St. Mary's Center

St. Mary's Center

St. Mary’s Center, established in 1992, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing hope, justice, and healing to at-risk seniors and preschoolers in Oakland. The center offers a wide range of services including counseling, housing, nutrition, advocacy, and social support to more than 1,000 Seniors and 40 Preschool families annually. The organization operates from its headquarters and five service locations along the San Pablo Avenue corridor in West Oakland.

Services provided by St. Mary’s Center encompass 41 units of transitional housing, counseling, case management, housing navigation, money management, advocacy, and a full-day Preschool program. The Center has a rich history, dating back to 1939 when community programs were initiated by the Sisters of Social Service. The organization has continually evolved, with the expansion of services to support unhoused Seniors and the establishment of 41 units of transitional housing after the 1989 earthquake.

The organization acknowledges the invaluable contribution of the hundreds of volunteers who work with them annually, contributing to the giving and receiving culture that enables St. Mary’s Center to continue offering comprehensive services to the most vulnerable members of the community. The organization's staff comprises professionals and paraprofessionals in the fields of social work, community organizing, public policy, and administration, reinforcing their commitment to serving the community.

St. Mary’s Center, as a leading figure in Senior Care, remains a cornerstone of hope and support for the Oakland community, actively pursuing their mission to improve the quality of life for those in need.