Union Station Homeless Services CEO to Retire in June 2016

Union Station Homeless Services Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Marvin Gross is retiring in June next year, the Pasadena-based nonprofit agency announced Friday.

Gross has been at the helm of Union Station Homeless Services for 21 years, during which he led the agency through an unprecedented period of growth.

During his tenure, Union Station Homeless Services expanded its services to become the San Gabriel Valley’s largest nonprofit serving homeless men, women and children. Today, the agency provides intake, shelter, housing and employment services, and coordinates with more than 60 partner agencies throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

“My time at Union Station has been enormously rewarding and fulfilling,” said Gross. “This is due to the outstanding, dedicated staff members and talented, compassionate Board members, volunteers and community leaders I’ve had the honor of working with along the way. I am grateful to everyone who has been my partner in this journey.”

Liz Trussell, Chair of of Union Station’s Board of Directors, described Gross as “a truly inspirational leader.”

“Since Marv joined the agency in 1995, we have grown from a single shelter on Raymond Ave to nine programs today – with a new facility scheduled for completion by fall 2016,” Trussell said.

The Board of Directors has organized a search committee composed of former and current board members. It has retained the executive search firm Morris and Berger to conduct a nationwide search for Gross’ successor.

“The firm will work with the committee to identify a candidate with a deep passion for our mission and strong leadership and fundraising capabilities,” Terry Krupczak, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Search Committee.

Gross will continue to lead the agency for the next seven months until he retires at the end of June 2016.

Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was established in 1973 when Alive Callaghan and volunteers from All Saints Church opened a storefront hospitality center on Pasadena’s Union Street to serve poor and homeless men. It is now part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to end homelessness in the community.

Headquartered at 825 E Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena, the nonprofit is recognized today as San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families.

Services to the homeless include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services.