Emi Carvell’s Story: Rooted in Nature, Growing Through Service

For over 25 years, Emi Carvell has been a force of nature at St. Joseph Center. Week in and week out, you will find her in the Food Pantry moving with an energy and level of tenacity that would make you question her secret for youth. Her journey began in Yokohama, Japan, a vibrant port city where she grew up watching ships from around the world. Her father was a respected community leader and head of a major merchant federation who frequently welcomed visitors seeking advice. Guided by his wisdom to learn something she could offer that people would value, she learned English and built a career in international business.

A Bridge Between Cultures

Emi’s background in international marketing included being hired by Marriott International Inc. Headquarters to represent dozens of hotels for international guests. Growing up in Japan and working across borders taught her that how we negotiate, build trust, and define success varies deeply from one culture to another. This global perspective has made her mindful of her interactions. She often reviews her daily conversations to ensure she is truly understood, viewing every exchange as an opportunity to grow as both a communicator and a human being.

Healing Through the Earth

Emi’s heart is in the garden. After years in the corporate world, she chose to channel her skills and discipline into community and the natural world. She completed rigorous training to become a Master Gardener with the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR). This role requires 50 plus hours of science based instruction and a deep commitment to volunteer service. Emi has since logged over 27,500 hours of community service as a Master Gardener.

Her work now includes teaching sustainable gardening, soil health, composting, and wildfire protection education. She is known for her hands-on approach in neighborhood workshops for families. She recalled once giving a root bound orchid plant pot a firm kick to show her students that life is tougher than it looks.

“Pay attention to nature with respect and kindness. That is us. We are part of nature.”

For her, the earth is a partner that offers us air, food, and a sense of belonging. This reverence for the earth’s ability to bounce back has been the foundation of her own healing journey.

Brainpower of Resilience

In 1991, Emi was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor and was told she had only six months to live. She underwent a rare 18 hour surgery and spent 10 days in a coma. Emi did not come out of that experience with fear.

She persevered with a mission to live a life of purpose.

According to Emi, the challenge was a blessing. She says she loves a challenge because it taught her lessons no textbook could ever provide. It was a moment that brought her life full circle and solidified her commitment to giving back. Emi discovered that through volunteering and socializing, she could heal her soul, mind, and heart. Since then, she has poured that gratitude into her service at St. Joseph Center, bringing that same resilient spirit to every shift.

Compassion and Connection

In her early years volunteering at the Food Pantry, Emi felt unsettled by interactions with recipients who were carrying visible stress, frustration, or pain. It was a heavy burden to carry until she confided in long time volunteer Sister Kathy Stein. Sister Kathy represents the founding congregation, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and she helped Emi understand the hidden pain and complexity of people’s lives in crisis.

That conversation changed Emi’s perspective and led to a compromise. To protect her spirit while staying committed to the mission, Emi moved from the frontline to the stockroom. There, she continues to serve with compassion and care. For Emi, volunteering is about the responsibility of showing up and doing her best.

“To be a good volunteer, you have to be responsible. Once you have a commitment, stick to it, whether you get paid or not, and do your best. Then you learn a lot from it.”

One Community Beyond the Pantry

Emi continues to advocate for the planet through zero waste living. Her commitment to the broader community led her to join the Jewish Vocational Service Los Angeles (JVS) board in 2017, proving that shared values matter more than borders. She remains a wise, hopeful force, reminding us all that we are citizens of Earth and that every small act of service and every seed planted in healthy soil is part of a much larger circle of life.

As a Master Gardener and a survivor of immense life challenges, Emi proves that soil is a place of grit and transformation. Her commitment to showing up for the community is a masterclass in resilience. By treating our neighbors and our planet with respect, she reminds us that we all grow together.