![Patricia Narciso](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/BDP-Patricia-Narciso.jpg)
Working MEDA's Community Initiatives Manager, Patricia was able to find a new affordable home. She also recieved free technical assistance and a grant to scale her alfajores business.
![Ana Acosta, BMR winner](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Blog-5-320x139.jpg)
Ana emigrated from El Salvador eight years ago, dreaming of a better life. Today Ana Acosta and her toddler, Daniela, were awarded the keys to a below-market-rate (BMR) one-bedroom apartment at the new Alice Griffith development at Candlestick Point.
![Shannon Noonan, MEDA Housing Opportunities client](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Blog-320x139.jpg)
Shannon says, “The First-Time Homebuyers workshop at MEDA was amazing. I learned so many things about homeownership. Honestly, everyone should sign up for it to learn their options for affordable housing in San Francisco.”
![Affordable housing in SF](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Blog-3-320x139.jpg)
With the help of MEDA and MNHC, siblings' families are now in a below-market-rate (BMR) apartment rentals in Dogpatch and in Mission Bay. Both are brand-new developments featuring many amenities.
![Flores Family](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Blog-320x139.jpg)
Surviving 22nd and Mission fire, the resilient Flores family won a lottery for a BMR apartment in San Francisco.
![Juana, Housing Opportunities](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Blog-1-320x139.jpg)
“Our bathroom is larger than the one room my two children and I used to share,” says a thankful Juana Martinez of her two-bedroom apartment at brand-new FIVE 88 in San Francisco’s burgeoning Mission Bay.
![](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Blog-2-320x139.jpg)
"When we got the call that MEDA had become the new owner of 1411 Florida, we breathed a collective sigh of relief. Our family is very grateful to MEDA for their support...I also want to add that a week after hearing the good news, we received a letter stating that we were selected for a BMR."
![](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Blog-6-320x139.jpg)
With the help of a MEDA Housing Opportunities Coach, Julio and his family averted eviction and found a new home in a Mission BMR rental.
![](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Blog-4-320x139.jpg)
Bourne-Ruiz originally came to MEDA seeking homeownership opportunities. Although she didn't qualify for a mortgage loan, she was able to avoid eviction with MEDA's help, and she won the lottery for a BMR rental!
![](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2551-11152016_HOP-Homeowner-Bridget-Early-Social-Media_blog-320x139.jpg)
With the help of MEDA’s free Housing Opportunities program, coupled with revised guidelines and qualifications from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD), a family of four was able to buy a home in Outer Sunset. In San Francisco. As two teachers.
![Saul, El Gran Taco Loco](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/El-Gran-Taco.jpg)
“The case of El Gran Taco Loco exemplifies why MEDA started Adelante Fund. Saul and Angelica had suffered a tragedy, and these hardworking entrepreneurs had been denied a loan. They deserved the opportunity to get back on their feet."
![Ernest Herndon, RAD Program affordable mission housing](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Blog5-320x148.jpg)
Ernest moved into a newly rehabbed, affordable unit in his complex, thanks to the partnership between MEDA and BRIDGE Housing.
![Qosqo Maky](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/QuosQuo-Maky-Blog-320x148.jpg)
"Juana and Raul were the perfect candidates for a Community Loan Fund. They are a community-serving business looking to grow and, once sales increase, they want to create jobs in the Mission..."
![Claudia Garcia MEDA Workforce Development client](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1848-11052015_WFD-Claudia-Garcia-Images-Social-Media_Blog_640x295px.jpg)
After getting laid off, Claudia met with a MEDA Job Coach at the Culinary Job Fair who helped her land a new job.
![Adelante Load Fund - Alicia Tamales Los Mayas](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1832-10272015_CLF-Alicia’s-Tamales-Los-Mayas-Images_blog_640x295px-320x148.jpg)
A local catering business had its small-business loan officially funded, courtesy of a $100,000 loan from MEDA’s innovative Adelante Fund.
![](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1833-10292015_CLF-El-Buen-Comer-Image_blog_640x295px-320x148.jpg)
El Buen Comer, a seven-year-old gourmet catering company that started in a home kitchen and is now expanding into a full-service restaurant, received a $35,000 loan from MEDA’s new Adelante Fund.
![Free Tax Preparation Mission SF](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1644-08192015_FTP-Lauri-Chin-and-Maged-Nabawy_Blog_640x295px-320x148.jpg)
Laurie and Maged received a $2,585 refund after using MEDA's free tax preparation service.
![](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Jennifer-Martínez.jpg)
"Not only was I able to develop technology skills of which I had no previous knowledge, but I was able to sharpen my public-speaking skills, job readiness skills (resume, references, elevator pitch, etc.)...and attend financial capability workshops."
![1400 Mission Street Lottery winners](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/William-Ley_BLOG_640x295px-320x148.jpg)
A lottery was conducted for below-market-rate (BMR) units at 1400 Mission, a 100 percent affordable-housing development. There were 167 residences for 355 hopeful entrants. There were 33 MEDA Housing Opportunities program clients picked!
