Rhonda Meister Named NASW Public Citizen of the Year

California advocate honored for her dedication to underserved and homeless

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is pleased to name Rhonda Meister as the 2007 Public Citizen of the Year for her advocacy on behalf of low income children and families and those individuals who are homeless or at risk for homelessness.

For the more than 20 years, Ms. Meister has served as Executive Director of St. Joseph Center, a comprehensive provider of support services for those who are struggling to overcome poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.  She has tirelessly advocated on a local and state level on issues surrounding poverty and homelessness.

Under her leadership, St. Joseph Center has experienced remarkable growth, with a four-fold increase in staff and budget and the addition of six programs to help meet the increasingly complex needs of low income families and homeless persons who rely on the Center’s services.  In the midst of this incredible change, Ms. Meister’s commitment to “planting hope and growing lives” has been unwavering.

Ms. Meister is also the preeminent voice on Los Angeles’ Westside for those who are poor and marginalized.  Ms. Meister has served as the Chair of the Santa Monica Task Force on the Homeless, working with the community to dispel myths and to bring more services to those who need it most.  After many years of involvement, she recently stepped down from the Executive Committee of the Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalition, which is a regional alliance of service providers and faith based organizations that are committed to ending hunger and homelessness through service coordination, public education and advocacy.

“Underlying all of these various activities is Rhonda’s determination to uphold respect for the dignity of every individual,” says Judy Alexander, associate director of St. Joseph Center.  “Her energy and commitment are an incredible gift to her community, her staff and to the many poor and marginalized men, women and children that her efforts have served so well.”

To interview Ms. Meister, please contact NASW Communications at media@naswdc.org.  For more information about NASW, please visit www.socialworkers.org. For more information about St. Joseph Center please visit www.stjosephctr.org.

Stumble it!