Dorothy’s Place

In 1982, a small group of Catholic volunteers distributed 65 egg salad sandwiches from the trunk of their car on Soledad Street in Salinas. Almost 40 years later, Dorothy’s Place is still serving the poor, homeless and marginalized in Salinas’ Chinatown area.

Named after American journalist and activist Dorothy Day, the organization is run by the Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra. Dorothy’s Place provides both essential services and trauma care to help people get back on their feet.

The non-profit runs four programs: Dorothy’s Place, which offers basic needs for hundreds of people annually, such as meals, showers, hygiene, new or gently worn clothing, laundry, and a place to receive mail, as well as a health clinic and trained counseling for trauma, substance abuse, and housing; House of Peace, a transitional living residence, which assists 24 people with medical care, job searches, financial literacy and benefits applications; Dorothy’s Kitchen, a full-service kitchen that cooks hot breakfasts and lunches twice a day; and Streets to Homes, which places clients in permanent housing. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dorothy’s Place is still serving twice-daily meals and accepting donations, volunteers and purchases made through AmazonSmile.

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