![](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WFD_Client_Santos_Cabrera_3_RGB_640x295-320x148.jpg)
MEDA's free Workforce Development programs helped Santos land a job.
![Ada, MEDA Client Success Story](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Ada-Olmedo-Blog-320x148.jpg)
MEDA assisted Ada in landing a new job after her place of employment of ten years burned down in the Mission.
![Mission Promise Neighborhood client](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Alfaro-Blog-320x148.jpg)
Single mother Ana Alfaro made the difficult decision to leave her native Guatemala with her son, Jose, with the hope of a better life for her small family. A referral to Mission Promise Neighborhood has brought her closer to her dreams.
![De De MEDA Financial Capability Client](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Financial-Capability-320x127.png)
De De came to MEDA to get free tax preparation, but walked out with a budget, improved credit score and money in her savings account.
![](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Michael-L-Baumwohl.jpg)
"...Having been referred to MEDA by Episcopal Community Services, I am grateful for their hard work and dedication to helping me find stable employment and, of course, all else who are in need."
![Karin Acevedo, Sparkpoint Client of the Year](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Karin-Acevedo-Blog_duo-320x146.jpg)
The challenges have been many for Karina Acevedo, the doting mother of a son named Chuy, who was diagnosed with autism in his early infant years. Karina’s goal was to have an affordable place she could call home...
![Victor Caicero, Antigua Coffee Shop and Restaurant](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Victor-Caicero-Blog-320x148.jpg)
Victor came to the US with dreams to open a coffee shop and restaurant. Through MEDA's workshops, one-on-one coaching and connections to capital, Victor's entrepreneurial dreams have come true.
![May Bishop Client Success](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Mary-Bishop-Blog-320x146.jpg)
"I learned about MEDA at a job fair and attended their next orientation later that week...After only two weeks, I was able to secure full-time employment..."
![Yohana Rodriguez](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Yohana-Rodriguez-Blog--320x148.jpg)
"I am very happy because I had nothing before coming to MEDA. Mr. Robert Lopez not only helped me with my resume, he also motivated me..."
![Edwin Gonzales, Mission Techies](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Edwin-Blog-320x146.jpg)
Edwin came to the U.S. From El Salvador just four years ago. With MEDA's help and his hard work, Edwin has turned a hobby into a full-time tech industry job.
![Lourdes Boutique, El Mercadito](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Lourdes-Boutique-300x147.jpg)
Maria always had a dream of starting her own business. MEDA's help and her passion turned her dream into a reality.
![Yeral Caldas, El Ají](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1729-09172015_BDP-El-Aji-Peruvian-Restaurant-Yeral-Caldas_Blog_640x295px-320x148.jpg)
Peru native Yeral went through MEDA’s free Business Development program and now owns two restaurants.
![Sergio Danilo Gallardo, Gallardo’s Printing](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Sergio-Danilo-Gallardo-300x145.jpg)
After taking MEDA's free Business Development workshops, getting one-on-one coaching and a grant from MEDA, Danilo was able to open his own print shop in El Mercadito.
![](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Evelys-Alvarado-300x147.jpg)
As a youngster in her native Honduras, Evelys Alvarado never imagined she would one day be teaching computer classes in the United States.
![Jessica Ganz Express Beauty & Warehouse](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Jessica-Ganz-300x135.jpg)
Jessica was able to open her own business in El Mercadito, MEDA's Mission microbusiness incubator, after taking free Business Development workshops and receiving one on one coaching from MEDA.
![Lorena Benitez](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Lorena-Benitez-300x215.jpg)
“Of all the organizations where I registered to get help finding a job, MEDA is the only one that helped me optimize my resume and cover letter, plus assisted me with other services related to employment.”
![Carmina Valdez Wrap Ur Dreams](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Carmina-Valdez-Wrap-Ur-Dreams-Blog-300x138.jpg)
After participating in MEDA's free Business Development Program, Carmina was able to open her own store in El Mercadito, located on the first level of Plaza Adelante.
![Alessandra-Nieto-Client-Success](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Alessandra-Nieto-300x147.jpg)
Alessandra came to MEDA because she was frustrated by the seemingly daunting task of obtaining full-time employment in San Francisco. After attending MEDA's Job Readiness Program, she landed a job.
![Green Urban Dog Hikes and Adventures](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/photo-clientOct_crop-640x295-300x138.jpg)
“I never imagined that I could make my dream job come true by opening my own dog walking business,” says Diana Mondragon, a dog lover from Mexico.
![Foreclosure Client](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ElizabethM-0239-640x295.jpg)
Elizabeth, a self-employed immigrant from Peru, was having issues with her mortgage . . . until MEDA came to her rescue.
![First Time Homebuyer Certification](https://medasf.org/redesign2/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/soldHouse_crop-640x295.jpg)
Mei and her husband were interested in purchasing a home in pricey San Francisco. They recently started a family and wanted a permanent place for themselves and their one-year-old son.