Deacon Jim Vargas on Homelessness, Hope, and the Human Beings Behind the Crisis

Deacon Jim Vargas, CEO of Father Joe’s Villages, joins Dear San Diego for a powerful conversation about homelessness, housing, behavioral health, and what it really takes to move people from the streets to stability.

But this episode goes beyond policy and systems. Deacon Jim shares his journey from the Bronx to San Diego, how faith shaped his path, and why simply saying hello, volunteering, and listening changes how we see people experiencing homelessness.

Chapters:

00:00:00 – Welcome to Dear San Diego + Life Updates00:02:20 – Introducing Justine Murray & Deacon Jim Vargas00:04:06 – From the Bronx to San Diego: Jim’s Early Life00:07:35 – From Banking to Ministry: A Life Pivot00:11:11 – Leading Father Joe’s Villages00:14:05 – The Legacy of Father Joe Carroll00:18:26 – Innovation in Homeless Services00:21:12 – What Father Joe’s Villages Actually Does00:27:15 – Measuring Progress & What’s Working00:39:13 – Behavioral Health Surge & The Human Side of Homelessness

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