Groundbreaking for New Ritter Center Building At 800 A Street with Mayor Kate Colin and Ritter Center CEO Mark Shotwell
What:
After 43 years at 16 Ritter Street, Ritter Center is breaking ground on a new facility at 800 A Street. Mayor Kate Colin and Ritter Center’s CEO Mark Shotwell will discuss the strides made in addressing homelessness and poverty in Marin. Tours will be available of this $14.5M investment in the future of our community. The new building is planned to open at the end of 2024.
“16 Ritter Street has served as Ritter Center’s site for 43 years, but we have outgrown our little yellow Victorian and temporary portables. The new facility will reflect our dedication to providing high-quality services, and our commitment to serve our clients with the utmost respect and dignity that every human deserves. The new building will also enable us to evolve with the needs of Marin County’s vulnerable children, families, seniors, and individuals experiencing homelessness and economic insecurity,” said Ritter Center CEO Mark Shotwell.
“The groundbreaking today is truly seismic. For those of us who know and have known Ritter Center over its past four decades, we understand the critical role they play in providing services to those of us in most need. This new building will enable Ritter to expand their services to reach many more people and to have a remarkable place that can serve as a beacon of hope and dignity. MCF is honored to be a contributor to this building and to Ritter Center’s profound mission,” said Rhea Suh, President and CEO, Marin Community Foundation.
Why:
The current building at 16 Ritter Street has limited office and medical space, no parking, outdated facilities, insufficient interior waiting rooms, and an environment that does not reflect our dedication to providing high-quality services. Currently, the staff operates out of offices at 16 Ritter and 30 North San Pedro.
Standing at nearly 14,000 sq. ft. the new center will have the following features: twice the medical exam rooms, modern healthcare equipment, dedicated behavioral health rooms, lab for onsite testing, treatment room for minor procedures, meditation and lactation room, off-street parking and EV charging infrastructure. The Food Pantry will have storage for twice as much inventory, a walk-in cooler/freezer, a dedicated entrance, two walk-up windows, space for 10 households to line up inside, and a large workspace for staff and volunteers.
Thank You:
Ritter Center is incredibly grateful for each and every person who’s helped them reach this groundbreaking moment, including:
- Aidan Lynch – Senior Field Representative, Office of Assemblymember Damon Connolly
- Andy Speigel – Capital Campaign Committee
- Bank of Marin
- Bob McCaskill – Capital Campaign Committee, Board Member
- Brian Colbert – Councilmember, San Anselmo
- Carol Angel – Board Member
- Carol Farrer – Capital Campaign Committee
- Catholic Charities San Francisco
- City of San Rafael
- County of Marin
- County of Marin, Homelessness County Coordinated Entry Program
- David Neagle – Co-Chair of Capital Campaign Committee, Board Member
- Debra Delaney – Capital Campaign Committee
- Department of Health and Human Services
- DPM
- Drysdale Community Foundation
- Eli Hill – Councilmember, District 2 San Rafael
- ExtraFood
- Fenwick Foundation
- Gabriella Skarka – District Rep and Casework Manager, Congressman Jared Huffman at U.S. House of Representatives
- Gruber Family Foundation
- Hearst Bay Area
- Heritage Bank of Commerce
- Homeward Bound of Marin
- Kaiser Permanente
- Katie Smith – Co-Chair of Capital Campaign Committee
- Marin Health and Human Services
- Marin Housing Authority
- Marin Independent Journal
- Max Perrey – Councilmember, Mill Valley
- Mayor Chance Cutrano – Town of Fairfax
- Mayor Kate Colin – City of San Rafael
- Operation Access
- Rachel Kertz – Councilmember, District 4 San Rafael
- San Rafael Police Department
- St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin
- Summer Cassell – District Representative, Senator Mike McGuire
- Tim Biddle – Board Member
- Tina McArthur – Capital Campaign Committee
- Urban Vision Alliance
- Vice-Mayor Holli P. Their – Town of Tiburon
- Vivalon
Additionally, Ritter Center would like to thank their staff and volunteers as well as their many generous donors.
