News

For years, St. Mary’s Community Services has worked alongside individuals and families experiencing homelessness, providing meals, shelter, hygiene services, and compassionate support during some of life’s most difficult moments. Today, we are proud to announce a major step forward in that mission: the opening of Pathways Neighborhood. 

Pathways Neighborhood represents more than new buildings or additional beds. It reflects our community’s collective investment in dignity, stability, safety, and hope. 

Located on the SMCS campus in Stockton, Pathways Neighborhood expands our ability to serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness by creating a safer, more structured, and more supportive environment designed to help people move toward long-term stability and housing. 

As homelessness continues to impact communities throughout California, the need for coordinated, compassionate, and effective solutions has never been greater. Over the past several years, St. Mary’s Community Services has experienced significant growth as San Joaquin County and the City of Stockton asked SMCS to expand emergency shelter operations and increase services for vulnerable community members. 

The development and continued operation of Pathways Neighborhood would not be possible without the collaboration and partnership of organizations committed to improving outcomes for our community. St. Mary’s Community Services is grateful for the support and partnership of Health Plan of San Joaquin, San Joaquin County, Dignity Health, and the City of Stockton, all of whom continue to play an important role in strengthening services, improving access to care, and supporting vulnerable residents throughout our region. 

With the opening of Pathways Neighborhood — alongside the Zeiter Navigation Center — the SMCS campus will now provide more than 600 shelter beds, making it one of the largest comprehensive shelter campuses in California. 

But this work is about more than numbers. 

Every bed represents a person. A mother trying to keep her children safe. A senior facing medical challenges. A veteran searching for stability. A neighbor looking for a second chance. 

Pathways Neighborhood was intentionally designed to support not only emergency shelter needs, but also pathways toward healing and self-sufficiency. Guests will have increased access to case management, healthcare partnerships, housing navigation, workforce development opportunities, and community support services designed to help individuals move from crisis toward stability. 

This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of our staff, volunteers, community partners, donors, advocates, and supporters who believe every person deserves dignity, compassion, and opportunity. 

As we prepare to welcome guests into Pathways Neighborhood, we also recognize that this is only the beginning. Addressing homelessness requires long-term collaboration, accountability, compassion, and continued investment in solutions that work. 

In the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing more stories from Pathways Neighborhood, introducing the people and partnerships behind this effort, and inviting the community to see firsthand the work taking place across the SMCS campus. 

Together, we are building more than shelter. We are building pathways forward.