The Lord's Place - Comprehensive Analysis Report
Summary
The Lord's Place is a non-profit, non-sectarian 501(c)3 organization established in 1982, dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness in Palm Beach County, Florida. Its mission is to provide innovative, compassionate, and effective services to men, women, and children, assisting them in finding stable housing and self-sufficiency. The organization is recognized for its comprehensive "Housing First" approach, wraparound services, and significant community presence in addressing local homelessness.
1. Strategic Focus & Objectives
Core Objectives
The Lord's Place aims to prevent and end homelessness in Palm Beach County. Its main business objectives include:
- Increasing its inventory of housing: This involves improving the management of current housing inventory, exploring new affordable housing opportunities, and integrating the "Housing First" model more comprehensively into existing programs.
- Maximizing its job training and employment services program (Café Joshua): Strategies include broadening the target population to include homeless, formerly homeless, and low-income individuals with employment barriers, growing social enterprise businesses, and implementing best practices for long-term job retention.
- Expanding the impact of its homeless outreach and street engagement programs: This focuses on engaging locally with people experiencing homelessness to build trust and connect them to services.
Specialization Areas
The Lord's Place specializes in providing comprehensive wraparound services tailored to resident needs, including case management, benefits navigation, job training and placement, life skills education, healthcare coordination, and peer support. They integrate the "Housing First" model into existing programs and create population-specific initiatives to address unmet needs. Additionally, the organization advocates for local, state, and federal policy changes to improve homeless services and educates stakeholders about policies affecting people experiencing homelessness.
Target Markets
The primary target market for The Lord's Place includes men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in Palm Beach County, Florida. The organization also addresses "invisible homelessness," assisting individuals living in cars, public shelters, or without access to services. Their market positioning strategy emphasizes a client-centered approach, tailoring services to individual needs and focusing on long-term self-sufficiency. They specifically cater to vulnerable populations such as families, single men and women, formerly incarcerated individuals, individuals with disabilities, and older adults.
2. Financial Overview
Funding History
The Lord's Place maintains a strong financial standing, holding a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for 14 consecutive years. For the fiscal year ending June 2024, total grants, contributions, and similar amounts were $15,830,949. Other revenues included $512,631 from program services and $342,715 from investment income and dividends.
The organization receives funding from various sources, including grants from foundations and other non-profits like the University of Notre Dame ($2,060,000 for FYE 2024) and Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network (SEFBHN) ($1,751,401 for FYE 2024). Support also comes from community partners and funders such as the Town of Palm Beach United Way, GL Homes, Quantum Foundation, City of West Palm Beach, and Palm Beach County.
A significant fundraising achievement was the $20 million "Home for Good Campaign," which supported the construction of a new 25,000 square foot facility and the expansion of housing. In June 2025, The Lord's Place Foundation was established as an independent entity to steward long-term gifts and endowments, aiming to ensure financial sustainability through strategic oversight for legacy giving, planned gifts, and long-term investments.
3. Product Pipeline
Key Products/Services
The Lord's Place offers a range of comprehensive services designed to break the cycle of homelessness:
- Supportive Housing:
- Product name & description: Various housing options from supportive housing to safe and affordable graduate housing. This includes specific campuses like Burckle Place (for single women), C-Place (for vulnerable men with mental illness), Burckle Place III (intergenerational housing for women prioritizing those 55 and older), Jack & Evelyn Alexander Place (for homeless families, including a Youth Services Program), William H. Mann Place (for 50 formerly homeless men), and Operation Home Ready (long-term supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals with documented disabilities).
- Development stage: Established and continuously expanding.
- Target market/condition: Men, women, and families experiencing homelessness, including those with behavioral health issues, criminal justice involvement, and intergenerational poverty.
- Expected timeline: Ongoing.
- Key features and benefits: Provides safe homes, guidance, and resources for independence. Offers wraparound services such as case management, benefits navigation, job training and placement, life skills education, healthcare coordination, and peer support. Over 90% of residents successfully maintain or transition to stable housing annually.
- Job Training & Employment (Café Joshua):
- Product name & description: A comprehensive job training and employment program, with social enterprises like Joshua Catering and Joshua Thrift that provide real-world experience.
- Development stage: Established and continuously growing.
- Target market/condition: Homeless, formerly homeless, and low-income individuals with barriers to employment, including formerly incarcerated adults.
- Expected timeline: Ongoing.
