Leslie Fore
Did you know that there are almost 700 homeless women in Tucson? Did you know women are substantially less likely to be served in shelters and transitional housing? Did you know that the average age of homeless women at Sister José Women’s Center (SJWC) is around 60 years old?
Join the Santa Catalina Social Awareness and Justice Ministry as it hosts a presentation by Jean Fedigan, founder of Sister José Women’s Center, on the plight of homeless women in Tucson and how you can help. The presentation will be in the parish hall, 14380 N. Oracle Rd., on March 23 at 2 p.m.
Sister José Women’s Center serves approximately 150 homeless women a day, offering breakfast, lunch, showers, clothing and laundry services, a cooling center and a night program for 50+ additional women to sleep in safety. They welcome homeless women and their pets.
Jean has been a registered nurse since 1993. She began her nursing career at Tucson Medical Center. Beginning in 2005 and for a period of nine years, she held several leadership positions at the University Physicians Healthcare Network including: Vice President of Patient Care Services, Chief Nursing Officer, and Director of Ambulatory Services.
In 2009, Jean, with the help and support of Monsignor Tom Cahalane and Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, opened an Emergency Operation Deep Freeze program for women experiencing homelessness in an Assembly of God Church located south of downtown. It was open nightly allowing these women to spend the coldest of winter nights in a warm, safe environment.
In October of 2012, the Center became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with its own Board of Directors and opened as a day center. The Center was named in honor of Sister José Hobday, a Franciscan Nun who was a mentor and friend of Jean and Monsignor Tom. In 2017, Sister José Women’s Center relocated to 1050 S. Park Ave. in Tucson.
SJWC continues its commitment to homeless women by serving with compassion, caring and to love one another. It is a community built upon the spiritual and gospel values of compassion, dignity and respect, in a non-institutionalized setting.