St. Mary's Center

What St. Mary's Center does

St. Mary's Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization headquartered at 925 Brockhurst St. in West Oakland, California, with roots tracing to 1939 work by the Sisters of Social Service and formal incorporation as an independent public charity in 1992. The organization serves two primary constituencies: adults aged 55 and older who are homeless or at risk of homelessness (many reliant on Supplemental Security Income of approximately $942/month), and low-income families with 3- and 4-year-old children in Alameda County. Its program portfolio is organized into senior housing services (intake assessments, housing navigation, case management, DMC-ODS certified substance use counseling), 24 units of transitional housing across three locations (Closer to Home, Presentation House, Friendly Manor), a community center offering meals, wellness programming and digital literacy (WeConnect), a QRIS Five Star–rated full-day preschool certified by the California Department of Education, and participant-led advocacy through the Leadership Academy and Hope & Justice programs. The organization also participates in the Coordinated Entry System and HMIS data tracking.

The business model is funded almost entirely through diversified public and philanthropic sources rather than service fees: Moving to Work operating subsidies through the Oakland Housing Authority that reduce transitional housing program fees; contracts with Alameda County Area Agency on Aging, Alameda County Behavioral Health, and Alameda County Health; California Department of Education and First 5 Alameda preschool funding (including a $50,000 Measure C award in September 2025); tax-deductible individual and corporate donations plus a planned-giving Circle of Hope; and in-kind contributions from partners such as the Alameda County Community Food Bank and Mercy Brown Bag. All direct services are free to eligible members, with a voluntary $1 per-meal contribution requested at the community center for non-members under 60. Distribution is in-person through five operational locations in West Oakland, supported by a housing hotline, email-based preschool enrollment, a walk-in community center, and functions as a local voter polling center. The organization is governed by a board of directors chaired by Nancy Rodriguez and led by Executive Director Sharon Cornu, MSHS, with a participant Council of Elders providing ongoing feedback.

St. Mary's Center has no proprietary commercial technology platform; its technology footprint is limited to HMIS-compliant data systems managed by a Data Systems & Compliance Manager and a publications repository hosting annual reports, strategic plans, and tax documents from 2021 to 2025. Capacity expansion is underway through a co-development with Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) to build approximately 73 affordable housing units for seniors at 3135 San Pablo Avenue, representing a roughly threefold increase over the existing transitional housing portfolio.

Name

St. Mary's Center

Legal name

St. Mary's Center

Website

https://stmaryscenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St. Mary's Center is a West Oakland 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing transitional housing, senior services, case management, food and wellness programs, and a QRIS Five Star preschool to housing-insecure seniors and low-income families, funded through government contracts and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services (Senior Housing and Early Childhood Education)

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK), Community-Based Senior Centers with Adult Day Services (HLADAIAJ), Caregiver Support & Education Programs (Center-Based) (HSABANAN)

Keywords

• Senior housing services
• Transitional housing support
• Early childhood education
• Community outreach programs
• Homelessness prevention services

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals and corporations, including matching gift programs that double or triple donations.
2. Planned Giving / Circle of Hope: Legacy giving through wills, estate plans, life insurance, 401K, or IRA beneficiary designations.
3. Government Contracts and Subsidies: Moving to Work operating subsidy through Oakland Housing Authority; Alameda County Area Agency on Aging, Alameda County Behavioral Health, and other government contracts fund programs.
4. Grant Funding: Funded by public partners including Alameda County Health, California Department of Education, and First 5 Alameda, including grants such as the $50,000 Measure C preschool award.
5. Gifts of Securities: Donors can reduce tax on appreciated stocks and securities by donating them to St. Mary's Center.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

St. Mary's Center is a nonprofit social services organization that provides transitional housing, senior housing navigation and case management, outpatient substance use disorder counseling, community meals and wellness programs, full-day preschool education, and participant-led advocacy for seniors aged 55+ and preschool families in West Oakland. Programs are delivered through five operational locations, with 24 units of transitional housing across three sites and a planned 73-unit affordable housing development at 3135 San Pablo Avenue with SAHA.

