About Ernest Rady
Ernest Rady, executive chairman of American Assets Trust, has continued his long-standing philanthropic focus on homelessness and education. In November 2024, Rady spoke at an event for the Rady Center, a Salvation Army facility set to break ground in 2025. He expressed admiration for the Salvation Army, stating he knows "no other organization that is so devoted to good" and that he and his wife Evelyn wanted to help the homeless after seeing "people living in tents." He added, "I would love to see the ground broken if I live long enough to see it." The event also featured a testimonial from a program graduate who described becoming unemployed during the pandemic, living in his car, and eventually securing housing through the Salvation Army's STEPS program.
Rady has previously made major donations to San Diego institutions, including a $120 million pledge to Rady Children's Hospital in 2014 and a $100 million donation to the Rady School of Management at UC San Diego in 2019. In a 2019 speech at the school, he said he "got more than I gave" and expressed gratitude for how the school added "meaning to our lives." He has also been recognized with an honorary degree from the University of Manitoba and as a 2018 Horatio Alger Award recipient, where he stated, "I always was convinced that you not only take from society you give back to."
Source: AI-verified profile updated from Ernest Rady's recent appearances.
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Transcript (3 segments)
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Ernest Rady0:00
My name is Ernest, and first and foremost, I would like to thank God for being here.
I was living and working as a bus driver when the pandemic hit. This led me to become unemployed. I made plans to stay with relatives, but that did not turn out as expected. From there, I stayed in motels and tried to stretch my money, but the funds ran out. This forced me to live in my car for two months. At a safe parking lot program, there was a social worker who gave me the number to the Salvation Army men's program, and I was fortunate and thankful that I was able to move into the Steps program quickly. In the Steps program, it was great to have a place where I could clean up and start seeking employment. Within a week, I was able to secure a temporary job doing security. From there, I went to work for Securitas, where I have worked for over two years. Another helpful part was my case manager's advice to save money and establish savings to help me transition out of the program. I was also given a referral to programs that help veterans, and this is how I secured my one-bedroom apartment. I thank God for the program, and I will always be grateful for the help that the Salvation Army gave me. Thank you.
I got a real problem following the other Ernest, because he was such a good speaker, but I'll do my best. I just want to express my great admiration for the people of the Salvation Army. I don't know any other organization that is so devoted to good as this organization. So when Ely and I decided that we wanted to help the homeless, I drive down the street and I see those people living in tents, and we've been so blessed. I said I'd like to do my share to help those people. So I wish there were more people in the world like the Salvation Army; we wouldn't have two wars going on. So what can I tell you? I hope you'll help. I'm 87. I married a younger woman; she's going to be 21 next week, and that's after 64 years of marriage. So she's gotten younger and I've gotten older. But I would love to see the ground broken if I live long enough to see it, and I hope I live long enough to see it with your help. So thank you all for being here. Bless the Salvation Army and all the people. Good work you do. The world is grateful and appreciative of what you do. Thank you.
