Hope Stories

As Director of Development, Carmella serves a team of fundraising and marketing professionals as we seek to connect supporters with the families we serve. Carmella considers it an honor and privilege to share the stories of the Door of Hope community (families, donors, volunteers and staff) and deeply believes our purpose in development is to facilitate mutually transformative relationships…for His glory.

Carmella earned her BBA from Ohio University. Her first love is accounting, starting out at Price Waterhouse, then Chief Financial Officer at banking institutions and later in secondary education. Carmella loves movies and limited series (especially true stories), audible books, jigsaw puzzles, walking, running and hanging out with friends and her twin daughters.

Emily Abbott serves as the Associate Director of Development where she builds relationships between Door of Hope and individuals, churches, organizations, and businesses. She also works closely with the Volunteer Coordinator. She is delighted to be working for an organization that makes a real difference in the lives of families facing homelessness.

Prior to Door of Hope, Emily used her fundraising, communications, and community organizing skills at the California Institute of Technology, U.C. Riverside, the Constitutional Rights Foundation, Bread for the World, Church World Service, and the Interfaith Hunger Coalition. She earned her BA from Occidental College. Emily loves reading, hiking, gardening and spending time with her husband and dogs.

Carla serves as the Marketing Associate where she creates digital and print visuals that communicate awareness of our organization and mission to end family homelessness. But more than that, Carla considers this role as an exciting opportunity to reveal all the goodness and glory that God is doing in our community. Whether it is the transformative stories of the families, the generosity of our donors, or the love from our volunteers, Carla loves to share how God is on the move!

Carla earned her BFA in Studio Art from UC Riverside, and a Professional Designation in Textile Design from FIDM, Los Angeles. Carla loves reading and working on various art + writing projects. She lives with her nerdy husband Andrew, her daughter Windy, and their three cats, Marlin, Mila, and Moo Moo.

Alli Burnison serves as Door of Hope’s Volunteer Coordinator, working with our community of volunteers and in-kind donors. In this role, she has the pleasure of collaborating with volunteers willing to share their time, skills, and passions in a way that furthers the mission and impact of Door of Hope. More than anything, she enjoys witnessing connections formed and trust developed between volunteers and residents.

Alli is a recent graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary with an M.A. in Theology and an emphasis in Islamic Studies. Prior to seminary, Alli studied Journalism and Intercultural Studies at Pepperdine University. Having lived in various cultural, ethnic, and religious contexts across South America, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa, Alli deeply values learning from diverse traditions. She is passionate about seeking justice in communities, and above all, hopes the Church acts as a conduit of peace. On a day off, Alli can be found sitting in the sun with a good book.