Community Corner

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services Welcomes New Director

The leadership change comes at a critical time for homeless programs in Watsonville.

By Suzy Hunt, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services Development Director

Board of Directors announced its new Executive Director, Kimberly Ferm. 

Ferm brings 12 years of executive-level non-profit experience in grants, direct services, outreach, municipal relationship development, event planning and management, and multiple program budget planning, by way of program director to executive director positions. 

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"We are pleased with the selection of Kimberly as the , “ stated Shelter Board President Bert Post. “Kim brings the experience and organization the shelter has relied on to provide services to our community.  Her energy and dedication will provide the program continuity and services for families experiencing homelessness."

Prior to moving to the Watsonville side of the Santa Cruz Mountains a few months ago, Ferm held previous non-profit director positions in the San Jose area. In 1999, she began her career in non-profits by operating two licensed adult day care sites as the Executive Director of Cupertino/Sunnyvale Senior Day Services. In 2003, she joined West Valley Community Services, overseeing the emergency homeless shelter, transitional housing, financial assistance, food pantry, internships, volunteers and grant writing/reporting for twenty-two simultaneous contracts. In 2008, Ferm joined United Way Silicon Valley’s 211 program. From 2008-2011, as the Director of 211 Santa Clara County, she strove to ensure that 211 was efficient and oriented towards the current needs of callers and online users who needed to get connected to health and human services.

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Ferm feels that her customer service skills were developed from her eleven years at Safeway, where she was a lead cashier, produce clerk and assistant manager.

Ferm spent the majority of her childhood in Vallejo. She holds a BS degree from San Jose State in Health Science/Health Care Management, with a certificate in Gerontology. She is a graduate of Leadership Cupertino and is a member of Rotary International.

“I am excited to work for the Shelter Services; it’s a very well-run organization that has made a difference to a lot of families,” commented Ferm. “It has a passionate board and staff and a solid strategic plan for the next three years.  I am honored to bring my skills to help move the agency forward.”

There is a growing need to support families in need of emergency and transitional housing within the community. 

“This need inspires me even more to strategically lead the Shelter Services to empower and assist more of our most vulnerable community members," Ferm said.

Ferm looks forward to meeting with community leaders and stakeholders to share client stories and the successes and needs of Pajaro Valley Shelter Services.  If your group or club is interested in a presentation about Pajaro Valley Shelter Services and its programs, please contact Suzy Hunt at 831-728-5649 or at suzy@pvshelter.org.


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