In October 2003, Sunny Hills Children’s Garden hired Zara Babitzke , MA , (also the creator of AHO Project), to design and implement the first housing program for young adults 18-22 years exiting foster care and residential placement in Marin County . This program, the Hamilton Transitional Housing Program was the first of it’s kind in the County. Zara also created the first “bridge program”, (a readiness for independent living program), for Sunny Hills residents so they could transition successfully to independent living.

In January 2005, this program, the only one in Marin County designed to prevent homelessness of young adults 18-22 aging out of foster care and/or residential placement was cut, thus ending the capacity to assist a population of 265 homeless youth in this crucial transition to adulthood. Youth at 18, without family or a permanent home, are the fastest, largest growing homeless population in Marin County and the nation.

A non-profit addressing this critical need, was necessary. Therefore, on January 21, 2005 the Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity Project (AHO) was created, and the Articles of Incorporation for a nonprofit California corporation were certified. AHO is the only non-profit in Marin whose total focus is youth ages 18-25.

The mission of AHO is to provide stable housing opportunities, guidance (with mentor and peer partners) and community connections for the broad spectrum of youth who are homeless, (including young adults leaving residential placement and/or foster care) in Marin County .