St. Vincent’s opened the first Josue Homes for those who are homeless and living with HIV/AIDS in central San Diego.

The St. Vincent de Paul Joan Kroc Center is dedicated on August 31st to much fanfare. Named for Ray Kroc’s widow, Joan Kroc, who made a major gift to the project.

With seed money from the Helen Copley Foundation, Father Joe breaks ground on the new St. Vincent de Paul Center at 15th Street and Imperial Avenue.

Father Joe founded the Ladies of Charity, Auxiliary- an all-volunteer corps. Members assist in fund raising activities and volunteer their talents in many programs at the Center.

Father Joe leased rooms at the Travolator Hotel adjacent to the El Cortez to accommodate 200 people. Services there included overnight shelter, breakfast, basic medical care and a one-room school operated by the San Diego Unified School District.

Once Father Joe became the new director of the St. Vincent de Paul Center he began his tradition of handing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to those experiencing poverty and homelessness in San Diego.

Following 16 years of service, Msgr. Joseph Topping retired as head of St. Vincent de Paul Center. San Diego Bishop Leo T. Maher assigned Father Joe Carroll to take over and establish a “preferential option” for our community’s neighbors in need.

Msgr. Joseph Topping purchased land at 15th Street and Imperial Avenue for the future expansion of the St. Vincent de Paul Center.

St. Vincent de Paul Center moved to 1550 Market Street and was dedicated by Bishop Leo T. Maher on May 11th.

Father Joe was assigned to St. Rita Parish, San Diego, under the pastor, Rev. Frances Pattison.