Don’t Criminalize Homeless Students
By Dr. Ryan Smith
Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent encampment executive order mandating the clearing of homeless encampments on state property, coupled with the start of the school year and a new Supreme Court decision, shines light on an often-overlooked crisis — the devastating impact that both homelessness and the criminal justice system can have on our youth. I know firsthand how housing insecurities, combined with a broken criminal justice system, can destabilize the lives of young people, pushing them further into systems that fail to support their complex journeys. As a high school student growing up in Los Angeles, I remember coming home after a full day of classes to find something unexpected on our door — an eviction notice. My mom, an educated single mother who worked tirelessly to afford our Culver City condominium, looked at me with sorrow in her eyes. Read More >>Related News & Media
St. Joseph Center Celebrates Opening of Berkeley Station in Santa Monica
St. Joseph Center celebrated the opening of Berkeley Station, marking a powerful example of what can happen when vision, partnership, and persistence come together to create real pathways home. This milestone reflects the collective effort of our Youth Resource Team and the many partners who helped bring this project to life.
Located in Santa Monica, Berkeley Station is a 13-unit, four-story affordable housing development designed by Brooks + Scarpa. Completed in March 2026, it is the city’s first modular housing project serving low-income families and transitional-aged youth, with supportive services provided by St. Joseph Center.
We are proud to welcome eight youth and families into their new homes, including Malik and his daughter, Naomi.
Dr. Ryan J. Smith Advocates for Radical Care with Dignity as Frederick Douglass Lecturer
St. Joseph Center President and CEO Dr. Ryan J. Smith recently joined the prestigious Frederick Douglass Human Rights Lecture series at the University of La Verne to discuss a roadmap for housing justice.
During the keynote, Dr. Smith explored the harsh realities of homelessness and shared his own personal journey. He reminded the audience that meeting this crisis head-on is not just about policy, but also about approach: “It’s not just what you do, but it’s how you do it. We believe in the power of radical care.”
Read More:
https://laverne.edu/news/2026/02/20/human-rights-lecture-explores-harsh-realities-of-homelessness/
Watch Full Presentation:
https://youtu.be/K7Qm8_dkQxU?si=vgfYvosLfxaiiwOZ
St. Joseph Center Brings Holiday Joy to Unhoused Families in South LA
St. Joseph Center hosted a holiday celebration for clients and families at their South L.A. (SOLA) headquarters on Dec. 15 as part of Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week and ahead of Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on December 21.
Source:
LA Sentinel
