Honoring Deacon Kevin McCardle: A Life of Service for the “Dear Neighbor”
By Frejya Lindh
Deacon Kevin McCardle’s decades of service to St. Joseph Center demonstrate the power of meeting every person with dignity, compassion, and care.
Author: Frejya Lindh
Claire Stone Builds Community Through Service
By Frejya Lindh
Claire Stone volunteers at Bread & Roses Café and is helping inspire a new generation of community advocates through service, leadership, and local impact.
Emi Carvell’s Story: Rooted in Nature, Growing Through Service
By Frejya Lindh
Volunteer and Master Gardener Emi Carvell shares how nature, resilience, and decades of service have shaped her commitment to community at St. Joseph Center.
Serving Food, Sharing Humanity: Meet Yvette, a Bread & Roses Volunteer
By Frejya Lindh
Meet Yvette, a dedicated Bread & Roses Café volunteer whose story highlights the power of service, compassion and community at St. Joseph Center during Volunteer Appreciation Month.
SJC Youth Malik to Become First Resident of New Youth Housing in Santa Monica
By Frejya Lindh
Malik Jackson with St. Joseph Center case manager Melodie Vatandoust. Through the Youth Resource Team (YRT) program, Melodie and her colleagues supported Malik as he worked toward stability, graduation, and a brighter future. In his own words, Malik Jackson reflects on his journey with St. Joseph Center’s Youth Resource Team (YRT) program. At age 14, … Continued
Rachel’s Journey Home: From Living in Her Car to a Home for Her Family
By Frejya Lindh
The Journey of Rachel Gordon In the world of social services, we often talk about giving people a “seat at the table.” But for Rachel Gordon, a seat at a table wasn’t just a metaphor — it was a luxury she didn’t have. I felt safe knowing that I could finally have dinner with my … Continued
Building Stability on My Own Terms: Lauren’s Story
By Frejya Lindh
Lauren’s story is not about a single turning point. It’s about what stays with you, even as your life moves forward. For Lauren, success is not a simple “before and after.” Stability has unfolded slowly, built step by step through opportunity, support, and persistence. Her story reflects that reality. As St. Joseph Center celebrates 50 … Continued
Transforming Lived Experience into Art: Renee Westbrook on Homelessness, Healing, and “Shelter”
By Frejya Lindh
Performing artist Renee Westbrook uses her one-woman show, Shelter, to transform lived experience into art. Her story explores homelessness, trauma, resilience, and the path toward healing, stability, and hope.
Our Founding Sisters: A Story of Courage, Faith, and Action
By Frejya Lindh
This reflection traces the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, whose faith and commitment to the “dear neighbor” helped shape Los Angeles and laid the foundation for St. Joseph Center’s mission of dignity and care.
Are You Like Us Now? Jocelyn Rebuilds Hope Through Community
By Frejya Lindh
After losing her home in the Los Angeles wildfires, longtime Bread & Roses Café volunteer Jocelyn Cortese discovered the same community and compassion she had spent years providing to others.
