WELCOME FROM THE BOARD

Dear friends of the St. Francis Center,

As members of the Board, we welcome you to the St. Francis Center website where you will learn about the wide range of services and events that bring to life our mission of service through compassion, not judgment. The Saint Francis Center is a vibrant community hub in the heart of North Fair Oaks in Redwood City, California. Over the past three decades a dedicated group of staff and volunteers have worked with community members to make sure that our neighborhood is a safe place where families can access the necessary resources to live with dignity. Whether a community member needs a hand with groceries and affordable housing or access to educational programs like GED and ESL classes, our goal is to make sure that the Center is a comfortable place where compassion speaks loudly.

You will notice that our site highlights our affordable housing programs. The cost of living on the San Francisco Peninsula has created a desperate situation for many who have called this area home for generations. As the housing crisis continues to displace middle income families (approx.. 118K for family of four is considered poverty level), families who live under even more difficult financial circumstances have nowhere to turn. The St. Francis Center has gently shifted our primary focus from direct services to acquiring housing that can be turned into homes for low and extremely low income families. Currently, we operate 135 units in the North Fair Oaks Neighborhood and Downtown Redwood City and it is our hope to keep growing the number of homes so that we can continue to walk with this special community.

Finally, and most importantly, you will notice that our programs create opportunities for members of the neighborhood and volunteers to work side by side, creating the conditions in which miracles happen. At the St. Francis Center you get a glimpse of Jesus’ vision for a world in which all people live life abundantly.

We hope that you enjoy our site and that you consider becoming a participant in the great miracle that is the St. Francis Center of Redwood City.

With love,
St. Francis Center Board

Michael D. Pierce, Chair

Michael D. Pierce joined the Board of Directors in 2007. He currently serves as President of Prodesse Property Group and Prodesse Investments, Inc. Michael has been active in the management, operation, acquisition, renovation and construction of rental apartments since 1979. He is also is a frequent volunteer for several housing industry groups. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Lisa Putnam Carlsmith

Lisa Putnam Carlsmith is CEO of L&M Putnam Development Inc which owns and operates multiple apartment buildings in the central valley. Lisa also has a vegetable gardening business and gardens with the children from Holy Family school at St. Francis Center. Lisa has a bachelor of science in Agricultural and Managerial Economics from University of California at Davis.

James Conn, SFC Endowment Trustee

Jim grew up in Pasadena, CA, and after his graduation from Santa Clara University, he worked as an investment manager. From 1979 to 1988, he was the Chief Investment Officer for TransAmerica. Aside from serving as a Board of Director and SFC Endowment Trustee, Jim gives his time as a math tutor for students at the St. Francis Center.

James Everitt

James Everitt joined the board in September 2016. He currently serves as the Director of Mission Initiatives & Institutional Planning at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton where has worked for the past 16 years. During his tenure at SHS he has served as religious studies instructor, school counselor, and Principal of the high school. He is the founder of the Sophie’s Scholars Program and the Barat College Access Fund, both programs that provide educational access and support for first generation college bound students. He has worked in Catholic schools for over twenty years.

Mike McKibben

Bio coming soon…

Sue Mitchell, Secretary

Sue Lehr Mitchell joins the Board with a rich and diverse background in corporate marketing and advertising, national sales management and over 25 years in residential and income real estate sales. A Bay Area native and SFSU alumnus, Sue relocated to Chicago and Denver in successful pursuit of corporate career opportunities. Sue is on the Board of Our Lady of Miracles and continues to Chair auctions on behalf of these organizations as well as the St. Francis Center.

Lynn Pierce, Treasurer

Lynn Pierce joined the Board of Directors of the St. Francis Center in September 2008. Lynn is currently the Vice President/CFO of Prodesse Property Group. Her experience encompasses management consulting, computer operations and general operations. In addition to the St. Francis Center Board, Lynn also serves on the Board of Directors of the Housing Industry Foundation.

Anne Buckley Putnam

Bio coming soon…

Kathleen Putnam

Kathleen Putnam studied at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She enjoyed a long career in hospitality and formalized her love for baking by completing the California Culinary Academy program. She is a Certified Arborist and is sitting for her California Certified Nursery Professional exam. Kathleen has been on the Board at the St. Francis Center since 2007 and volunteers there regularly.

Richard Fimmel, Emeritus

Richard Fimmel served on the Board from 1988 until 2009. He provided leadership as Chair of the Board from 2003 until 2009, after which the title of Board Member Emeritus was bestowed on him. During his tenure, he represented the Center in its purchase of La Casita, St. Clare Apartments and other properties through the years. Richard maintains an active real estate legal practice in San Mateo, and he continues to be very involved with The Center and its mission.

Carol Snyder, Emeritus

Sister Carol Snyder served as Chair of the Board from The Center’s inception (1987) until January 2003. Under her 16 years of leadership, the St. Francis Center flourished while focusing on its mission of service to families in need. For the past six years, she has been in a leadership position for her religious congregation (Franciscan Sisters).