Rhonda Meister
April 9, 1949 - June 15, 2021
Rhonda passed away on June 15, at age 72, battling a recurrence of cancer. She was born on a farm in Fisher, Illinois on April 9, 1949 and in 1964, moved with her family to Granby, Massachusetts. After her graduation from high school, Rhonda entered the Sisters of Providence, later receiving her B.A. From Newton College of the Sacred Heart. As a Sister, she served as a hospital case manager, and later, on staff at Catholic Charities in Boston, before leaving the Community in 1982. The next year, after completing her Masters of Divinity at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Rhonda moved west. In Los Angeles, Rhonda first worked at the House of Ruth before joining the staff at St. Joseph Center, in Venice, as a case manager. In 1986, when the Founding Directors left to follow other callings, Rhonda was named Executive Director.
For the next 22 years, Rhonda led the Center with commitment, enthusiasm and inspiration. Under her leadership, the agency grew from a grassroots effort of 12 staff members in a Rose Avenue storefront to an agency employing more than 100 staff providing educational, social, vocational and mental health services from 8 locations on the Westside. Among her legacies was the establishment of Bread and Roses Cafe, a full-service restaurant serving adults and families without homes and additionally provides training in culinary arts to low-income workers. In conjunction with leading SJC, Rhonda was a respected advocate, both locally and nationally, who worked to establish effective public policy and raise public awareness of the needs of our low income, disabled and unhoused neighbors. She served on the Board and as Chairman of the Westside Coalition, on the Advisory Board of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the National Catholic Social Justice Lobby among other worthy causes. In 2007, she was named Public Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers.
In 1989 Rhonda married Paul Alperin, a clinical social worker. In 1991, they were blessed by the birth of a daughter, Mahalah. Paul preceded Rhonda in death in 2019. Besides Mahalah, Rhonda is survived by her brother Michael and his wife, Lori; brother Gregory and his wife, Sarah Hamilton; sister Michele and her husband, Gary Morse. She also leaves her nieces, Madison and Darah Meister and nephew, Spencer Nelson.
A Celebration of Rhonda’s life will be held at St. Monica Catholic Church, 725 California Avenue, Santa Monica, on Friday, July 30 at 10 AM. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to St. Joseph Center’s Education and Vocational Services.