Executive Director

Sister Gloria Perez, the Executive Director of Eva's Village in Paterson, New Jersey, has a long and distinguished record of service to the homeless and the working poor. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Manhattan during the early 1960s, and continued her ministry to inner-city teenagers in New York City and Paterson, New Jersey for more than 38 years. As an educator, Sister Gloria held the positions of teacher, department head, assistant principal and Principal of Paterson Catholic High School.

After serving on its Board for several years, Sister Gloria was asked to become Eva's Executive Director in 2002. Under her administration Eva's Village has purchased several new properties that will greatly expand many of its eleven programs. The highlights of Eva's expansion include the Hope Residence for Mothers and Children where mothers will be able to be treated for addiction without relinquishing custody of their children, and Eva's Village Apartments, a 51-unit affordable housing complex that will provide supportive services for its tenants. 

Sister Gloria believes strongly in the power of collaboration. To that end, she serves on several committees and taskforces. Chief among her many accomplishments at Eva's is serving on the Public Policy taskforce of the Passaic County Interagency Council on Homelessness (PCICH) that has created a 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness. Sister Gloria is also the President of the Paterson Alliance, a citywide organization of non-profit agencies dedicated to the revitalization of New Jersey's third largest city.

Sister Gloria belongs to the religious community of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, New Windsor, New York. This past September, she celebrated her 50th anniversary as a religious sister.  She is the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award, the highest papal award for a woman, for her years of service to the Church and the poor. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College and a Master's Degree in Education from Assumption College. Blessed with a dynamic speaking gift, she is highly sought after for her ability to educate and inspire audiences on the challenges facing poor and homeless men, women, and children.