Nicola Hartmann: Executive Director, Sister José Women’s Center
Monday, September 30, 2024,
2:30pm – 3:30pm,
ASA Koffler Great Room And Zoom
The U. S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling upholding city ordinances prohibiting homeless encampments has renewed local concerns over the increasing problem of finding shelter for unhoused individuals. Between 2018 and 2023, Pima County saw a 60% growth in the number of such at-risk persons. Due to rising rental costs, many seniors on fixed incomes are finding themselves without housing for the first time in their lives. Domestic violence, serious mental illness, and substance abuse disorder are all contributing factors.
Living on the streets poses particular dangers for women, whose physical safety and possessions are always threatened. Of 2,209 unsheltered persons in Pima County on a given night, 627 were women and more than half of those had no established residence. Honoring the teachings and the compassion of Sister José Hobday (1929-2009), a Franciscan nun who dedicated her life to helping the poor, the Sister José Women’s Center, established in 2009, is a Tucson-based 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that exists to aid and transform the lives of unaccompanied women who are unhoused. It offers those women a stable and safe environment to recuperate from the daily struggles of homelessness and extreme poverty and is dedicated to creating a sustainable future for them by providing life-changing support and resources to begin their transition out of housing insecurity.
In 2023 Nicola Hartmann took on the role of Chief Executive Officer for Sister José Women’s Center after initially joining the organization as Chief Operating Officer. Before her time at Sister José’s, Nicola served as the Interim Executive Director for Watermark for Kids and CEO for Youth On Their Own. Earlier yet, Nicola served as the Director of Advancement and Corporate Relations at San Miguel High School. She has a wealth of experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors as well degrees in marketing and management.
Compiled by Marilyn Skinner, Academy Village Volunteer
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