Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is St. Joseph Center?
A. St. Joseph Center is a philanthropic, religious-affiliated agency that serves people of all religions and ethnic backgrounds. St. Joseph Center administers eleven different programs that assist low-income men, women and children - including working families and homeless persons - in becoming stable, productive and self-supporting.

Q. What is the relationship between the St. Joseph Center and the church?
A. St. Joseph Center was founded in 1976 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In 1986, St. Joseph Center became a 501(c)(3) corporation sponsored by the Sisters, with its own Board of Directors. Currently, three Sisters sit on the Board of Directors, and the Sisters retain ultimate authority over board membership and major expenditures. Annually, the Sisters review the strategies and programs of the Center to assure that they conform to the founding mission and philosophy. St. Joseph Center leases its facility at 204 Hampton Drive from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Q. What is being proposed?
A. St. Joseph Center proposes to replace the existing one-story school building located at 204 Hampton Drive with a new two-story building on the same site and to improve the parking on the overall site, which is shared with St. Clement Church, and Catholic Charities.

Q. Why is it being proposed?
A. The existing facilities are seriously cramped and not well designed for the programs offered at St. Joseph Center. The current building was constructed in the 1960s, and has deteriorated over the years. A new facility will allow St. Joseph Center to continue to provide the services to the community in a modern building.

Q. What programs will be located at the new facility?
A. In addition to St. Joseph Centerís administrative functions, including offices for executive staff, the community and donor relations department, facility operations and finance, the following programs are currently located at the Hampton Drive site:

• Family Center & Food Pantry - for working poor families
  • Provides parenting classes, English classes, job search assistance, computer and small business training, family advocacy and case management
  • Provides an after-school arts and tutoring program for elementary age students and youth mentoring for children aged 11-17.
  • Provides supplemental groceries
• Early Learning Center - for low-income and homeless children
  • Provides licensed childcare and parenting programs for low-income and homeless families
• Senior Services - for low income and homeless seniors o Provides case management, housing assistance and home visits

In addition to the programs listed above, St. Joseph Center will be providing the following additional programs:

• Early Learning Center - for low-income and homeless children
  • This program will be expanded to include a second classroom for an all-day, licensed toddler program
• Affordable Housing Program - for low-income and homeless individuals and families
  • This program supports Center clients in securing and maintaining permanent housing that is safe and affordable.
• Culinary Training Program - for working poor, low-income, and homeless individuals
  • Trains students in classes of up to 16 for positions in food service, offers job training, life skills coaching and job placement for graduates in the food service industry. This program has placed 80% of its graduates in stable employment.

Q. Will there be enough parking?
A. Yes. In April 2003, Crain & Associates, a parking and traffic expert, conducted a week-long parking study. The study indicates that peak demands for St. Joseph Center, St. Clement Church and Catholic Charities could increase to an estimated total of 78 spaces. The parking lots currently offer, and will continue to offer, 134 spaces. This study is being updated to reflect changes in the operating hours of the Center and the Church, and will be available shortly.

Q. Will there be a soup kitchen feeding the homeless on the site?
A. No.

Q. Will there be showers on the site?
A. No.

Q. Will there be lockers for the homeless?
A. No.