Joyce Walter arrived early for the June 23 dedication ceremony of the Bogen Family Center at St. Anne's Maternity Home in Los Angeles. The wife of federal Judge John Walter is a five-year member of St. Anne's Board of Trustees, but her attachment goes much deeper: 60 years ago, she was born at the maternity home.

"It's very exciting to see what has evolved here," said Walter, as she looked out at the impressive new Bogen Center and St. Anne's grounds and buildings. "This new housing is just tremendous for young women --- to be able to come here and live and have their child in a safe environment in our Child Development Center."

The newest addition to St. Anne's campus just west of downtown, the Bogen Family Center will provide housing for 39 young women and their children.

"The lack of affordable housing and childcare services for young women and children upon their emancipation from the foster care and probation systems is a critical problem nationwide," said St. Anne's president and CEO Tony Walker. "We are proud and excited to be opening this new center and program, and to be providing these much needed services."

Among those joining Cardinal Roger Mahony and St. Anne's officials, staff and residents for the dedication of the Bogen Center were City Councilman Eric Garcetti, County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke (who volunteered at St. Anne's as a younger woman), General Superior of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Mary Elizabeth Imler, and television newscaster/mistress of ceremonies Linda Alvarez (whose mother volunteers at St. Anne's).

A young resident of The Bogen Family Center, Elizabeth Mendez told those assembled that "I had nowhere else to go." And then she found St. Anne's. The new center is "a big opportunity and a big help" she said.

Walter, who was adopted when she was one month old, said St. Anne's "was a very good beginning for me." Years ago unwed motherhood was hidden and young girls were often sent elsewhere to have their babies, she said. "For many years St. Anne's was a secret place, a hiding place."

Now a St. Anne's volunteer, Walter provides two of those "extra arms" needed in its Childcare Center. "It's tough work," she said with a smile.

Walter also noted that in the current foster care and probation system foster children are immediately emancipated at the age of 18. In today's world, though, most young adults are barely able to financially support themselves until their middle to late 20s. Thus, an 18-year-old girl with a baby has little opportunity for financial security.

The Bogen Family Center is intended to offer these young mothers and their children a safe haven until they are able to support themselves. With statistics from the California Department of Social Services indicating that girls in foster care are six times more likely than the general population to give birth before the age of 21, and that 45 percent of foster youth become homeless, St. Anne's new family center figures to provide an invaluable service to the community.