Yolo Wayfarer Center has new name, but the same mission.

Mission officials unveiled the organization’s new brand, Fourth & Hope: A mission to change lives, Wednesday night.

Community members and local dignitaries present at the inaugural Empty Bowls dinner seating, a break off from the traditional Yolo Wayfarer Center’s fundraising luncheon, were among the first to hear the Mission’s new name.

“It’s about hope for people. Period,” said Doug Zeck, Jr., Fourth & Hope’s Board of Directors president.

The president of Fourth & Hope’s Board of Directors, Doug Zeck, Jr., said the organization facilitates both sides of hope; those who need it and those who are able to give it. Zeck’s grandfather, Walter Zeck, was among the original founders and is the namesake of the organization’s Walter’s House.

“Our organization has come a long way from the small building on Fourth and North (Streets) and an old strip mall at Fourth and Court (Streets),” said Executive Director Leona Jull. “We have lived up to the legacy of our founders establishing a beacon of hope in our community. Lives are changed at Fourth & Hope.”

On a basic level, the organization’s change from Yolo Wayfarer Center Christian Mission to its new name and brand reflects the group’s address at Fourth Street and Hope Lane in Woodland.

“Wayfarer means wanderer, clearly this is not who we serve or what we provide,” said Jull on the name change. “We are a beacon of hope, located in a community of care, founded in faith, providing solutions to those desiring change.

“We believe that this change will amplify the mission of our organization, advancing our passion to empower individuals and families for positive change, setting us apart as a model program.”

Proceeds from the dinner, and Thursday’s two lunch seatings benefit Fourth & Hope’s six job training programs: Retail training at the Fourth & Hope Thrift Store (previously Bargains 2 Benefit, 607 Main St.); Serve Safe Certification in food management; landscape development; construction work training; animal grooming at Dixie’s Paws and Claws (615 Main St.); and Certified Nursing Aid training through the Yolo County Office of Education.

Nearly 40 homeless guests have found employment after participating in the training programs since March 2012 alone, Jull said. Joseph Hernandez is one of thousands who has received help from the mission. He came to Fourth & Hope after losing his job, home, family and, briefly, his freedom.

“All the people in here have saved my life, whether you know it or not,” said Hernandez, who found shelter at Walter’s House. With the support of the program, Hernandez eventually found employment and reunited with his family, who were in the audience Wednesday night as he spoke. “By continuing to support this organization, you’re helping the next family,” he said.

Every year Fourth & Hope provides about 70,000 meals to the hungry and homeless in Woodland and Yolo County, and provides shelter for 475 homeless people, according to Jull. The organization also has a substance abuse program.

“Maybe not all of us have (needed a hot meal or place to sleep), but we need to provide that safety net in our community,” said former Woodland Mayor Art Pimentel. “Woodland cares about its people.”

Also in attendance were Supervisor Duane Chamberlain and Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada.

The Historic Woodland Hotel was filled to capacity at Wednesday’s dinner.

“It’s amazing,” said Jull of the 200-plus turnout. “We moved to a bigger venue and it’s full. We’re very excited.”

Participants selected handmade bowls created by area students and artists to take home, and sampled soups from local chefs. New this year, the dinner included appetizers, hosted bar and silent auction items.

River Cats Chef Ryan Curry, of Ovations Food Services at Raley Field, prepared roasted corn bisque topped with popcorn. Kitchen 428’s new Executive Chef Lance Carlini prepared butternut squash soup with spiced creme fraiche.

Chefs from the Yolo Fliers Club made wild mushroom sherry soup and Maria’s Cantina made a chicken tortilla soup.

For more information, visit fourthandhope.org