As I finish my first week at SFC I am in awe of the gift it is to be here among the amazing staff and volunteers providing truly altruistic services to the most needy among us.

As food insecurity rises, and is now estimated to affect 1 in 5 people in Los Angeles, SFC has been here throughout the COVID pandemic, every day. We meet the basic needs of our guests with unique dignity. I am reminded and enriched with Pope Francis’ teachings, to provide compassionate care to all humanity.

A little about me: before coming to LA I lived in Bend, Oregon where I founded an organization devoted to peaceful solutions for contentious relationships through mediation and family therapy. I have been a clinician in private practice since 1990 in California, Oregon and Virginia and I served as the Executive Director of Healthcare for All Oregon, NAMI of Massachusetts, the Center for Human Development and St. Francis House in Boston.

St. Francis House was also founded by the Franciscans and offers a full continuum of services to the homeless from Soup Kitchen to Permanent Housing situated in a ten story building on the Common in Boston.

Graduating with an MSW from the University of Maryland, I am originally from the Metro DC area.

I am loving LA! I have three adult sons, an architect and aspiring actor, and my youngest is attending the University of Hong Kong graduate school.

I am so excited to contribute to the mission of SFC and the Franciscan values we embody.

Peace,