A PLACE OF MIRACLES
Since 1986, we have been guided by our motto: “compassion, not judgment.” We partner with individuals and families in North Fair Oaks and surrounding communities to provide education, essential services, youth & community programs, and housing to create community connections so that every person can thrive.
Affordable Housing Month
Honoring Vision, Partnership, and Home in Redwood City! May is Affordable Housing Month—a time to reflect on what it truly means for every person to have a safe, stable, and secure place to call home. For St. Francis Center, it's also a time for gratitude, honoring our history, and renewing our commitment to housing justice in our community, as we have for the past 40 years. A Vision That Started Decades Ago Long before the affordable housing crisis reached the urgency it has today, visionary leaders at St. Francis Center were already planning for the future. Beginning in 1986 and continuing through the 1980s and 1990s, Sr. Monica recognized a troubling trend in Redwood City: working families, seniors, and individuals were being priced out of the community they called home. While many were just beginning to notice the early signs of a housing shortage, she was already taking action—purchasing and preserving properties with the understanding that housing is foundational to human
Celebrating 40 Years
I’m excited to share our very first audio letter in celebration of St. Francis Center’s 40th anniversary. In this special message, I reflect on our Center’s inspiring beginnings—how Sister Monica Asman’s vision started it all, and how Sister Christina Heltsley led us
The Legacy of 40 – Fund a Need
To mark our forty-year milestone, we’re launching The Legacy of 40 Fund—a bold, forward-looking campaign to raise $300,000 to support our most urgent needs in 2026. One of the top priorities is replacing our two aging vans. We’re gearing up for a fresh
North Fair Oaks Secures $1.1M For Magical Bridge Pocket Park
North Fair Oaks secures $1.1M for new Magical Bridge park The new 5,500-square-foot park will transform a vacant Buckingham Avenue lot into a sensory-friendly space for all abilities. A
Celebrating Our Volunteers!
On April 10, we celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Month with over 50 staff, board, supporters, and volunteers at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch and Paint at St. Denis in Menlo Park. This event honors the dedication of our volunteers,
A YEAR OF IMPACT & GROWTH
In 2024, our collective efforts impacted lives through various programs and initiatives:
886 individuals were housed in 268 homes, including 31 new families. In addition, we invested $742,659 in housing rehabilitation projects. 31,479 bags of food, totaling 377,748 pounds, were distributed, marking a 25% surge in visits compared to the prior year. 1685 households with 4,707 members were served, representing a 54% increase in households served over the previous year.
150 volunteers from SFC/HFS contributed 12,205 hours, and 50 volunteers from Siena Youth Center dedicated 2,919 hours to various community efforts. Holy Family School served 28 students over 180 school days. Student STAR test scores improved, with our 2nd and 8th graders making significant progress in strengthening the core subjects of math, science, and reading. Siena Youth Center served 270 elementary, middle, and high school students, providing 1,167 hours of programming and critical mental health services.
THE HANDS BEHIND THE HOPE
On April 10, we celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Month with over 50 staff, board, supporters, and volunteers at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch and Paint at St. Denis in Menlo Park. This event honors the dedication of our volunteers, who help our community thrive.
St. Francis Center’s 175 volunteers contribute 18,000 hours annually, providing vital services such as food, clothing, education, and housing to underserved families.
We deeply thank our volunteers, the backbone of our community, for their compassion and the joy they bring to the families we serve.
Let’s give a big ol’ thank you to our AmeriCorps Volunteer, Yahaira Vasquez, for pulling this whole thing together—and hats off to Chef Lesla for the delicious food!
OUR SERVICES
The St. Francis Center in Redwood City offers a comprehensive range of services to support low-income families and individuals in the North Fair Oaks neighborhood. Their programs address immediate needs and promote long-term self-sufficiency.
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