James Mason is a longtime health care executive and the former CEO of SynerMed. Since leaving SynerMed, he has pursued his passion for helping others as a volunteer, financial supporter, and board member for numerous charitable and nonprofit organizations in Southern California. Among these, James Mason serves as a board member of St. Francis Center Los Angeles.
Founded in 1972 by Father Hugh Noonan, a Franciscan friar in Santa Barbara County, St. Francis Center has grown into one of the most important social services organizations in the Los Angeles area. In addition to operating soup kitchens and food pantries, it coordinates well-being programs for families and homeless individuals. The organization also runs an annual youth summer camp initiative.
Each year, St. Francis Center sends approximately 100 boys and girls from underserved communities to a local overnight summer camp through partnerships with local groups. Currently, St. Francis partners with Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles to send 60 youths to Camp Bob Waldorf and 40 younger children to Camp Whittle.
St. Francis Center covers all financial and logistical aspects of the initiative, including paying camp fees, supplying appropriate clothing, providing camp supplies, and coordinating transportation to and from the camp.
