Rooted in service, inspiring transformative change.
The Catalyst Foundation was founded in 1992 by Dr. Susan Lawrence during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis to provide essential supportive services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. These individuals were not only facing a public health emergency but also enduring social stigma, exclusion, and systemic discrimination. From the start, Catalyst committed itself to serving those most marginalized—people whose needs were often overlooked.
Even before the broader public health and scientific communities began to understand trauma’s long-term effects, Catalyst recognized its deep and lasting impact on individuals and communities. That understanding was affirmed in 1998 with the release of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, which provided critical evidence of the link between early trauma and lifelong health and social challenges. This has remained a guiding principle in our work.
Over the years, The Catalyst Foundation developed a wide array of trauma-informed services, including case management, food and nutrition programs, eviction prevention, assistance with public benefits, and workforce development. While many of these early programs have since concluded, they helped shape our continued mission to address the root causes of poverty, marginalization, and trauma.
Today, The Catalyst Foundation focuses on providing comprehensive services that reflect our ongoing commitment to justice, healing, and community support. We currently offer homeless supportive services that help individuals and families stabilize, access housing, and rebuild their lives. Our reentry programs serve justice-impacted individuals, ranging from age 12 to adulthood, providing mentorship, life skills training, housing stability, and intensive case management to support successful reintegration and long-term stability.
In addition, we operate trauma-informed in-prison programming at facilities throughout California, delivering education and healing-centered support to incarcerated individuals. We have been providing in prison programming for over 20 years.
While our specific services have evolved over time, our commitment remains unwavering: to serve those most impacted by trauma, incarceration, homelessness, and exclusion. We are a participant-centered organization, grounded in the principles of trauma-informed care—safety, trust, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural responsiveness.
At The Catalyst Foundation, we believe true community transformation begins with healing. We are working to inspire transformative change and we work to create opportunities for growth, dignity, and belonging—for every person we serve.