- Key features and benefits: Offers career assessment, job coaching, skill classes, digital literacy, social enterprise-based training, cognitive-behavioral intervention workshops, GED/Adult Literacy tutoring, and job placement/retention support. More than 150 participants annually enhance job skills, with 80 securing employment.
- Street Outreach and Engagement:
- Product name & description: Peer-led street outreach team that engages with unsheltered individuals and families to build trust and connect them to services.
- Development stage: Established and expanding its geographic reach.
- Target market/condition: Individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Palm Beach County.
- Expected timeline: Ongoing.
- Key features and benefits: Provides basic needs (food, clothing, hygiene, IDs), benefits navigation, housing navigation, and referrals to mental health and substance use treatment. The Meal Mobile extends these services to various locations.
- Integrated Healthcare Support (CARE Team):
- Product name & description: Counseling, Access, Recovery, and Education (CARE) Team for unhoused individuals.
- Development stage: Established.
- Target market/condition: Clients with acute and/or chronic physical and behavioral health conditions, including substance abuse and serious medical concerns.
- Expected timeline: Ongoing.
- Key features and benefits: Provides integrated healthcare support and coordination.
- Reentry Services:
- Product name & description: Programs addressing the specific needs of those in or recently released from incarceration.
- Development stage: Established.
- Target market/condition: Individuals involved with the criminal justice system.
- Expected timeline: Ongoing.
- Key features and benefits: Provides tools for housing, employment, and sustainability to break the cycle of homelessness.
4. Technology & Innovation
Technology Stack
The Lord's Place, as a non-profit, leverages methodologies and operational tools to enhance service delivery and efficiency rather than a traditional commercial technology stack.
- Client-Centered and Flexible Approach: Utilized in community engagement services to build trust and connect chronically homeless adults to stable housing.
- Evidence-Based Practices: Programs like Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) and SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) adhere to national best-practice models to help individuals with disabilities access social security benefits and healthcare.
- Social Enterprises: Joshua Catering and Joshua Thrift serve as core businesses providing supportive environments for disadvantaged job seekers to gain real-world experience.
- Integrated Healthcare Support: The CARE Team provides coordinated health support for individuals with physical and behavioral health conditions.
- Mobile Outreach: The Meal Mobile, a vehicle equipped with a prep kitchen and office space, extends services and culinary training to various locations.
- Operational Software: Implementation of Onboarding and Expense modules in Paylocity for streamlined hiring and expense reporting processes.
5. Leadership & Management
Executive Team
- Christine Frederick, Chief Executive Officer. Appointed CEO in April 2025, starting in June 2025. She has over 20 years of non-profit leadership experience, previously serving as CEO of FLITE (Florida Independence, Training & Education) Center since 2017, where she significantly grew its budget and staff.
- Marisa Glover, Chief Financial Officer.
- Natashia Harris, Vice President of Operations.
- Cristina Lucier, Vice President of Community Programs.
- Raymond Morse, Vice President of Strategic Impact.
- Anne Noble, Chief Advancement Officer.
- Calvin Phillips, Vice President of Housing Services.
- Jan Phillips, SPHR, Chief Human Resources Officer.
The Board of Directors includes:
- Cornie Thornburgh, Board Chair. Has served 13 years as a director and trustee, including nine years as board chair. Guided the board through the $20 million Home for Good Campaign and received the 2025 Ending Homelessness Award.
- Wes Lang, Vice Chair.
- Willy Philias, Secretary.
- Charles Ward, Treasurer.
- Other board members include George Bachman, Chief Sean Baker, Louisa Borges, The Honorable Ann Brown, Julie F. Cummings, Kerry Diaz, Carey Haughwout, and Talmedge Hayes.
Recent Leadership Changes
In March 2024, Diana Stanley announced her retirement as CEO after 17 years, effective December 2024. Kerry Diaz was appointed Interim CEO during the search for a permanent successor. Christine Frederick was announced as the new Chief Executive Officer in April 2025 and officially began her role in June 2025. Diana Stanley now serves as the President of The Lord's Place Foundation. The organization also anticipates a new Chief Financial Officer to start in early May.
6. Talent and Growth Indicators
Hiring Trends and Workforce
As of March 2025, The Lord's Place has 123 employees. The organization experienced a 27.7% turnover rate from March 2024 to March 2025, with a more recent turnover rate of 11.3% from January 2025 to March 2025. During this recent period, seven employees left due to retirements, family relocation resignations, or layoffs related to the closing of catering, while five new employees were hired.
