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December 12, 2023By Lauren Duca, Volunteer
Sister José Women’s Center is honored to receive the 2023 Small Business of the Year Award by Pima County. It was a record year for nominations, with more than four times the number of businesses entered in 2022. Of the 61 nominations, Sister José’s was chosen by the Pima County Board of Supervisors and Small Business Commission in the nonprofit category.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” said Janay Arenas, Chair of Pima County’s Small Business Commission. “Recognizing their contributions and supporting them is crucial for economic growth.”
As Pima County continues to grow, Sister José’s believes it is critical to support our neighbors who are unhoused, especially given the stark rise in the cost of living with rental prices increasing each year. According to Tucson Pima County Collaboration to End Homelessness since 2018, there has been a 60 percent increase in the number of people who are unhoused. This includes a new trend among older adults, who are unable to keep up with rent on a fixed income, a recent report found.
"The recent inflation in Pima County has made it increasingly difficult to transition out of housing insecurity and has placed many more people in a position of extreme poverty," said Nicola Hartmann, Chief Executive Officer of Sister José's.
About Sister José Women’s Center
Founded in 2009 by Jean Fedigan, Sister José’s is dedicated to the care and nurture of women who are unhoused in a welcoming and safe environment. We are a community built upon the values of compassion, dignity, and respect. For many of our guests, we are home. Our offerings include emergency shelter, meals, clothing, showers, day programs, case navigators, and a pet-friendly environment. For more information or to tour our facility, please contact Emily Bridson at [email protected] and (517) 490-0391.
Facebook: @sisterjose
Instagram: @jose_women
Website: www.sisterjose.org