Seniors Celebrate Their New Home with Welcome Kit Deliveries at Marigold West
St. Joseph Center’s E6 outreach team delivered welcome kits to seniors settling into permanent homes at Marigold West in West Hollywood. Among them was Renee Westbrook, who first connected with St. Joseph Center over a warm meal at Bread & Roses Café and shared what it took to reach a place of her own.
The holidays felt like they arrived early when we visited our newly housed neighbors in West Hollywood.
St. Joseph Center’s team, led by CEO Dr. Ryan Smith and our E6 outreach team, gathered to bring welcome kits donated by St. Joseph Center board members straight to the front doors of seniors moving into their new permanent homes at Marigold West. Between green T-shirts, celebratory balloons, and lots of cheering, the real beauty was in the stories shared at those doorways:
Renee Westbrook first crossed paths with St. Joseph Center at Bread & Roses Café. Sitting at a table with a warm meal, she looked up to find Dr. Ryan Smith himself serving her water. When she had no money or food assistance, the Café sustained her spirit and saved her life, showing why fighting food insecurity is essential to ending homelessness.
“Dynamic leader and CEO of St. Joseph Center, Dr. Ryan Smith filled my cup with water during a meal. His sincerity and compassion somehow managed to break through my armor. That generosity of spirit forced me to let my guard down just enough for him and his team to help me find permanent housing.”
– Renee Westbrook
“His sincerity and compassion somehow managed to break through my armor.”
Tears filled Renee’s eyes as she opened up about her journey as a proud, strong Black gay woman inspired by the generations of women before her. She shared her gratitude that St. Joseph Center stood by her as she learned to navigate survival and accept help. Pictured in her new apartment at Marigold West, she holds a welcome home cup that symbolizes her resilient journey from Bread & Roses Café to a place of her own.
Sharon stood with her companion dog Libby, wiped away tears of joy, and remembered the exact moment an SJC outreach worker found her sleeping outside a nearby Sprouts and said, “Your angel is here.” Sharon spent years serving others as a case manager in the housing sector before high rent forced her onto the streets. Now settled in her home, she looks forward to connecting with Bread & Roses Café to share her love of the culinary arts and give back.
Reginald, a former football player, shared how good it felt to finally rest.
Hannah, standing in the elevator with her arm in a sling, simply said, “I have no words.”
Robert, who rarely speaks, while holding his new supplies, said, “I’m so grateful … I will take care of it.”
Moments like these powerfully remind us that food security and dignified community support matter every single day.
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