St. Francis Catholic Kitchen
& Jesus Mary Joseph Home

The inspiration of founder Fr. Peter Carota and my growing relation with Jesus has kept me committed to helping our brothers and sisters with physical and spiritual support.

Be the Difference Individual Award Winner 2019 

Having been a lifelong admirer of St. Francis, who followed the teachings of Christ, I joined the board of St. Francis Catholic Kitchen in order to participate in following those teachings.

As a long time local business owner, I am proud to be part of the mission to feed, clothe and care for the hungry and to work along side such dedicated and devoted people who continue to serve our community by helping people in need in such a selfless manner.

My joy is to serve people in need. What a privilege it is to be able to devote an hour or two per day, using whatever skills that I may have, to help improve the quality of life for those struggling with poverty, hunger or homelessness. 

rcrowe@stfrancissoupkitchen.org

One of Richard’s favorite statements: “We have to start somewhere in meeting the needs of our guests who come to the kitchen. People can make healthier choices for themselves with a full stomach, some clean dry clothes and a hot shower.”

Each meal begins with Richard gathering all of the guests to quiet their minds and give thanks for the food. This simple prayer is a hallmark of the kind approach Richard takes with all the guests. The guests are further helped by providing direction to organizations that can assist with addiction, joblessness and mental health issues. As soup kitchen program director, Mr. Crowe is state-certified in the safe handling of food. Under his leadership, the soup kitchen has passed city and county health inspections every year.

In recent years, the success of Jesus Mary Joseph Home is in large part due to the work of Director Pat Gorman. She says, “All are welcome at JMJ. Through our program, we offer women and children pathways to stability in a loving, supportive environment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age or disability. Since our beginnings, a number of hospice patients found a refuge here for their final days on earth. Many former residents, both women and children, have returned to say ‘JMJ was a lifesaver’ and ‘thank you’.

Under Pat’s direction, the JMJ program focuses on providing 24/7 shelter, healing and support for woman and children who are experiencing homelessness. The goal is to guide them toward new opportunities in education and employment, and to help them locate housing. JMJ can also provide private daily personal care for one terminally-ill person at a time. To serve JMJ residents and hospice patients more fully, Pat completed the qualifications for State Board Certified Nurse Assistant and Home Health Aide. She is also fully qualified in homeless advocacy with a BA degree from UCSC in Community Studies and has 21 years of experience at JMJ.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz County, I grew up as a parishioner of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Capitola. My parents involved me in their devotion to Jesus’ Corporal Works of Mercy by feeding and clothing the homeless and visiting the sick.

In the past several years, I have served the local community as a peace officer and I have become well acquainted with the services that JMJ and SFCK provide, as well as the populations they serve. I have witnessed firsthand how SFCK, under Richard Crowe’s direction, provides a safe environment and offers consistent services to hundreds of people who often feel displaced and vulnerable. I am so proud and blessed to serve God’s people in my new capacity as a member of the board of directors!

A community is only as healthy as its weakest member and only as wealthy as its most deprived. I am honored to serve as part of an organization who meets people where they are by offering a meal, seat at the table, second chances and the opportunity to heal. Through my background and career in leadership development, social change and building relationships I hope to bring more visibility and partnership to this important work happening in our community.