A New Resource for Families: CAPC Camp Preschool Opens at SMCS
On Monday, October 5, the CAPC CAMP Preschool officially opens on the St. Mary’s Community Services campus, providing free, quality preschool for children ages 3–5 living in our family shelters.
The program is made possible through a partnership with the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) & Head Start San Joaquin and represents an important addition to the resources available directly to families staying at SMCS.
For families experiencing homelessness, access to child care can be much more than a convenience. Parents may need to attend appointments, meet with case managers, search and interview for jobs, participate in training programs or take other steps toward securing employment & permanent housing. Without safe, reliable care for their children, each of those steps can become significantly more difficult.
“For families experiencing homelessness, something as simple as reliable child care can become a significant barrier to moving forward,” said Krista Fiser, CEO of St. Mary’s Community Services. “Bringing preschool directly to our campus means parents can focus on finding employment, attending appointments & working toward housing while knowing their children are learning and being cared for in a safe, supportive environment. This is what creating pathways out of homelessness looks like—addressing the needs of the whole family.”
For children, CAMP Preschool provides something equally important: a safe, nurturing place to learn, build relationships & experience consistency during what may otherwise be an uncertain time in their lives.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow & thrive in a safe and nurturing environment, regardless of the challenges their family may be facing,” said Shauna Buzunis-Jacob, CEO of the Child Abuse Prevention Council. “By bringing CAMP Preschool directly to families at St. Mary’s Community Services, we are helping create consistency for children during a time of transition while also giving parents the support and flexibility they need to take important steps toward stability. We are proud to partner with SMCS & Head Start San Joaquin to make these resources more accessible to families in our community.”
The partnership extends beyond preschool. Families with children ages 12 and under may also access Respite Child Care, providing another layer of support as parents navigate the challenges associated with homelessness.
At SMCS, creating pathways out of homelessness means recognizing that families rarely face just one barrier. Housing, employment, transportation, child care, health care & other needs are interconnected. Progress happens faster when services are accessible, coordinated & brought directly to the people who need them.
The opening of CAMP Preschool is an example of what can happen when community partners work together to remove those barriers.
We are grateful to CAPC & Head Start San Joaquin for bringing their expertise directly to our campus—and for joining SMCS in creating more opportunities for children and families to move toward stability & independence.
To help families at SMCS access the resources, support & opportunities they need to move toward stability, consider making a gift today.
St. Mary's Community Services Opens Pathways Neighborhood: A New Chapter In Addressing Homelessness in Stockton
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.
Each year, Assemblymember Ransom of District 13 and her team recognize and honor women who are making meaningful, lasting contributions to the community through their leadership, service, and dedication. This year, St. Mary’s Community Services CEO Krista Fiser was proudly recognized as one of these outstanding leaders. Her unwavering commitment to serving the Stockton area and surrounding communities has made a significant impact, particularly in supporting vulnerable populations and strengthening local resources. This recognition highlights not only her leadership, but also the vital role St. Mary’s Community Services plays in fostering stability, compassion, and opportunity for those in need.
Celebrating Leadership and Community Impact
