Kim Despres, who has been a nurse for 40 years, is CEO of Circle the City, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers outpatient care, respite care, street medicine and mobile medical care, and has a hospital health navigator program.

In 2012, Circle the City opened Arizona’s first respite care center for people facing homelessness.

The nonprofit — which has respite centers at 210 S. 12th Ave. and 333 W. Indian School Road in Phoenix — in 2022 received a grant for a respite center in the East Valley, which is to open in 2025 or 2026.

Your Name: Kim Despres

Age: 61

Business Name: Circle the City; circlethecity.org.

Town/Neighborhood: Phoenix (Maricopa County)

Hours of operation: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for our clinics and outreach; 24/7 for our respite centers.

Personal background highlights: I have lived in Arizona for 50 years and love it. My family lives here, including my 88-year-old father, so it’s great to be able to see him quite often. I grew up at Luke Air Force Base where my father was stationed. He retired after 20 years.

Professional background highlights: I have been a nurse for 40 years. I have worked in all areas of health care including acute care, home health, and currently in nonprofit. My work here at Circle the City has been the highlight of my career. I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree in health care administration and a doctorate in health care administration.

What I do: CEO of the nonprofit Circle the City;

What I like most about doing business here: I love our mission and feel it’s an opportunity to give back. The staff who work at Circle the City are amazing. They are dedicated and compassionate. The team approaches their work with no judgment, compassion at the same time offering hope to our patients.

Changes I’d like to see in this area: More housing resources with less wait times.

What am I promoting: One of the biggest challenges with our population is that there needs to be more housing resources here in Phoenix. The city and county are working on this and we are very grateful. We believe health care is housing and housing is health care.

What I’m excited about and why: We received the largest grant in Circle the City history to open our third respite center in the East Valley. Currently the two we have are located in Phoenix. We need to get more resources for the east valley. We are hoping to have it open in 2025 or early 2026.

Favorite community cause and why: providing services to individuals facing homelessness.

When and why I started my business/employment here: I was looking for something that fulfilled my heart. The mission of Circle the City does that for me.

Where was before and why I left: Seattle, Washington. My father was in the Air Force and was transferred to another base.

My family: Husband, Rick; daughter, Jennifer; son, Justin; stepchildren, Chris, Gena and Jackie.

My interests & hobbies: I love working out and any activity outside. I also love animals and give to many animal rescues.

People who inspire me (and how): Sister Adele O’Sullivan. She is the founder of Circle the City. She has demonstrated what can be achieved when following your vision.

My guiding philosophy: Be kind to others.

My advice to today’s youth: Look for something you are passionate about for your future and then you will never consider your job a “job.”