As Senior Program Director of Catholic Charities Homelessness & Housing Services, Jose Cartagena continues his more than 30 years at the agency, providing vital guidance and support to countless San Franciscans in peril of or experiencing homelessness. He has held a wealth of positions within Catholic Charities including his first assignment as a housing advocate for the Central American community in 1987, a position created for him due to: his harrowing experience fleeing EL Salvador in 1980 and passionate community activism for Central American Refugees; his understanding of the challenges people and families without shelter face; and his ongoing advocacy for those experiencing hardship and instability in our community. Centered on housing, Jose’s other Catholic Charities positions have included Housing Case Manager, Housing Specialist, Program Manager, and most recently, Program Director for the Homelessness Prevention and SF HOME Programs. As a pivotal member of our Homelessness & Housing Services for more than 30 years, Jose has helped grow our Homelessness Prevention Program. Jose has been instrumental in developing partnerships with funders, community nonprofits, and across the City of San Francisco for the benefit of clients and Catholic Charities. He brings extensive experience in client service, team management, safety, regulatory compliance, community organizing, advocacy, and strategic planning in a dynamic and fluid environment. Jose an active member of his community and has held a number of Board and civic positions including with the Romero Foundation, 7th Street McClymonds Corridor Neighborhood Improvement Initiative, Season of Sharing Review Committee, Central American Refugee Committee, and the No Human Being is Illegal Campaign. He has won a number of awards including: Season of Sharing Award, October 2017 Telly Award 2009, Catholic Charities CYO 2008 CPA Family Eviction Prevention Collaborative Mutual of America Community Partnership, National Award Winner 2008 CLEAR (Community Leadership Academy and Emergency Response Project), Visionary Award 2008 Mutual of America Community Partnership, Community Partnership Award 2008 Neighborhood Improvement Initiative Award (William and Flora Hewlett Foundation) 2000