Marvin Ballenger
Founder and CEO
As founder and CEO, Marvin has brought to life his dream of helping those that have served us (Veterans). A son of an Army veteran, Marvin grew up in Los Angeles, CA, America’s hotbed of homelessness.
In 2018 he was called to serve the homeless population after meeting 91-year-old veteran Mr. Martinez, who himself was facing homelessness. At the end of that same year, Marvin walked away from the real estate industry after 20 plus years of working with buyers, sellers, investors, and several major banks.
His last two decades in real estate were spent working for two of Southern California’s largest real estate acquisition companies, where primary transactions included buying and selling foreclosed and distressed properties. The effects of seeing people, many of whom were veterans having to immediately vacate their homes after decades of ownership through foreclosure, was heart wrenching. This was devastating and gave him a feeling of helplessness. Thus, birthing the nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization Hope To Change to help houseless veterans find a home that his organization would provide. This happens when you listen, understand a person’s needs, and have a heart to make a change.
Suzanne Ballenger
Chief Executive Officer
Suzanne is a graduate from Cal Poly Pomona & Cal State San Bernardino. She has earned her master’s degrees in Educational Counseling & Guidance and Administration Leadership. She holds California Teaching Credentials in School Psychology & Administration. Suzanne has a solid background in many areas, such Business Administration, Psychology and Counseling. She currently works as a School Psychologist, where she has extensive experience in human behavior counseling, special education assessments & mental health evaluations. She also has years of operating her own Contract Social Work practice where she works with foster & natural families, traumatized youth, and children with exceptional needs. She is deeply passionate about helping others and ensuring that all members of the community are served humanly, with respect & dignity. Suzanne brings a great deal of experience to the Hope To Change program.
Elaine Howard
Co-Founder and Chief Facilitating Officer
Elaine Howard is Co-Founder and Chief Facilitating Officer of Hope To Change.
She has extensive firsthand experience serving the Inland Empire community for over 30 years working with youth, elderly, and special needs adults. Owning and operating care facilities for over 15 years, she has proudly employed people within the community, giving them the invaluable capability to successfully work with a wide variety of individuals who need care.
Her pass experience as Director of Care Facility Services has served as a value asset in prepping facilities, provided patients and families with mental and physical support, health related instruction, preparing healthy meals, independent living skills, and education on adaption to disabilities or illnesses. Through years of ownership, education, and certified training, she has developed personal and professional relationships with directors, case workers and therapists. Elaine is proud to bring her expertise to Hope To Change, to make a change in Veterans lives.
