St. Francis Center Staff


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Executive Director, Sr. Christina Heltsley, EdD.

Sr. Christina Heltsley joined the St. Francis Center in 2000 as its Executive Director. Sr. Christina is responsible for all aspects of the St. Francis Center operations. Sr. Christina has taught all grades, kindergarten through graduate school, throughout her career in education. She has been a school Principal, primarily in inner-city schools, and a Superintendent of Catholic schools.

Sr. Christina has a BS in Elementary Education from Edgewood College in Wisconsin. She holds two masters degrees-an MA in Educational Technology from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Administration and Supervision from the University of Dayton. She earned a doctoral degree in Administration and Leadership from the University of San Francisco. In addition to her wealth of teaching, educational leadership, and social service experience, Sr. Christina was honored as Redwood City’s “Citizen of the Year” in 2009. Sr. Christina joined the Dominican Order in 1976.


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Master Teacher, Sr. Susan Ostrowski, O.P.

Sr. Susan Ostrowski is the classroom teacher for Holy Family School at the St. Francis Center. She is a crucial member of this project and is responsible for ensuring that the students develop a strong foundation of literacy. Her qualifications and experience make her an unparalleled match for this position. Sr. Susan is a master teacher with 25 years of teaching experience in inner-city and poor rural schools. She taught in the Bronx for five years, inner-city Chicago for four years, the Mission of San Francisco for two years, Watsonville for three years and the Hope Rural School in Florida, serving Guatemalan and Haitian migrant farm workers, for 2 years.

Sr. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Edgewood College and a Master of Arts degree in the Teaching of Reading from Cardinal Stritch University. She has been certified to teach kindergarten through grade eight in the State of California. It has been said that “Sister Susan could teach even a wall to read!” She loving guides all of her students encouraging their moral, emotional, physical and intellectual growth.


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Sue Mitchell


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Jackie has been a part of St. Francis Center for almost nine years. She fondly remembers starting out volunteering in the donation room sorting the items as them came into the center. Within three weeks she moved to the front to help families as they came in for assistance. Soon she could be seen darting between the donation room to the front and to the clothing store all within a few minutes. She is key to the smooth running of the donation process and states firmly, “I love my job!” When she is not at the center she is managing the St. Clare Apartments for St. Francis Center. She also is a mom to twin teenagers!