Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Thai Fighter Jet Bombs Cambodian Targets as Border Battle Escalates

8 hours ago

California Cannot Require Background Checks to Buy Ammunition, US Appeals Court Rules

10 hours ago

Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71, TMZ Reports

11 hours ago

TikTok Will Go Dark in US Without Chinese Approval of Sale Deal, Lutnick Says

12 hours ago

Meme Stock Surge Underlines Market Froth, Mostly Centered on Retail Investors

12 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Still Searching for Missing Mother and Infant

12 hours ago

California Releases Teacher Data. It Shows Big Rise in Hispanic Teachers

12 hours ago

Biting a Bat and 5 Other Wild Moments From Ozzy Osbourne’s Life

13 hours ago

Henry Thompson Did Wonders for Fresno Airport, Leaves ‘Incredibly Big Shoes to Fill’

1 day ago
Poverello House's Cruz Avila Leaving for New Job
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
July 25, 2019

Share

The CEO of a downtown Fresno homeless shelter and service provider is moving on.
Poverello House announced Tuesday that Cruz Avila is leaving the nonprofit after six years on the job. His last day is Friday.

Avila’s Accomplishments

During his time with Poverello House, Avila spearheaded fundraising efforts for a new warehouse and operations center, as well as better shelter housing.
A $1 million grant from the State of California’s Department of Social Services that was secured with the help of Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula in 2017 helped fund the improvements.

An Amicable Departure

Avila says it’s an amicable departure.
“It’s bittersweet for me. God has opened a new door to provide a beacon of hope,” Avila said.
He added in a news release:
“I have been given the blessing of receiving a white canvas to paint a true picture that will create a masterpiece on our homeless concerns.  It has been through my working experience and collaborations that has lead me on this new journey and continue to provide hope to those in need.”

Appreciation from Poverello House

His soon-to-be former employer wished Avila well.
“The Board of Directors is grateful for Cruz Avila’s leadership as he helped guide Poverello House to a greater alignment with its mission of enriching the lives and spirits of all who pass our way,” said Tom Ferdinandi, co-chair of the Poverello’s board of directors.
Poverello House said it is searching for Avila’s replacement.
According to the news release, Avila will be working as a CEO for another local “community-minded organization.”
The late “Papa Mike” McGarvin founded Poverello House in 1973.
A printer at The Fresno Bee, McGarvin started by handing out sandwiches from the back of his car to those down on their luck.
 

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

The Entz Era Begins at Fresno State With QB Job Up for Grabs

DON'T MISS

Hoover High School Coach Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

DON'T MISS

Hulk Hogan Is Gone, but Hulkamania Rolls On in Fresno and Around the Globe

DON'T MISS

Fresno Brewery Teams With Japanese Sister City on Rice Lager Release

DON'T MISS

US Justice Department Official Meets Epstein Associate Maxwell

DON'T MISS

Clovis Police Arrest Two in Mail Theft During Organized Retail Crime Detail

DON'T MISS

California Political Lobbying Firm Agrees to Settle Federal Fraud Allegations

DON'T MISS

Lara Trump Skips North Carolina US Senate Race, Clears Way for Cooper Versus Whatley

DON'T MISS

Madera County Authorities Dismantle Illegal Marijuana Grow Operation

DON'T MISS

Israel and US Recall Teams From Gaza Truce Talks, US Says Hamas Not Showing Good Faith

UP NEXT

Hoover High School Coach Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

UP NEXT

Fresno Brewery Teams With Japanese Sister City on Rice Lager Release

UP NEXT

Tulare County Judge Reduces Sentence for Teen Convicted in Killing Orosi Teacher

UP NEXT

West Coast Rapper YG to Perform at 2025 Big Fresno Fair

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Cesar Fernandez

UP NEXT

Video-Sharing App Vine Is Returning ‘in AI Form’, Musk Says

UP NEXT

CBS News Taps Tanya Simon as New Boss of ’60 Minutes’ After Trump Lawsuit

UP NEXT

Tulare County Gang Member Booked in Attempted Murder of Two Teens

UP NEXT

Fresno County Authorities Still Searching for Missing Mother and Infant

UP NEXT

Karbassi Fears Costco Could Move to Madera After Fresno Project Halted by Court

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Fresno Brewery Teams With Japanese Sister City on Rice Lager Release

5 hours ago

US Justice Department Official Meets Epstein Associate Maxwell

5 hours ago

Clovis Police Arrest Two in Mail Theft During Organized Retail Crime Detail

6 hours ago

California Political Lobbying Firm Agrees to Settle Federal Fraud Allegations

6 hours ago

Lara Trump Skips North Carolina US Senate Race, Clears Way for Cooper Versus Whatley

6 hours ago

Madera County Authorities Dismantle Illegal Marijuana Grow Operation

6 hours ago

Israel and US Recall Teams From Gaza Truce Talks, US Says Hamas Not Showing Good Faith

7 hours ago

How Long Will Fresno’s Resort-Like Summer Weather Continue?

7 hours ago

Tulare County Judge Reduces Sentence for Teen Convicted in Killing Orosi Teacher

8 hours ago

Thai Fighter Jet Bombs Cambodian Targets as Border Battle Escalates

8 hours ago

The Entz Era Begins at Fresno State With QB Job Up for Grabs

Fresno State’s first football practice of 2025 began with a flyover. While the military jet’s path may have been coincidental, t...

3 hours ago

3 hours ago

The Entz Era Begins at Fresno State With QB Job Up for Grabs

Miguel Lara, a Hoover High School soccer coach, was arrested Thursday for possessing child sexual abuse material, authorities said.
3 hours ago

Hoover High School Coach Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

3 hours ago

Hulk Hogan Is Gone, but Hulkamania Rolls On in Fresno and Around the Globe

5 hours ago

Fresno Brewery Teams With Japanese Sister City on Rice Lager Release

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell stands at the podium to address Judge Alison Nathan during her sentencing in a courtroom sketch in New York City, U.S. June 28, 2022. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

US Justice Department Official Meets Epstein Associate Maxwell

6 hours ago

Clovis Police Arrest Two in Mail Theft During Organized Retail Crime Detail

6 hours ago

California Political Lobbying Firm Agrees to Settle Federal Fraud Allegations

Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, looks on, before President Trump signs the "Genius Act", which will develop regulatory framework for stablecoin cryptocurrencies and expand oversight of the industry, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 18, 2025. (Reuters File)
6 hours ago

Lara Trump Skips North Carolina US Senate Race, Clears Way for Cooper Versus Whatley

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend