What Justa Center does

Justa Center is a Phoenix, Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 by Rev. Scott Ritchey that operates the only resource and day center exclusively serving seniors aged 55 and older experiencing homelessness in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The organization delivers an integrated service portfolio through a single physical site at 1001 W Jefferson Street: a year-round day center (open 7am-2:30pm, extended to 7:30pm June-October) providing meals, showers, laundry, hygiene supplies, mail service, document storage, computer access, and a nurses clinic; specialized veterans programming (Better for Vets); a seasonal Heat Relief program; a Path to Housing navigation service; a Transitional Housing program (launched July 2024 with capacity for 80 participants in leased apartments for up to six months); and an Extended Care program providing post-housing household starter kits, Ambassador volunteer visits, and grocery delivery. On-site weekly services include pro-bono attorney consultations, Medicare and tax assistance, Social Security and AHCCCS/Medicaid enrollment, SNAP benefits help, and Veterans outreach. No proprietary technology, APIs, or digital products support the operation; the model is entirely personnel-driven case management and direct service.

The organization generates no revenue from service fees — all services are free to members — and is funded by individual charitable donations (qualifying for the Arizona Tax Credit up to $987 joint / $495 single), foundation grants from a concentrated cluster of Arizona-aligned funders (Arizona Department of Housing, BHHS Legacy Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Thunderbird Charities, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust), in-kind contributions, and volunteer support. Go-to-market is community-led: walk-in services, donation drives, word-of-mouth referrals through partner organizations, and earned media coverage (Fox News, Cronkite News, KJZZ, Arizona Republic, CBS News, ABC 15, New York Times Magazine). The organization is led by Executive Director Dean Scheinert following the May 2021 passing of founder Rev. Scott Ritchey, and is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors chaired by Rev. Katie Sexton.

Name

Justa Center

Legal name

Justa Center

Website

https://justacenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior Homeless Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community-Based Senior Centers with Adult Day Services (HLADAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Meals, Nutrition & Congregate Dining Day Programs (HSABANAM)

Keywords

• Homeless senior services
• Day center programs
• Senior housing assistance
• Veterans outreach services
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Individual donors contribute monetary gifts year-round. Donations qualify for the Arizona Tax Credit for Qualifying Charitable Organizations, allowing couples filing jointly up to $987 and single filers up to $495 in state tax credits.
2. Foundation Grants: Grants from charitable foundations including Arizona Department of Housing, BHHS Legacy Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Thunderbird Charities, and Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Justa Center runs a free, donor-funded Resource & Day Center in Phoenix that provides homeless and at-risk adults aged 55+ with meals, showers, laundry, hygiene supplies, mail service, document storage, computer lab access, healthcare (Nurses Clinic), and weekly on-site professional services (attorneys, Medicare, tax, Social Security, AHCCCS/SNAP, Veterans outreach). The center delivers a progressive housing pathway—Path to Housing, Transitional Housing (launched July 2024 for 80 participants), and Extended Care (post-housing support)—along with seasonal Heat Relief and a Senior Food Bank.

Product overview

Justa Center is a nonprofit social services organization (not a technology company) operating a single unified program model centered on its Day Center facility. The organization offers an integrated suite of services for homeless seniors aged 55+: core Day Center operations providing self-care, meals, mail, and healthcare; specialized veterans programming; seasonal heat relief; and progressive housing programs (Path to Housing, Transitional Housing, and Extended Care) that guide members from homelessness through permanent housing and post-housing stability. Additional offerings include a Senior Food Bank and curated Amazon Wishlist for donations. No technology products, SaaS, or API offerings exist.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Day Center (Resource & Day Center)
• Heat Relief Program Seasonal cooling center and heat relief services during extreme Arizona summers (June 1 - September 30), providing water, cooling space, and heat-related assistance to prevent heat sickness and death among homeless seniors.
• Better for Vets Veterans-specific services including the Veterans Emergency Fund for immediate needs, assistance with DD214 forms, VA benefits navigation, and specialized outreach (Veterans Fridays at Day Center).
• Path To Housing
• Transitional Housing Program A two-year transitional housing program launched July 2024, accommodating 80 participants in Justa Center leased apartments near the day center for up to six months, with wrap-around services preparing members for permanent housing.
• Extended Care Program
• Nurses Clinic
• Justa Cares - Senior Food Bank

Quantifiable outcome

• 130+ individuals served in first year (2006)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Arizona Faith NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in heat relief coordination, working with Justa Center and Maricopa Association of Governments to prevent heat sickness and death among homeless populations during Phoenix summers.
• Maricopa Association of GovernmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in heat relief network, reporting on homelessness trends among seniors in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Reports that homelessness among seniors is a growing concern.
• Meals on WheelscoreOthersProvides weekday lunches for Justa Center members. Holiday and weekend meals are prepared and served by volunteers and donors.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• UMOM New Day Centers: Phoenix-based nonprofit operating the largest homeless shelter and day services campus in Arizona. Justa Center's founder served as a chaplain at UMOM's overflow shelter before founding the organization, and UMOM anchors the same Human Services Campus area.
• Andre House of Arizona: Phoenix-based nonprofit providing day services, meals, showers, and case management to individuals experiencing homelessness. Operates near the same Human Services Campus and serves an overlapping homeless population with comparable service lines.
• Catholic Charities Community Services: Arizona's largest social services provider, offering housing navigation, emergency assistance, and senior support programs across the Phoenix metro. Competes for foundation grants and government contracts serving low-income and homeless populations.
• Lodestar Day Resource Center: Phoenix day center providing showers, mail, laundry, and case management to people experiencing homelessness. Closest direct competitor in the day-services model Justa Center operates.
• St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix: Large Phoenix-area nonprofit providing shelter, meals, and housing services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Operates competing day services and transitional housing programs targeting overlapping populations in the same metro.

Regional players

• Tohono O'odham Nation - Elderly Services: Tribal elderly services program in Arizona providing congregate meals, transportation, and case management to seniors. Comparable service delivery model to Justa Center's day center and nutrition offerings but serving a tribal-region population.

Broad incumbents

• National Healthcare for the Homeless Council: National advocacy and resource organization for organizations serving people experiencing homelessness, including health-related services. Adjacent to Justa Center's SDOH and clinical service approach at a national advocacy level.
• Meals on Wheels America: National umbrella organization supporting senior meal delivery and nutrition programs. Justa Center partners with local Meals on Wheels for weekday lunches; comparable in serving at-risk seniors but at vastly larger national scale.
• National Coalition on Aging (NCOA): National advocacy and service organization addressing economic security, health, and housing for older adults. Comparable mission scope around senior wellbeing but operating as a policy/advisory body rather than direct service provider.

Emerging players

• Poverello House: Phoenix-area nonprofit providing meals, case management, and housing support to people in need including homeless seniors. Comparable direct-service model at smaller scale and overlapping beneficiary population.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JustaCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/JustaCenterAZ
• Instagraminstagram.com/justacenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/justa-center-inc

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Justa Center