Frequently Asked Questions

Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women & Children is a non-profit homeless services provider near Downtown Los Angeles. We are a non-sectarian program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc.

Our mission is to empower women and their children to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency, through housing, employment and support services offered with dignity and love.

We provide both crisis and bridge, and transitional residential services that empower women and children to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency. In addition to providing basic necessities and critical support services, we offer women the opportunity to rebuild their lives through case management, education and training, and employment services. Click here for more information about our programs.

At Good Shepherd Center, we have a unique approach designed not to just alleviate the problems of poverty, but to create permanent change. Most people have a vision of a homeless shelter as a rundown building on skidrow that has a huge hall of bunk beds. Our shelters and transitional residences provide single, double rooms and fully furnished apartments to our residents. Treating all of our residents with dignity, love and respect is the cornerstone to our philosophy. Case managers work with each resident to create a plan, set goals, and track her progress toward self-sufficiency. It is our hope that our residents' brief stay with Good Shepherd Center will be a chapter in their lives when they were given the time and resources to move past homelessness forever.

Only 37.2% of Good Shepherd Center's annual fund is provided by government agencies. The remainder of donations are from Foundations and Associated Organizations (30.5%), Individuals and Businesses (8.4%), and Miscellaneous Income (4.8%). (FY 2017-2018). Please help Good Shepherd Center serve homeless women and children by making a donation today.

In 1984, our founder Sr. Julia Mary was asked to help a new population of people living on the street – women. She was given an old convent in Echo Park and transformed it into an emergency shelter. That led to adding an outreach van to serve women and children living on the streets and alleys. Since that time, a Women's Village was built that has two homes, one for single women and one for mothers with children, as well as a semi-permanent home for mothers and children. Click here to read more about our history.

Each night Good Shepherd Center houses up to 93 women and over 50 children in four residences. Our crisis and bridge shelters can house up to 60 women each night. In addition, we serve hundreds more each year through our outreach and drop-in services.

Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women & Children provides housing for homeless unaccompanied women as well as mothers with children.

No. While many of our women have suffered from domestic violence in the past we are not a shelter dedicated to those fleeing domestic violence. However, we are able to serve this population as needed.

Yes. Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women & Children provides all of its services and programs free of charge to eligible participants. Women in our transitional housing program pay a modest percentage of their income for rent.

There are many ways you can help make an impact on the lives of our residents. You can make a cash donation or provide gift cards for clothing, shoes and food. You can also donate items such as new or gently used clothing, personal hygiene items, etc. Consider attending one of our signature fundraising events, or hosting a fundraiser at your business or home. Click here for more information about the many ways you can make a difference.

If your group would like to prepare dinner for our women on a regular basis, please call our Development Department at (213) 482-1834.

We can always use food for our mothers and children. Food Drives, Toiletry Drives or Gift Card Drives are greatly appreciated. Click here for additional volunteer opportunities.

We are located one mile west of Disney Hall near Downtown Los Angeles.

1650 Rockwood Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Click here for directions

Parking for Good Shepherd Center is available on Rockwood Street or behind the building, accessible through the alley. The alley is located between Rockwood St. & Beverly Blvd.

Click here for a map

Please call (213) 235-1460. Click here for more information on finding shelter at Good Shepherd Center.

We offer job assistance and employment counseling services to women enrolled in any one of our programs.

Food is available through our Languille Shelter on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:45 am – 2:00 pm. The address is 267 N. Belmont Ave. Showers, breakfast and lunch, clothing, bus tokens and referrals are offered as well.

If your question was not answered here, please contact the Development Department at (213) 482-1834.