The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet were on hand to help raise more than $360,000 for St. Joseph Center at the agency's 19th annual Dinner Dance and Auctions May 8 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Sisters Louise Bernstein and Marilyn Rudy, co-founders of the Center, joined master of ceremonies actor Stephen Collins and more than 375 business owners, professionals and community leaders at the fundraising event, whose proceeds will be used to aid homeless and low-income men, women, and children on the Westside.

The Earthtones, Sisters Angela Faustina and Katie Hoegeman, entertained guests with musical pieces from classical to ragtime. Dan Schwala, along with a host of volunteers from St. Monica Church, chaired for his ninth year.

"It is because of the assistance of people like the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet that St. Joseph Center is able to provide our ongoing continuum of services for disadvantaged families," says Rhonda Meister, the center's executive director.

Besides being the originators of St. Joseph Center, which delivers services to the homeless and working poor in Venice, Santa Monica, and West Los Angeles, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet have been contributors, mentors and administrative advisors to the Center for the past 28 years.

Funds raised will go toward providing over 8,000 homeless and working poor individuals with basic resources, referrals to health care, shelter, job training, job opportunities, housing and senior services. For more information, call (310) 396-6468 ext. 328 or visit www.stjosephctr.org.