About Us
Providence Foundation's current programs offer a variety of supportive services for children, families, seniors, and the homeless in the BVHP community. While several of the programs focus on youth services, the needs of very low-income seniors, including minority seniors and the frail or disabled elderly, are the central focus of the Foundation's Senior Housing Project started in 2006, now complete and ready for occupancy of 50 low-income seniors.
SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Board of Directors:
James Blanding, President
Bernadetta Anthony
Alpha Buie
Cynthia Moten
Lanita Williams, Treasurer
Danielle Sellers
O'Dell Johnson
Inhouse Staff:
Administration Office
4601 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94124
Main: 415.206.0263
Fax: 415.206.9284
Helen R. LaMar
Executive Director
Silvester Nobleza
Executive Assistant
Programs Office
1218 Mendell Street
San Francisco, CA 94124
Main: 415.642.0234
Fax: 415-642-0156
Patricia Doyle
Director of Programs Operations
Diana Henderson
Administrative Assistant
Shucrita Jones
Supervisor - PBC & Storage
Lamar Simpson
Supervisor - Bethel
Latrice Holloman
Supervisor - First Friendship Shelter
Robyn Hodges
Case Manager
Armstrong Place Senior Housing
Rodel Ramos
Case Manager
Claudis Johnson (LCSW)
Brittney Doyle
Services Coordinator
Bayview Hill Gardens
Tiffany Davis
Youth Services Coordinator
Helen LaMar, Executive Director
Providence Foundation of San Francisco
With over 40 years of experience in finance and administrative operations, Ms. Helen R. LaMar is the Executive Director of the Providence Foundation of San Francisco. She is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and she holds several banking credentials from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Federal Home Loan Bank in Washington, C. During her successful 24-year career as a Federal Reserve Bank Examiner, Ms. LaMar traveled to over 75% of the cities in the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. Little did she know these travels would lay the foundation for her work at Providence Foundation, deepening her appreciation for racial, ethnic and cultural differences and increasing her compassion for those facinglife challenges.
Ms. LaMar has been with the Providence Foundation since it was founded in 1997, first serving as a member of the Board of Directors and as of 2004, as the Executive Director.
She works tirelessly to secure funding from private donors, as well as local, state and federal governments to support and implement programs for low-income individuals and families, older adults, at-risk youth, homeless, and other vulnerable populations. The Providence Foundation operates three homeless shelters, provides after school programs and a summer learning program for at risk youth. It also provides general management services and fiscal oversight for two other San Francisco non-profits, the Ingleside Community Center and Wise Health, to assist them with qualifying for and obtaining funding.
Under Ms. LaMar’s leadership, the Providence Foundation has constructed two housing complexes, Providence Senior Housing and Bayview Hill Gardens. As a result, 50 low-income seniors and 73 formerly homeless individuals and families of the Bayview Hunters Point Community now have a place to call home. Wrap around services such as job skill development, financial literacy training and health resources are available at these facilities to foster the well-being of residents and promote their connection to the community.
Ms. LaMar’s long-standing commitment to improving access to affordable housing and education goes beyond her contributions at the Providence Foundation. She holds positions in key community development organizations, such as the Community Design Center and Tabernacle Community Development Corporation (TCDC). The TCDC has completed three affordable housing complexes and has two parcels on Candlestick to build 102 units of housing for homeless families. Ms. LaMar is also an active member of the San Francisco Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, which awards $9,000 annually to college-bound students, she serves as the Chief Financial Officer on the San Francisco Alumnae Delta Community Foundation (SFADCF). She has been a dedicated member of Providence Baptist Church of San Francisco for 23 years, serving in many capacities for various church auxiliaries and the Board of trustees. While she is proud of her many accomplishments, Ms. LaMar finds there is no greater feeling than having children run up to her and thank her and the Providence Foundation staff for providing them with food, shelter, clothing or cherished toys. She also enjoys sharing her love of singing with others and often performs at Bay Area functions.