Current open positions include SOAR Specialist, Outreach Peer Advocate, Campus Administrator, Controller, and Case Manager for the Men's Campus. There are three grant-funded vacancies, with interviews scheduled for a Client Advocate and two Peer Specialists.
Employee sentiment generally reflects a favorable view of the organization's mission and culture. On Indeed, reviews highlight a "great place to work with great staff and camaraderie" and a strong mission. SimplyHired shows an average rating of 4.8 out of 5, noting a "rewarding and fun place to acquire skills" and a "progressive supportive culture." While some reviews mention challenges such as lower pay (common in the non-profit sector), limited growth opportunities, and management issues, the organization has consistently ranked nationally as a "Best Nonprofit to Work For" and a "Best Place to Work in Florida."
Company Size and Expansion Metrics
The Lord's Place served 2,198 clients, housed 451 clients, and provided street outreach to 1,016 individuals from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Diana Stanley, former CEO, noted that the staff supports approximately 3,000 people annually in Palm Beach County, an increase from 1,700 the previous year. The organization grew from a $3 million budget with 30 employees to a $16 million operation with 130 staff during Diana Stanley's tenure. Total assets for 2024 were $38,030,539.
7. Social Media Presence and Engagement
Digital Footprint
The Lord's Place maintains an active and strategic social media presence across various platforms to further its mission, engage with the community, and advocate for change.
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelordsplace_pb/
- X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/thelordsplace
Brand Messaging and Positioning
Key messaging consistently emphasizes "breaking the cycle of homelessness" and providing innovative, compassionate, and effective services. They position themselves as a leader in providing comprehensive solutions to homelessness in Palm Beach County.
Community Engagement Strategies
Social media is utilized to highlight client success stories, promote events like the "Ending Homelessness Breakfast," and engage with the community for support and volunteerism. The platforms also serve to share news, special event opportunities, and stories with their donor and supporter base. The organization will host its March to End Homelessness on February 27, 2026, in West Palm Beach.
8. Recognition and Awards
Industry Recognition
The Lord's Place has received significant recognition for its financial health, accountability, and effective service delivery:
- Charity Navigator: Achieved a 4-star rating for 14 consecutive years, indicating strong financial health and transparency. Only 2% of charities in America have received at least 11 consecutive 4-star evaluations.
- Nonprofits First: Received a Certificate of Accreditation for Excellence in Nonprofit Management (2024).
- Candid (formerly GuideStar): Earned the 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency.
- The Nonprofit Times: Ranked 8th among the top 50 nonprofit companies to work for in the United States (April 2025).
- Florida Trend Magazine: Recognized as one of the "Best Companies to Work For" for ten consecutive years, rated highly on leadership, corporate culture, work environment, and employee development.
- Ending Homelessness Award: Cornie Thornburgh, Board Chair, was the recipient of the 2025 Ending Homelessness Award.
9. Competitive Analysis
Major Competitors
In Palm Beach County, several organizations contribute to addressing homelessness, often complementing or overlapping with the goals of The Lord's Place. The competitive landscape for non-profits often involves vying for grants, donations, and community support.
- Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County:
- Company overview: Leads in gap funding for programs and focuses on collaboration and advocacy to end homelessness in Palm Beach County. Its Homeless and Housing Alliance (HHA) framework covers prevention, outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, supportive services, and permanent housing.
- Focus areas: Collaboration, advocacy, and gap funding for a broad spectrum of homelessness services.
- Technological capabilities: Primarily focuses on coordination and policy, less on direct client-facing technology.
- Notable achievements: Coordinates services across numerous providers.
- Competitive positioning: Acts as a coordinating body and advocate for the broader homeless services ecosystem in Palm Beach County.
- Vita Nova:
- Company overview: Specializes in providing a safe bridge to independence for former foster care youth and other homeless youth aged 18 to 25.
- Focus areas: Supportive housing, education, employment, and life skills training specifically for young adults.
- Technological capabilities: Likely utilizes platforms for educational and employment support.
- Notable achievements: Aims to eliminate homelessness for young adults.
- Competitive positioning: Differentiated by its specific focus on homeless youth and former foster care youth.
- Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches:
- Company overview: Manages Palm Beach County's largest emergency shelter for families, "Program REACH," offering temporary
