Wells Fargo Volunteers, CHIP, and Community Members Beautify Paradise Community
Under a clear blue sky in Paradise, CA, paintbrushes swept across the wall, power tools buzzed, and conversation filled Cypress Lane Family Apartments as Wells Fargo volunteers worked alongside Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) and community members for a day of service.
The volunteer day was part of Wells Fargo's #WelcomeHome initiative and a broader $100,000 investment supporting CHIP's Self-Help Housing Program and housing recovery efforts in Paradise. Beyond financial support, Wells Fargo employees spent the day working alongside residents and CHIP staff to help create spaces that encourage connection, learning, and a sense of home. Volunteers painted, assembled raised garden beds, and worked together on projects designed to bring lasting beauty and meaning to the Cypress Lane community.
A major highlight of the event was a vibrant nature-inspired mural created by local artist Caira Hart. Before the event, CHIP gathered mural Ideas and themes through discussions and surveys with community members, then later translated them into a beautiful piece featuring colorful landscapes and native wildlife. The mural aims to reflect Paradise’s beauty and the resilience of the community that calls it home.
Residents and volunteers also contributed to a collaborative banner project, sharing ideas and artwork inspired by gardening, nature, and community life. Inside the Cypress Lane community room, Wells Fargo volunteers led interactive budgeting and financial education activities, giving residents practical tools to support their financial goals.
The volunteer day took place at Cypress Lane Family Apartments, a 70-unit community, and the site of Cypress Lane Senior Apartments, which will provide 70 one-bedroom homes for seniors when completed. Together, these developments are helping expand affordable housing opportunities in Paradise while creating welcoming spaces where residents can gather, socialize, and thrive.
“It is a beautiful thing to witness the enthusiasm community members bring when they come together in a spirit of generosity, kindness, and connection. Each volunteer brought their own knowledge, talents, and determination to the day, and it was a meaningful reminder of how rewarding it can be to step outside of our usual roles, engage different skills, and show up for our communities in new ways. Experiences like this remind us that nurturing healthy communities is not only about the work we do, but about the relationships we build and the ways we choose to show up for one another."
— Kate Scowsmith, Resident Services Manager
CHIP is deeply grateful to Wells Fargo, Cypress Lane Family Apartments residents, local leaders, and community supporters for making the day possible. Special thanks go to muralist Caira Hart for bringing residents’ vision to life; CHIP’s Resident Services and Homeownership teams for leading activities; and the CHIP staff volunteers who shared their time and energy. Their efforts created spaces that will inspire growth and community pride for years to come. Partnerships like these strengthen Paradise’s long-term recovery and show what we can achieve together to support our communities.
