She's credited with transforming a gang-infested Peninsula neighborhood into a place where families can thrive.
Sister Christina Heltsley has embraced people and changed lives since she took over the St. Francis Center to serve low-income families 23 years ago.
"We wanted our kids who were behind in preschool to have a chance to catch up to become strong members of the community," she said."The idea is to raise the literacy rate of the whole family," she said. Heltsley also built a youth center 11 years ago. Today, nearly 200 neighborhood kids descend on it after school. The center's a haven from gang recruitment and a place to play and learn.Funding comes primarily from foundations and private donations from wealthy Bay Area families. St. Francis Center does not take government money, Heltsley said, because it takes too long to go through the application and funding process.
"At one level, it's a miracle. She is just an amazing person," said Pierce, adding with a smile,"Oftentimes, some of us involved with the center will sit around and talk and say she could be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company."
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