Our Impact

More women are experiencing homelessness as rising housing costs, inflation, and limited affordable housing make it increasingly difficult to maintain stability. For many—particularly older women living on fixed incomes—an unexpected expense, health crisis, or change in circumstances can quickly lead to homelessness.

For women living without shelter, each day brings uncertainty and risk. Access to nutritious food, a safe place to rest, clean clothing, hygiene, healthcare, and other basic necessities can become a daily challenge, while the loss of identification, medications, and personal belongings can create additional barriers to moving forward.

At Sister José Women’s Center, we provide a low-barrier, women-only sanctuary where women experiencing homelessness are welcomed with respect, dignity, and compassion. Through essential services, overnight shelter, healthcare connections, and individualized Case Navigation, we meet women where they are and walk alongside them as they work toward greater stability and create their own path forward.

Explore our latest Impact Report to see how your support helps women experiencing homelessness create a path forward. Together, we are providing safety, dignity, compassion, and hope to women in our community every day.

2025-26 Impact Report

Serving Up the Numbers

Fiscal Year 2025–2026

23,861

Guest Visits

17,486

Overnight Stays

111,000

Meals Served

Homelessness in Pima County

There has been a 68% increase in the number of people who are unhoused in Pima County between 2020 and 2025.

Graph: Pima County Persons Experiencing Homelessness

Persons Experiencing Homelessness in Pima County on the Night of PIT Count (2020-2025)

Persons who are unhoused

(Definition of unhoused: staying in an emergency shelter, transitional housing, safe haven, or unsheltered.)

2,218

total people

784

women

360

women who are unsheltered

857

adults with serious mental illness

875

adults with substance abuse disorder

289

adult survivors of domestic violence

Our Programs

At Sister José Women’s Center, we provide a continuum of care designed to meet women where they are—offering immediate support, safety, and pathways toward stability. As the only low-barrier shelter and day program in Southern Arizona exclusively serving women, we create a compassionate, trauma-informed environment where every woman is treated with dignity, respect, and care. Each day, we serve an average of 80 women through our day program and provide safe overnight shelter for 54 women—many of whom have nowhere else to go.

Our programs are built around three core areas:

Core Services

Meeting Immediate Needs with Dignity

Our Core Services program ensures that women have access to essential daily resources in a safe and welcoming environment. For many, this is the first step toward stability and healing.

We provide:

Nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, and to-go dinners)
Hot showers and hygiene supplies
Clean clothing and on-site laundry
Mail services, phone access, and internet
A safe indoor space for rest, including cooling and heat relief

In addition, women have access to:

On-site medical and behavioral health providers
Wellness activities and community support
Crisis de-escalation and compassionate care

Through consistent, caring interactions, we build trust and connection—often opening the door to deeper support services.

Overnight Shelter

Safe, Stable, and Pet-Inclusive

Our overnight shelter provides a safe place for women—and their companion pets—to rest, recover, and begin rebuilding their lives.

Each guest receives:

A dedicated bed, storage space, and clean linens
24/7 access to a secure and stable environment
A supportive, trauma-informed setting that promotes healing

Additional support includes:

Supper Club community meals
Extreme weather relief (heat and cold)
Opportunities for engagement and community connection

With 54 beds available nightly, our shelter offers more than just a place to sleep—it provides a sense of safety, belonging, and stability that is critical for women emerging from trauma and homelessness.

Case Navigation

Personalized Pathways to Stability

Our Case Navigation program provides individualized, one-on-one support to help women move toward stability—whether that includes housing, healthcare, employment, or other personal goals.

Using a Housing First, low-barrier approach, our Case Navigators:

Co-create personalized health and housing plans
Help women access medical, behavioral health, and social services
Assist with employment readiness, resumes, and job placement
Support obtaining vital documents (IDs, Social Security cards, etc.)
Provide financial assistance for housing, transportation, and basic needs

Most importantly, we build trusted relationships. These connections are often the foundation for long-term progress and lasting change.

Our Approach

More Than Services—A Community of Care

At Sister José Women’s Center, we understand that homelessness is complex. That’s why our approach focuses on both immediate relief and long-term stability.
We:

Provide a safe, consistent place for women to rest and recover
Integrate housing, healthcare, and supportive services
Reduce barriers so every woman can access care
Support women in building resilience and self-sufficiency

For many of the women we serve, Sister José is more than a resource—it is their first step toward hope, healing, and a more stable future.