St. Francis Center is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation serving the needs of the homeless and near-homeless in downtown Los Angeles. The Center’s mission is to serve extremely low-income residents in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi.
After a three-month search, the board of directors voted unanimously to appoint Jose Ramirez as St. Francis Center’s new executive director. Ramirez, who was previously serving as the Center’s chief operating officer, began service in his new position on Nov. 1.
Ramirez, a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, joined St. Francis Center’s team in 2010. In 2012, Jose supported Eric Garcetti in his campaign for mayor of the city of Los Angeles. Since that time, he has remained involved with the mayor’s office to promote awareness around a number of issues that impact the “City of Angels.” Most recently, Ramirez was appointed to the Office of the Mayor’s Volunteer Corps.
During Ramirez’s tenure, the center has significantly enhanced their programs and services, doubling both the meals served and the square mileage of the service area of the “Family Well Being Program.” He also developed health partnerships with community organizations, including the Queens Care Health and Faith Partnership, Clínica Monse√±or Oscar A. Romero, UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic and LA County Health Department.
“While I’m proud of our team for keeping up with the increased demand for our services, it is also a stark reminder of how much more work we have to do as a community of hope, to uplift our brothers and sisters out of poverty,” Ramirez said.
