WILLIAM H. HANNON FOUNDATION GRANTS PROVIDE FOOD AND SHELTER FOR LA HOMELESS
August 30, 2019  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

Three homeless service agencies in Los Angeles have greater resources to serve their communities, thanks to recent grants from the William H. Hannon Foundation. Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women & Children, St. Francis Center, and St. Joseph Center received a total of $55,000 from the Foundation to continue their care for the thousands of men, women, and children without homes across the city.

“This beautiful gift from the William H. Hannon Foundation will bring hope to many of our brothers and sisters who have no place to live and no place to go. I am grateful for this gift to the Church and I am grateful for the dedication of so many Catholics who are working to show love and compassion to the most vulnerable in our community,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez. “We know we meet Jesus in the homeless and the poor, as he said: ‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’ Let us continue to pray and work for solutions to the scourge of homelessness and let us do all that we can to be close to those who are suffering and to show them the kindness of Christ.”

The William H. Hannon Foundation was founded in 1983 by the late Catholic philanthropist and real estate developer William H. Hannon. The Foundation carries on Mr. Hannon’s goals of supporting Catholic churches and schools, as well as hospitals and social service organizations that are focused on improving the lives of people in communities Mr. Hannon helped build.

“The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority estimates that this year there are approximately 50,000 to 60,000 people homeless on any given night in LA County,” said Kathleen Hannon Aikenhead, president of the William H. Hannon Foundation. “Now, more than ever, we need to lean in and help our homeless neighbors.” 

Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women & Children focuses specifically on assistance for homeless women and homeless mothers with young children. They will use the funds received from the Hannon Foundation to support their Hawke’s Residence in Echo Park, a space where up to 30 homeless women can find shelter each night. 

At the St. Francis Center, homeless and low-income families can find a hot meal. This year, the Center estimates they’ve provided 110,000 meals and almost 22,000 grocery visits at their pantry sites. 

The food pantry at the St. Joseph Center (SJC) will also be able to reach more of the city’s hungry — they work with more than 10,000 low-income and homeless families each year in over 20 programs focused on outreach and engagement, housing, mental health, and education and vocational training. The foundation’s late founder, William H. Hannon, had a special connection with SJC, and current foundation board member David Herbst serves on the SJC board of directors.  

**PHOTO CAPTION: St. Joseph Center (SJC) board chair & president of St. Monica Catholic Schools Kevin McCardle and William H. Hannon Foundation president Kathleen Hannon Aikenhead show some of the food available at SJC’s market-style pantry, where visitors shop as they would in a store. (PHOTO COURTESY SJC)

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The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest Archdiocese in the United States with approximately five million Catholics. For the latest news, events and to subscribe for media alerts visit media.la-archdiocese.org. Follow us on social media at LACatholics on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Video archives and footage of Masses celebrated by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez are also available.