Product overview

St. Mary's Center is a nonprofit social services organization offering a coordinated portfolio of programs for seniors (55+) and preschool families in West Oakland. The core offerings include: Senior Housing Services providing housing access, case management, and counseling for homeless seniors; 24 units of Transitional Housing across three locations; Community Outreach with meals, wellness programs, and the WeConnect computer literacy program; and a Full-Day Preschool for 3-4 year olds (QRIS Five Star rated). Additional programs include the Leadership Academy for housing advocacy training, the Senior Advocates for Hope & Justice Program for policy advocacy, and the 3135 San Pablo Ave affordable housing development project in partnership with SAHA. All services are connected through coordinated entry systems, HMIS data tracking, and partnerships with Alameda County agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Senior Housing Services Comprehensive housing support services for adults 55 and older who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including intake assessments, housing navigation, case management, coordinated entry, and linkages to medical care and benefits.
• Transitional Housing 24 units of transitional housing across three locations (Closer to Home, Presentation House, Friendly Manor) for seniors 55+ transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing, with individual rooms, shared common areas, and comprehensive support services.
• Community Outreach & Services Community center offering healthy meals, individual support, group activities, and wellness programs promoting social, emotional, and physical well-being for seniors in a positive, inclusive, drug-free environment.
• WeConnect Computer Literacy Classes Digital literacy program teaching seniors computer fundamentals and online resource navigation. Participants receive a free laptop upon completion through a partnership with EveryoneOn.
• Senior Advocates for Hope & Justice Program Social justice program where seniors engage in advocacy activities to influence policy at all levels of government, focusing on preserving and building affordable housing, increasing income stability, and decriminalizing homelessness.
• Leadership Academy Annual cohort program for individuals with lived experience of homelessness and poverty, focusing on becoming informed, effective affordable housing advocates.
• Full-Day Preschool Full-day preschool for 3- and 4-year-old children preparing them for kindergarten success. QRIS Five Star rated, certified by California Department of Education, with learning centers for reading, math, science, music, art, and computer skills.
• Substance Use Disorder Counseling Outpatient drug and alcohol counseling services certified by the State Department of Health Care Services (Certification Number: 010102AN), including evidence-based smoking cessation program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92.5% of seniors housed by St. Mary's Center in 2024 remained housed more than one year later
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Mary's Center is partnering with SAHA to develop 3135 San Pablo Avenue with approximately 73 affordable housing units for seniors, including those experiencing homelessness. Both partners are committed to a robust community engagement process.
• Alameda County Area Agency on AgingcoreOthersPrimary funder of senior community center programs, meals, and wellness services.
• Alameda County Behavioral HealthcoreOthersFunds substance use disorder counseling and behavioral health services.
• Oakland Housing AuthoritycoreOthersProvides Moving to Work operating subsidy that reduces monthly transitional housing program fees.
• Alameda County Community Food BankmajorOthersSupports the food and nutrition programs at the community center.
• Mercy Brown BagmajorOthersPartner providing supplemental food to senior members.
• Roots Community Health CentermajorOthersHealthcare partner serving the West Oakland community alongside St. Mary's Center.
• UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing InitiativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Mary's Center participates in the Hope Home Study Community Advisory Board, informing research on homelessness.
• EveryoneOnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with St. Mary's Center's 'We Connect' computer literacy program, providing free laptops upon class completion.
• First 5 Alameda CommissioncoreOthersFunded the preschool with a $50,000 grant through Measure C for new child care funding.
• Alameda County HealthcoreOthersGovernment health agency providing operational funding for senior services.
• Hoover-Foster Resident Action CouncilmajorOthersResident-led community organization in the Hoover-Foster neighborhood collaborating on community events and advocacy.
• California Department of EducationcoreOthersCertifies the St. Mary's Center Preschool and sets enrollment priorities under the California State Preschool Program.
• California Department of Health Care ServicescoreOthersCertifies St. Mary's Center for DMC-ODS outpatient substance use disorder services (Certification Number: 010102AN).
• Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)majorOthersSt. Mary's Center seniors participate in CSH Lobby Day advocating for supportive housing policy at state and local levels.
• East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO)minorOthersResearch and policy organization advocating for affordable housing in the East Bay.
• Senior Services Coalition of Alameda CountyminorOthersCoalition advocating for senior services and policy in Alameda County.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Aspiranet: California-based nonprofit providing foster care, adoption, residential, and early childhood education services—comparable on the preschool/early childhood education side of St. Mary's Center's portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Housing: National nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator serving seniors, families, and formerly homeless individuals—comparable mission at much larger scale, with senior housing as a major program line.
• Catholic Charities of the East Bay: Regional faith-based social services provider offering housing, immigration, senior, and family services in Alameda and Contra Costa counties—overlapping service portfolio but broader scope and longer operating history.

Direct peers

• Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA): Bay Area nonprofit developer and operator of affordable housing, including for seniors and formerly homeless individuals. Direct co-development partner on the 3135 San Pablo Avenue project and comparable in resident population served.
• Abode Services: One of the largest Bay Area nonprofits serving people experiencing homelessness through housing programs, supportive services, and outreach—comparable in target population and service mix, but operating at significantly greater scale.
• Resources for Community Development (RCD): Berkeley-based nonprofit affordable housing developer and service provider for low-income seniors, families, and individuals with special needs across the Bay Area—directly comparable housing-plus-services operating model.
• Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS): Berkeley/Oakland-based nonprofit providing housing, behavioral health, and case management services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Alameda County—directly comparable mission, geography, and population served.
• The Unity Council: Oakland-based nonprofit serving low-income families and seniors in the Fruitvale neighborhood with housing, workforce, youth, and senior services—directly comparable community-based senior services model in the same metro area.
• East Oakland Community Project: Oakland-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services to homeless individuals and families in Alameda County—comparable in scope, geography, and homeless services model.

Regional players

• Bananas Inc. Alameda County child care resource and referral nonprofit supporting quality early childhood education programs—comparably focused on the same regional preschool market St. Mary's Center serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC87Y2kMwi2Sc98OtBPH6-ew
• Facebookfacebook.com/StMarysCenter.SMC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st.-mary's-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/stmaryscenteroakland
• Xx.com/StMarysOak

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 St. Mary's Center