Systems Change & Advocacy
Driving Change
Across Los Angeles
Systems Change
Strengthening Systems
Through Collective Action
For nearly 50 years, St. Joseph Center has worked to help transform the systems, policies, partnerships, and public narratives that impact individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty across Los Angeles.
Grounded in the voices and experiences of the communities we serve, this work advances system change through collective action that challenges barriers, strengthens collaboration, and drives more dignified, healing-centered solutions.
Policy & Advocacy
Turning Advocacy Into Impact
St. Joseph Center works to advance policies, strategies, and community-informed solutions that strengthen responses to homelessness, housing instability, and economic inequity across Los Angeles.
Ocean Front Walk Initiative
Strategy That Influenced Regional Response
Community-rooted outreach and housing strategies developed by St. Joseph Center helped inform regional efforts across Los Angeles, including Mayor Karen Bass’ Inside Safe Initiative and Los Angeles County’s Pathway Home programs.
This work demonstrated how relationship-based engagement and coordinated housing responses can help shape border approaches to homelessness.
Impact Focus
Measure A Advocacy
Supporting Policies That Strengthen Communities
St. Joseph Center helped educate constituents and support advocacy efforts connected to the successful passage of LA County Measure A, which invests in affordable housing, mental health services, homelessness prevention, and addiction treatment.
Impact Focus
Ocean Front Walk Initiative
Strategy That Influenced Regional Response
Community-rooted outreach and housing strategies developed by St. Joseph Center helped inform regional efforts across Los Angeles, including Mayor Karen Bass’ Inside Safe Initiative and Los Angeles County’s Pathway Home programs.
This work demonstrated how relationship-based engagement and coordinated housing responses can help shape border approaches to homelessness.
Impact Focus
Measure A Advocacy
Supporting Policies That Strengthen Communities
St. Joseph Center helped educate constituents and support advocacy efforts connected to the successful passage of LA County Measure A, which invests in affordable housing, mental health services, homelessness prevention, and addiction treatment.
Impact Focus
Research & Data
Research That Informs Change
Research and data partnerships help strengthen understanding around housing, mental health, and economic opportunity while supporting a more informed community response.
USC Price Partnership
Research That Expanded Community Insight
The USC Price Homelessness Policy Research Institute highlighted St. Joseph Center’s Ocean Front Walk initiative in the research brief Understanding the Ocean Front Walk Encampment to Homes Project, helping share lessons and strategies with researchers, advocates, and policymakers locally and nationally.
Impact Focus
Building Pathways Beyond Incarceration Policy Brief
A Model for Supportive Housing
Since opening in 2021, The Pointe on Vermont has helped demonstrate how stable housing paired with supportive services can improve outcomes for individuals with mental, physical, and behavioral health needs transitioning out of incarceration.
Impact Focus
Research & Evaluation
Using Data to Strengthen Community Response
St. Joseph Center continues to collaborate with research institutions and public agencies to evaluate emerging approaches, document community-based practices, and contribute to conversations surrounding systems change.
Impact Focus
USC Price Partnership
Research That Expanded Community Insight
The USC Price Homelessness Policy Research Institute highlighted St. Joseph Center’s Ocean Front Walk initiative in the research brief Understanding the Ocean Front Walk Encampment to Homes Project, helping share lessons and strategies with researchers, advocates, and policymakers locally and nationally.
Impact Focus
Building Pathways Beyond Incarceration Policy Brief
A Model for Supportive Housing
Since opening in 2021, The Pointe on Vermont has helped demonstrate how stable housing paired with supportive services can improve outcomes for individuals with mental, physical, and behavioral health needs transitioning out of incarceration.
Impact Focus
Research & Evaluation
Using Data to Strengthen Community Response
St. Joseph Center continues to collaborate with research institutions and public agencies to evaluate emerging approaches, document community-based practices, and contribute to conversations surrounding systems change.
Impact Focus
Convenings & Coalitions
Bringing Leaders and Communities Together
St. Joseph Center creates space for collaboration, shared learning, and community dialogue that strengthens partnerships and advances community-driven solutions across Los Angeles.
Building Black Futures
Conversations Centered on Community
Launched in 2025, the Building Black Futures salon series convenes philanthropic leaders, business executives, policymakers, advocates, and community members around issues impacting health, housing stability, and economic well-being.
Impact Focus
Coalitions & Community Partners
Strengthening Regional Collaboration
St. Joseph Center actively participates in coalitions focused on housing, homelessness, and economic mobility while also hosting community learning conversations with service providers, advocacy organizations, and public agencies across Los Angeles County.
Impact Focus
Regional Forums & Convenings
Creating Space for Public Conversation
Through salons, housing forums, and community conversations, St. Joseph Center has engaged more than 1,000 participants in discussions focused on housing justice, economic opportunity, and thriving communities, including hosting the 2026 Westside Mayors Regional Housing Forum.
Impact Focus
Building Black Futures
Conversations Centered on Community
Launched in 2025, the Building Black Futures salon series convenes philanthropic leaders, business executives, policymakers, advocates, and community members around issues impacting health, housing stability, and economic well-being.
Impact Focus
Coalitions & Community Partners
Strengthening Regional Collaboration
St. Joseph Center actively participates in coalitions focused on housing, homelessness, and economic mobility while also hosting community learning conversations with service providers, advocacy organizations, and public agencies across Los Angeles County.
Impact Focus
Regional Forums & Convenings
Creating Space for Public Conversation
Through salons, housing forums, and community conversations, St. Joseph Center has engaged more than 1,000 participants in discussions focused on housing justice, economic opportunity, and thriving communities, including hosting the 2026 Westside Mayors Regional Housing Forum.
Impact Focus
Narrative Change
Elevating
Community Voice
Through storytelling, public engagement, and lived experience, St. Joseph Center works to deepen understanding around homelessness and poverty while centering dignity, humanity, and community voice.
50 Stories for 50 Years
Launched as part of St. Joseph Center’s 50th Anniversary, 50 Stories for 50 Years highlights the voices, resilience, and leadership of clients, staff, volunteers, partners, and community members connected to the organization’s mission and history.
From the Frontlines
From the Frontlines shares reflections, lessons, and insights from practitioners, advocates, and lived experts working across housing, homelessness, poverty, and community care.
Public Education & Awareness
Through storytelling, media engagement, and public education, St. Joseph Center works to challenge stigma and foster more informed, compassionate conversations around homelessness and poverty.
