DETROIT, Mich., August 24, 2023 — Pope Francis Center announced several board and executive changes as it prepares for next year’s opening of the Bridge Housing Campus, a first-of-its-kind project to address the city’s issue of chronic homelessness.
The organization, which serves nearly 200 people experiencing homelessness a day, has strengthened its ties with key business and community groups by adding six new board members who are well known for their professional acumen and dedication to serving others. New board members are:
David Blaszkiewicz, CEO of Invest Detroit
Ian Conyers, Head of Community Affairs, Amazon
Stephen Cugliari, Trustee, J. Addison Bartush & Marion M. Bartush Family Foundation
Eric B. Larson, CEO, Downtown Detroit Partnership
Fr. Tom McClain, SJ, Jesuit Superior, Metro Detroit.
Dr. Asha Shajahan, MD, Physician, Medical Director & Associate Professor, Corewell Health
“I am proud to welcome these community leaders to our already strong board of directors. Their insights and contributions will be invaluable as we add new facilities, services and staff to help even more people overcome chronic homelessness,” said Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ, whose role is changing from executive director to president and CEO of Pope Francis Center.
The Pope Francis Center board elected Fr. Tim to his new position earlier this month. The move reflects Fr. Tim’s growing oversight and strategic responsibilities for the extended organization. He had served as executive director since June 2015. Pope Francis Center is launching a search for a new executive director, who will oversee daily operations of both the Bridge Housing Campus and the existing day shelter on St Antoine Street in Detroit.
“Anyone who has met Fr. Tim knows about his passion for helping the poor and marginalized,” said Jim Vella, chairman, Pope Francis Center board of directors. “In electing Fr. Tim as president and CEO, the board is recognizing his talents for strategic leadership and the role he is playing in transforming Pope Francis Center into a regional center of excellence for ending chronic homelessness.”
After starting construction in April 2022, Pope Francis Center is entering the final phase of Bridge Housing Campus construction. Located in the Core City neighborhood, the Campus will provide 40 apartments along with intensive medical, respite, psychological, addiction, social and job-readiness services to residents as they prepare for permanent, supportive housing. Pope Francis Center has raised $37 million of the $40 million needed for construction and initial operating costs.
Click here for photos of the new board members.
Background:
Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, the Pope Francis Center provides vital services to the city’s homeless. On an average day, we welcome nearly 200 guests and provide them with nutritious meals, showers, laundry and access to doctors, dentists, lawyers, housing providers, and job training through our free clinics. We have been serving Detroit’s most vulnerable citizens since 1990, and we are committed to eradicating chronic homelessness in our city. For more information, popefranciscenter.org. You can also follow Pope Francis Center on Facebook and Instagram.