Be the Reason Hope Has a New Home
A Capital Campaign to Expand Compassion and Restore Dignity
Capital Campaign
Because Homelessness Should Never Be a Life Sentence
The Fr. Virgil Cordano Center (FVCC) has been a sanctuary for Santa Barbara’s unsheltered community since 2018—providing meals, case management, showers, laundry, mail, and most of all, dignity. But with demand far exceeding our 3,000 sq ft leased space, it’s time to build the future our community needs.
We’re launching a $10 million capital campaign to construct a purpose-built 8,000 sq ft facility and create a sustaining fund that ensures our work continues long into the future.
Donors who wish to support the HOPE STARTS HERE Campaign can consider a pledge payable over a three-year period to be fulfilled by check or transfer of appreciated assets. For those who prefer to make a gift via the convenience of credit card can do so through our donation form.
Capital Campaign Steering Committee
Al Chavez
Fr. Joe Schwab, OFM
Fr. John Hardin, OFM
Fr. Larry Gosselin, OFM
Gina Bell
James Stretchberry
James Wolfe
Jeanne M. West
John P. Campanella
Martin Bell
Nicholas Weber
Rhonda Henderson
Sister Arthur Gordon, DC
Sister Paule Freeburg, DC
Suzi Schomer
Why Now
- Our current aging facility lacks the space, privacy, and resources needed to meet our clients’ needs.
- Over 80 people seek our services daily, pushing our ability to provide services and partner with other agencies to the limit.
- Homelessness in Santa Barbara is on the rise, particularly among people living in vehicles.
- Owning our building will provide the long-term stability needed to ensure uninterrupted services for years to come.
Our Vision: A Place of Hope and Possibility
At our new home on 4085 State Street, FVCC will provide
- An expanded day shelter
- Mental health and case management services
- Housing navigation and partner support spaces
- Showers, laundry, hygiene stations, and meals
- Safe, welcoming spaces for up to 100 individuals daily
Together with our volunteers and partner agencies, we’ll offer a comprehensive and compassionate path forward.
The Campaign
Your gift will help raise:
- $7 million for construction, furnishings, and equipment
- $3 million to establish a sustaining fund for long-term operations
Every dollar brings us closer to a community where no one is left behind.
HOPE STARTS HERE
Make Your Mark: Naming Opportunities & Recognition
All donors will be honored on a permanent appreciation wall. Significant gifts may include the opportunity to name key spaces within the Center—leaving a legacy in a place where hope begins every day.
Join Us
The new Fr. Virgil Cordano Center will be more than a building. It will be a lifeline.
Be part of the transformation.
Donate Today
Make a Secure Online Donation
Or contact Rosa Paredes, President & CEO of St. Vincent’s:
rparedes@sv-sb.org | (805) 683-6388
See Why Community Support Matters More Than Ever
KEYT News recently featured the Father Virgil Cordano Center and our $10 million campaign to build a new site in Santa Barbara. The story highlights the growing need for our services—and how community support is essential to making this vision a reality.
WATCH HOPE IN ACTION