We’re two weeks away from our first-ever Faith & Justice Day of Action! As we gear up for the event, EBHO would like to introduce you to our friends at St. Mary’s Center who will be leading us through the Community Speakers training. EBHO has supported the work of St. Mary’s for many years and we’re beyond excited to bring them into the fold as a part of our upcoming campaigns. Keep reading to meet these dynamic leaders!
Meet Our Friends at St. Mary’s Center
St. Mary’s Center (SMC) is a community of hope, healing and justice dedicated to improving the well-being of seniors and preschool families in West Oakland by meeting basic needs for food, housing, and social connection.
The SMC team builds on a strong foundation of direct service provision with participant-led advocacy that amplifies the voices of people directly impacted by hunger, homelessness, and inequity, to create a more just and caring society.
Services and Programs
- Transitional housing support senior men and women in their journey from homelessness to permanent housing
- Counseling, case management, and housing navigation prepare seniors for housing
- Money management and advocacy helps seniors remain housed
- Full-day Preschool helps families prepare 3- and 4-year-olds for kindergarten and a lifelong love of learning
- See why seniors look to the Regional Housing Bond to fund affordable housing, and read the July SMC Advocacy Newsletter to get a glimpse of their stories and Leadership Development
History with EBHO
EBHO has a long-standing partnership with St. Mary’s Center, with many of their senior advocates being veteran leaders in our Leadership Academy. In 2021, we collaborated to help SMC launch their own Leadership Academy, training 15 Alameda County residents with lived experience of homelessness to advocate for local policy solutions. We are now co-leading outreach efforts for Regional Measure 4, continuing our commitment to empowering community members and advancing affordable housing initiatives.
Speaker Spotlight
Ruby Rodriguez (she/they) — Hope and Justice Organizer
Ruby is a dedicated organizer with four years of experience at St. Mary’s Center. Her personal experiences with housing insecurity, discrimination, and displacement in Orange County have fueled her commitment to challenging systems that perpetuate radicalized housing, poverty and economic inequality. At SMC, Ruby empowers seniors who have faced homelessness and housing insecurity, helping them become powerful advocates and leaders within the community. Ruby’s approach involves amplifying these individuals’ voices through storytelling, leadership training, political education, and advocacy efforts. She works closely with them to develop their skills, ensuring they are well-informed leaders capable of crafting policy solutions that address homelessness, housing, and racial inequities. Through her work, Ruby is dedicated to creating a more just and equitable society where the most marginalized voices are heard and valued.
We are excited to have Ruby lead the Community Speakers Training during our Day of Action!