History

1990

• Founders Gloria Gomez and Claudia Castorena serve a meal to homeless neighbors in need from a parish kitchen with a $5 donation and a group of seven volunteers.

1991-1996

• From that first meal, Martha’s grows to provide 300 meals every Monday through Friday at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Hall. But the founders had a dream of a standalone, full service facility.

1993

• Received the “Spirit of the Desert” award from KESQ TV3

1997

• Tom and Rita Martin donate the property for the new project.

1998

• Partnership established and develop of the 10-acre site begins.

• “Humanitarian Services to the Community” award from the Coachella Valley Mexican American Chamber of Commerce

1998

• Dan and LeAnn Dunlap pledge $1.5 million to begin construction.


• Martha’s Village & Kitchen formed to evaluate becoming a partner agency of Father Joe’s Villages.

1999

• “3rd Annual Hispanic Award” Involvement in the Hispanic Community award from La Prensa Hispana Newspaper


• “Women of Distinction Award’, “Women Helping Women” Soroptimist International of Palm Desert


• “Contribution to the Hispanic community and her work at Martha’s Village & Kitchen” Recognition by Senator David Kelly, Congresswoman Mary Bono and Assemblyman Jim Battin

2000

• Construction on the Dan Dunlap Center begins.


• Martha’s Village & Kitchen becomes a partner agency of Father Joe’s Villages.


• December 25 – First meal served at Martha’s Village & Kitchen


• “A Light in the Desert Award” from the Mid Valley Interfaith Council


• “Models of Unity Award” from the Baha'i Faith and Palm Spring Interfaith Council


• “Desert Business Achievement Award” from the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce


• “People Helping People Award” received from the Country of Riverside Department of Community Action

2001

• January 15 – Residence and programs open at the Dan Dunlap Center.

2003

• “Jefferson Award” Bronze Medallion

2004

• “Amar es Entragarse” Bishop Barnes Award from the Diocese of San Bernardino

2005

• Torrential rains in December impact area homeless who make their way to Martha’s Village in droves to sleep on the ground outside the facility at night and get showers and meals during the day. Led by Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert, the community responds with contributions to fund emergency shelter.

2006

• “2006 Nonprofit of the year” La Quinta Chamber of Commerce

2007

• A temporary emergency shelter opens to house an additional 100 neighbors in need. The structure has air conditioning and heating to address the dramatic desert weather conditions.


• “Spirit of the Desert” award from Episcopal Community Services

2010

• Founders Gloria Gomez and Claudia Castorena step down to seek new ministry. They believe that Martha’s Village & Kitchen is stable and that it is time to seek new challenges.

2011

• Father Joe Carroll retires, assuming role of President Emeritus of Father Joe's Village and Martha's Village & Kitchen.


• Sister Patricia Cruise appointed as new President and CEO after exhaustive nationwide search.