Culinary event to show foodies, supporters inner working of homeless facility & provide first formal introduction to new CEO Deacon Jim Vargas
Father Joe’s Villages’ President and CEO, Deacon Jim Vargas, wants to treat you to a night of fine wine, delicious hors d’oeuvres and stunning panoramic views. The second annual Taste of the Village on Thursday, March 26, will take place atop the rooftop terrace of the 16th and Market permanent housing building to give an insider’s glimpse into the homeless provider’s operations and serve as an opportunity meet with the homelessness organization’s new president and CEO.
“Families rally around delicious food every night of the week, so that’s what we will do at Taste of the Village with our family of St. Vincent de Paul Village supporters,” said Deacon Vargas. “We’re proud to give an insider’s glimpse into the Village and our work to end homelessness, which is our goal and our sacred obligation.”
Last year’s inaugural Taste of the Village featured a three-stop insider tour of St. Vincent de Paul Village, along with comments on the power of the culinary arts from celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey. Guests were treated to a three-course gourmet meal designed by Freddie Evarkiou Culinary Arts Program students. This year will expand on many of those facets and provide what could be a first-time opportunity to meet Deacon Jim, who has been with the organization since February 17.
San Diego is home to more than 8,500 homeless men, women and families, making it the fifth largest population of homeless in the U.S. and the third largest for homeless veterans. In 2014, Father Joe’s Villages provided services to nearly 15,000 people, served up to 3,000 meals daily to the homeless and working poor and helped seven out of 10 people served by Village programs to exit to permanent housing.
Tickets to the March 26 event can be purchased online or by calling (619) 446-2108.
For more information on other services and programs, visit www.neighbor.org.
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ABOUT FATHER JOE’S VILLAGES
As Southern California’s largest residential homeless services provider, Father Joe’s Villages has been empowering people to achieve self-sufficiency for nearly 65 years. What started as a small chapel serving San Diego’s impoverished has grown into a cutting-edge provider of innovative housing programs and services. Father Joe’s prepares up to 3,000 meals and provides a continuum of care to more than 1,500 individuals every day—from infants and adolescents to adults and seniors. This includes over 200 children and over 200 military veterans. As an industry thought-leader, Father Joe’s offer innovative solutions to address the complex needs of the homeless, regardless of age, race, culture or beliefs. The organization’s primary goal is to transform lives and end the cycle of homelessness. To this end they provide housing, healthcare, food, clothing, education, job training and child development in an internationally modeled “one-stop-shop” approach. This mission is made possible only through the efforts of compassionate staff, dedicated volunteers, and generous public and private donors. For more information, please visit: https://www.neighbor.org.
