Chef Brian shares his remarkable journey from serving 19 years in prison to forging a new path through St. Joseph Center’s Bread and Roses Training Kitchen. With determination, resilience, and a passion for cooking, he turned second chances into real opportunities — from leading in professional kitchens to inspiring his community. His story is a testament to redemption, possibility, and the power of pursuing a different future.

Adriana, Mental Health Specialist at St. Joseph Center, shares how compassionate conversations and a flexible approach help families navigate housing insecurity. By centering dignity, resilience, and problem-solving, her story highlights how supportive dialogue can transform crises into moments of empowerment and hope.

Frejya, Web Developer at St. Joseph Center, shares her journey from single motherhood and financial hardship to building a career in tech through CodeTalk. Her story is a testament to resilience, education, and the transformative power of programs that open doors for women in STEM.

In the aftermath of the January 2025 LA wildfires, St. Joseph Center teams stepped up to meet urgent needs—providing shelter, food, and emotional support for families who had lost everything. This story highlights the resilience of our clients, the dedication of our staff, and the community’s outpouring of generosity as we continue nearly 50 years of service in times of crisis.

Breaking Cycles of Homelessness: Achieving Stability — By St. Joseph Center, in partnership with Melanie McConnaughy, USC Homelessness Policy Research Institute, and the St. Joseph Center Lived-Expert Advisory Board. This policy brief examines recurring challenges facing individuals and families experiencing homelessness and highlights strategies for breaking the cycle through stable housing and supportive services. Produced in partnership with USC’s Homelessness Policy Research Institute and the St. Joseph Center Lived-Expert Advisory Board, the report provides evidence-based insights into how we can create lasting housing stability.

Black Angelenos with lived experience face unique barriers to workforce re-entry. In partnership with USC’s Homelessness Policy Research Institute, St. Joseph Center’s Lived-Expert Advisory Board explores systemic challenges and solutions for equitable career pathways.

Advancing Equity: Housing Policy Solutions Informed by Lived Expertise.
By St. Joseph Center, in partnership with USC’s Homelessness Policy Research Institute and the St. Joseph Center Lived-Expert Advisory Board.

Black Angelenos face systemic barriers to housing and stability. From discriminatory policies to implicit bias, these challenges deepen inequities in homelessness. Centering lived experience in workforce development offers pathways to equity, dignity, and meaningful change.

Launching From the Frontlines, a new St. Joseph Center publication uplifting voices of resilience, healing, and hope—sharing real solutions to ending homelessness in Los Angeles.