From a small center handing out peanut butter sandwiches 60 years ago (long before Father Joe arrived), we have grown to a family of seven large "villages" in the Southwest. And we're still growing. Thanks to the support of our donors, volunteers and dedicated staff, as well as the determination of our clients, what began with a meal has evolved into a model program for serving the homeless. There is still much to do. We invite you to visit each of our villages to see our "one-stop shopping" approach. Join us in helping those in need achieve success.

Compassion: Our concern for others and desire to assist those in need.

Respect: Our determination to give each of our neighbors individual attention or special regard.

Empathy: Our understanding of, and sensitivity to, the feelings of others.

Empowerment: Our commitment to helping others help themselves.

Dignity: Our belief that all people are worthy of our esteem.

We believe in transforming the lives of those who request our help
by applying the values and principles set forth in our CREED.

We envision communities where everyone is able to obtain food, housing, healthcare, and education;
and achieve his or her full potential.

Our Mission is to help our neighbors in need. We provide a "Continuum of Care"
that promotes a pathway to self-sufficiency and independence.

The Strategic Plan and key operational strategies for the partner agencies that include Father Joe’s Villages, Martha’s Village and Kitchen, St. Vincent de Paul Village, and Toussaint Youth Villages.

Download the Father Joe's Villages Strategic Plan 2010 to 2013

Significant Dates in the History of Father Joe's Villages

• 1950 - St. Mary of the Wayside opens in San Diego, CA as a lunch line and thrift store for the homeless
  
• 1963 - Joe Carroll leaves New York for California
  
• 1964 - St. Mary of the Wayside changes its name to St. Vincent de Paul
  
• 1974 - Father Joe Carroll graduates from seminary and begins life as a parish priest
  
• 1980 - St. Vincent de Paul store on Market Street opens
  
• 1981 - East Village property purchased, site of current San Diego Village
  
• 1982 - Bishop Leo T. Maher appoints Father Joe to create a "preferential option for the poor"
  
• 1985 - St. Vincent de Paul Village and Father Joe Carroll featured on CBS’s "60 Minutes" Father Joe receives Headliner of the Year Award, San Diego Press Club
  
• 1987 - The first St. Vincent de Paul Village facility, the $12 million Joan Kroc Center, is opened, establishing the Continuum of Care, a "one-stop-shopping" approach to rehabilitation Father Joe recognized as an ABC Television "Person of the Week"
  
• 1988 - St. Vincent de Paul Village’s Joan Kroc Center receives "Architectural Record Commendation for Public Interest" from Architectural Record Magazine Board Father Joe recognized as "Fundraiser of the Year" by the National Society of Fundraising Executives First Josue Home established in San Diego
  
• 1989 - St. Vincent de Paul Village’s Bishop Maher Center opens
  
• 1990 - President George Bush recognizes the Village as 42nd "Point of Light"
  
• 1991 - The Golden Ad Altare Dei Award presented to Father Joe by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting
  
• 1992 - Toussaint Teen Center opens in downtown San Diego
  
• 1993 - Second Josue Home opens in San Diego
  
• 1994 - Father Joe receives the AARP Andrus Award
  
• 1997 - Peter F. Drucker Award presented to Father Joe by the NonProfit Innovative Physicians Reach-Out Program
  Village Place opens its doors
  Paul Davidoff Advocacy Award given to Father Joe by the American Planning Association
  Josue Home opens its third facility
  
• 1998 - Father Joe earns the Lifetime Hero Award, presented by The Arthritis Foundation
  President Bill Clinton bestows upon Father Joe the President’s Service Award
  Martha’s Village & Kitchen joins Father Joe’s family
  
• 1999 - Father Joe’s Villages receives gift of 627 acres of ranchland in Campo, CA
  The new Toussaint Teen Center opens
  
• 2000 - The Laureate Award for Lifetime Achievement presented to Father Joe by the Institute for Charitable Giving
  Father Joe’s Villages establishes Padre Jayme International Outreach
  
• 2001 - Martha's Village & Kitchen opens the $10 million Dan Dunlap Center
  
• 2002 –The Culinary Arts Program begins training Village participants for careers as chefs in the hospitality industry
  
• 2003 – The Village dedicates the Villa Harvey Mandel with 90 units of affordable housing in San Diego's East Village
  
• 2004 – Toussaint Teen Center is renamed Toussaint Academy to reflect a stronger focus on education
  
• 2006 - The Village Mobile Health Clinic begins offering basic medical services to uninsured and low-income patients throughout the community
  
• 2009 – Boulevard Apartments opens to provide 24 unites of affordable housing in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego 16th and Market opens to provide 134 units of affordable housing in downtown San Diego
  
• 2010 – St. Vincent de Paul Village celebrates its 60th Anniversary
  
• 2011 – On the date of his 70th birthday, Father Joe Carroll steps down as President and CEO and assumes the role of President Emeritus of Father Joe's Villages Sister Patricia Cruise is appointed President and CEO of Father Joe's Villages and its partner agencies St. Vincent de Paul Village, Martha's Village & Kitchen, and Toussaint Youth Villages
  

Sister Patricia Cruise was born in Edenton, North Carolina, and raised in Winchester, Massachusetts. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Russell Sage College (Troy, New York) and a Master of Theological Studies from the Jesuit School of Theology (Berkeley, California). The first of four children, Sister Tricia has three brothers and sisters-in-law along with five nieces and one nephew. Her parents reside in Cincinnati.

Sister Tricia served as President and CEO of Covenant House International, the largest privately funded nonprofit agency in North and Central America. The agency has 21 shelters in six countries and assists over 60,000 homeless children and youth each year. Sister Tricia provided overall management to the organization and was responsible for raising $120 million each year.

In addition to her work with homeless youth, Sister Tricia has over 25 years of expertise in education and academic administration. She most recently served as President of Seton High School in Cincinnati and also served as Executive Vice President and CEO at Red Cloud Indian School in South Dakota and Director of Campus Ministry/Student Activities at the College of Mount St. Joseph.

Sister Tricia served on the boards of The Glen at St. Joseph in Dayton, St. Joseph's Home in Cincinnati, and St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lincoln. She has been a consultant, mediator, and facilitator to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and an Adjunct Professor at the College of Mt. St. Joseph. She has been a member of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati for over 30 years.