Legendary San Diego homeless advocate Father Joe Carroll has temporarily come out of retirement to raise funds for Father Joe’s Villages and St. Vincent de Paul.
Carroll retired nearly three years ago after decades as a television fixture asking for donations to the center, which spun off into seven villages caring for the homeless throughout the Southwest.
His successor, Sister Patricia Cruise, returned to her family and religious congregation in Cincinnati to pursue other work with her order.
A search for a new CEO is underway. Chief Financial Officer Diane Stumph is serving as interim CEO, and Carroll is helping out until a new leader takes the position.
“I think it’s just a matter of I really believe what we’re doing,” Carroll told 10News. “I mean, there are thousands of people who are helped every day by St. Vincent’s and we need to keep the machine going. We have to keep producing money. It costs money to put that food on the table, provide that housing and counseling, and medical care and dental care.”
According to Father Joe’s Villages, Carroll will mainly focus on fundraising and making appearances.
Carroll has kept busy in retirement, despite having to use a wheelchair. He recently endorsed Councilman Kevin Faulconer’s successful mayoral campaign and will serve on his transition committee.
— City News Service