A poor kid from the Bronx, Father Joe’s talent for making money was used to help the poor and homeless.
In 1974 ordained a Catholic priest and devoted the next eight years to parish work.
The head of San Diego’s Catholic Church, Bishop Leo T. Maher assigned Father Joe to help the poor.
In 1987, Father Joe’s dream was realized with the first building, the Joan Kroc Center.
Two more building were constructed, the Bishop Maher Center in 1989 and the Paul Mirable Center in 1994.
The campus is home to families with children as well as single men and women.
Father Joe’s Villages consists of the Toussaint Academy, the Josue Homes, St Vincent de Paul Village.
The Village Place and 16th and Market Streets are permanent housing.