Transforming Lives - Building Community
Creating Change

St. Mary’s Center Village

Walking into the courtyard at St. Mary’s Center there is a sense of sanctuary, of welcome, of life.

St. Mary’s Center has purchased a permanent home, developed a lovely outdoor space and raised 98.3% of the $7 million dollar goal to create St. Mary’s Center Village.

Located on Brockhurst Street and San Pablo Avenue in Oakland, California, St. Mary’s provides a full range of services for extremely low-income seniors and offers a Preschool to children.
The outdoor space provides shade and safe respite for seniors without a place to live, fresh produce for those who are hungry, a climbing structure and bike bath for preschoolers, and landscaped and lighted parking for volunteers who help with the program. Inside - the offices, preschool, community center, kitchen and housing are clean, bright and accessible.

Steps Toward Home was St. Mary’s Center’s first capital campaign. In 3 1/2 years, over 600 donors contributed $6,887,486 to make this dream of a permanent home possible. Individual donors contributed $2,197,074 representing 32% of the total. Government provided 28%, Foundations 14% and Organizations 25%. On June 25, 2009 we dedicated our “village in the making”. It is beautiful!

Timeline to create St. Mary’s Center Village:
Fall 2006 Signed a lease with option to purchase 925 Brockhurst Street & 3208 San Pablo Avenue in Oakland, California
Renovated three buildings: Senior Services Building, Community Center & Preschool
December 2006 Moved to our new home
June 2008 Opened “Closer to Home”, a transitional housing program providing a step between homelessness and permanent housing.
November 2008 Completed Purchase of 925 Brockhurst Street and 3208 San Pablo Avenue Demolished Church Facility to make room for development of courtyard
January 2009 Developed Courtyard, Garden and Parking
June 2009 Grand Celebration Event
March 2010 Completed Purchase of 3202 San Pablo Avenue (Closer to Home)
Spring 2010 Developed new Preschool yard with play structure, raised garden beds, shade area and bike path
An additional $112,514 is needed to complete the project. If you would like to help, please call Executive Director Carol Johnson at (510) 923-9600 x 223 or visit ways to contribute on our home page.
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