim is a creative entrepreneur and business owner and is responsible for the growth of HOPE for the Homeless and the creation of many of the partnerships it has with community businesses and other non-profit organizations. Tim is chairman of the Board of Directors.
Don O'Neill
Secretary & Treasurer
Don O’Neill first volunteered with HOPE for the Homeless in 2012 serving food and handing out clothing and personal care items. In 2014, at the invitation of Tim Berry, Don and fellow volunteer Jim Lane committed to lead a monthly food ministry for HOPE for the Homeless for one year. Ten+ years later Don continues to serve HOPE for the Homeless and those in need. In May, 2018 Don incorporated Hope for the Homeless, as an Arizona non-profit corporation and IRS 501 (c) 3 public charity, and later qualified HOPE for the Homeless as a Qualified Charitable Organization with the Arizona Department of Revenue. Don serves as corporate secretary and treasurer and is a member of the Board of Directors.
Additional Board Members
Anabel Alvarez-Cole
Anabel Alvarez-Cole began her journey with Hope for the Homeless in 2018, shortly after relocating to Phoenix with her family. Her dedication and passion for the cause quickly became evident. In 2024, she was invited by Don O’Neil to join the Board of Directors, a testament to her commitment and leadership. At HOPE for the Homeless, Anabel plays a crucial role in leading the monthly meal preparations. The team meticulously designs the menus, ensuring that each meal is nutritious and thoughtfully prepared. Her efforts have made a significant impact on the community. In addition to her work in Phoenix, Anabel has been actively involved in the Medical Mission in Honduras since 2020. Her service in Honduras highlights her dedication to helping those in need, both locally and internationally. Anabel is a member of the Board of Directors.
Carrie Bruce
Carrie Bruce began volunteering with HOPE for the Homeless during Covid when our volunteers did outreach outside of Andre House and passed out HOPE bags and engaged with people as best we could during that difficult time. She now helps organize donations in the Andre House and helps set up for the meal service. Her B.A. in Social Work and Masters in Counseling has always led her to volunteer with Non-Profits that serve people in our Community from crisis shelter work to Women’s’ Advocacy & Mentoring to answering questions on the eviction process with Community Information & Referral. After joining Mountain Park Church in 2017 she eventually learned more from Tim Berry manning an information booth after Church Services and decided to give this Non-Profit a try. Over the years she has seen the consistency in messaging, commitment from dedicated volunteers with HOPE for the Homeless and their servant leadership and a humbleness of those giving their time and attention to the unhoused population at Andre House. She is proud to be among an extraordinary group of givers at HOPE for the Homeless. Carrie is a member of the Board of Directors.
Jaden Gerdis
Jaden Gerdis began volunteering with HOPE for the Homeless almost ten years ago, making sandwiches to be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness. Over the years, Jaden has helped shape and develop HOPE for the Homeless into what it is today. At each monthly event where over 3,000 HOPE bags are packed, Jaden can be found leading volunteers as the food distribution coordinator. Jaden is a member of the Board of Directors.
Lyn Gerdis
Lyn Badje Gerdis is a community volunteer who has been blessed with spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit in serving and administration. Lyn began serving with HOPE for the Homeless in 2017. Later, there was a natural transition when Tim referred to her as the "volunteer coordinator". This role has remained in connecting with volunteers and getting them involved in various ways in the organization, particularly during bag packing events. At one point, the Holy Spirit placed on her heart that prayer needs to be done for not only HFTH activities/bags going out, but for other ministry partners and individuals, at the monthly bag packing event Lyn has had experience with being a board member of Student Community Outreach in the early 2020s and currently is serving on the board with intent to look at long-term sustainability/goals and building relationships/collaboration with our outreach partners in the mission and vision of HOPE for the Homeless. Lyn is a member of the Board of Directors.
James Goodman
In 2018, Tim Berry approached James Goodman with an exciting opportunity—to help organize a car show. While James had experience putting together community events, a car show was a new challenge. The inaugural event featured just over 60 cars, but today, the Ahwatukee Car Show has grown into a highly anticipated biannual event, attracting more than 500 cars and thousands of attendees each time. Beyond the car show, James and Tim have partnered on a variety of community events, including Trunk or Treats, Easter Egg Hunts, Photos with Santa, and Ahwatukee First Fridays—all of which support HOPE for the Homeless. James also enjoys volunteering his time to help pack HOPE Bags monthly. In 2024, James was honored when Tim invited him to join the Board of Directors.
Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey is a community volunteer who has served in leadership roles at Mountain Park Church and nonprofit organizations in Phoenix. For many years, Paul was a member of the Board of Directors of an Arizona based organization that helped educate and find employment for formerly incarcerated people. At HOPE for the Homeless, Paul is a leader of the packing and distribution of HOPE Bags – carefully packed bags containing non-perishable food items, bottled water, personal care and first aid items, clothing, socks and blankets. Under Paul’s leadership, volunteers pack and distribute over 3,000 HOPE Bags each month. Paul is a member of the Board of Directors.
Robert "Rob" Herder
Rob Herder began volunteering with HOPE for the Homeless in 2015 along with his family. Back then, a small group of volunteers would make a hundred or so sandwiches and then hand them out in downtown Phoenix near the C.A.S.S. and Andre House. Over the years, Rob has helped in many aspects of the organization, putting his decades of corporate experience to use, to grow into assembling now 3,000 HOPE bags and assisting with fundraising events. At each monthly ‘serve weekend’, Rob can be found leading volunteers through setup, packing, and distribution alongside other volunteer leaders. Rob is a member of the Board of Directors.
Steve Hicks
Steve Hicks brings a blend of professional leadership, community service, and heartfelt commitment to his role on the board of Hope for the Homeless. A graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance, Steve currently manages a regional territory for a leading enterprise software company, where he focuses on delivering impactful solutions to large organizations. A dedicated volunteer, Steve has been actively involved with Hope for the Homeless for several years, supporting the organization's mission through hands-on service and strategic guidance. His passion for giving back extends beyond one cause—he has also worked with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, supporting their efforts to fund lifesaving research and patient services. His daughter Bella is a cancer survivor herself so the mission is close to home. Steve lives in Cave Creek, Arizona, with his wife Margaret, their daughter Bella, and their two dogs, Kia and Antonio. He is deeply committed to helping create sustainable change for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Steve is a member of the Board of Directors.