Father Joe’s Villages is San Diego’s leading homeless services provider. In the last year alone, the non-profit provided housing, medical and dental care, behavioral healthcare, vocational training and more to more 14,500 neighbors in need, including over 600 families and nearly 1,200 children.
Additionally, Father Joe’s Villages offers specialized programs and services for families and children. These programs include a range of housing options to movie families into homes as quickly as possible and comprehensive services to help parents regain self-sufficiency.
At the heart of their family services is the Therapeutic Childcare Center. The Center is unique because it combines traditional childcare with behavioral health services to close developmental gaps that commonly exist between children who are homeless and their housed peers. Without the specialized interventions of Father Joe’s Villages, these children are four times more likely to become homeless as adults.
Last year, the non-profit unveiled the mural of a “Growing Tree” inside the Therapeutic Childcare Center to honor their “Children’s Champions” – donors who give at least $2,500 gift to support their children and family programs. The mural was painted by a talented student artist Beto Soto from ARTS (A Reason to Survive) and features laser engraved wooden plaques in the shape of flowers that honor each Children’s Champion. The Growing Tree not only brightens the Center’s lobby but is also a cheerful reminder to children in Therapeutic Childcare of the many people rooting for their success.
Therapeutic Childcare Program Manager, Jennifer Ryan shared with Giving Back Magazine, “To be successful in school, children have to also feel confident in themselves. Children gain this confidence when they feel like they matter to the world and the people in it.”
If you believe in each family’s potential to be secure, happy and healthy, Father Joes’ Villages invites you to become a Children’s Champion by contacting Wendy Endsley at (619) 446-2112.
You can also join Father Joe’s Villages for their annual Children’s Charity Gala on May 4th, 2019.
The Children’s Charity Gala raises funds for programs that help children reach for the stars.
Please visit www.neighbor.org/galato purchase tickets for this fun and philanthropic event.
