The Centro Altagracia is dedicated to faith in action; promoting social justice through active collaboration with parishes, community organizations, and individuals and through initiatives that serve the needs of the community as those needs have been identified by the Hispanic community of northern Manhattan. We seek to awaken awareness within individuals of how their Catholic, Christian faith calls them to be aware of the issues impacting their community and to be engaged in action to address these issues. Among the Centro's programs are: Social/Pastoral Ministry Teams that serve as coordinators and catalysts for social awareness and action within parishes; H.E.L.P. (Hispanic Evangelization Leadership Program) that trains young adults for leadership roles within their parishes; and G.R.A.C.E. (Gaining Respect and Awareness through Community Education) which addresses the issue of domestic violence. The Centro also maintains a library of books and DVDs for community use.

The Dominican Outreach Center or Centro Altagracia de Fe y Justicia (Altagracia Center for Faith and Justice) was formed by the New York Province of the Society of Jesus in response to the unmet needs of the Dominican community of the Washington Heights area. In a period of slightly more than one year the Centro Altagracia has been able to make incredible strides in establishing itself in the community through its work with the ten parishes of the North Manhattan vicariate, various community organizations, and elected officials.
 

Christmas Giving Program – a team identifies local families in crisis and their needs, then provides our parish family with an opportunity to provide food and Christmas presents for these families.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Instructor – teach English as a second language. Most teachers have only 1-3 students and meet weekly on the St. Therese campus for about 1 hour. Schedules are matched between students and teachers. All supplies and teaching materials are provided.
Food Pantry Ministry – this group provides emergency food to parishioners and community members struggling in these difficult economic times
Mooresville Christian Mission – coordinates teams of volunteers to help with office or clerical works or in the store or the pantry on a regular basis; other tasks may be assigned as needed; also collect non-perishable foods and coats for MCM
Mooresville Soup Kitchen – coordinates teams of volunteers from St. Therese to serve hot meals to anyone in need and provide encouragement and fellowship
Peru Ministry – opportunities include sponsoring children or the elderly, writing letters, or making a donation to Father Alex’s mission in Alto Cayma, Peru.
Pregnancy Center/Walk for Life – raises money for the Mooresville Pregnancy Center with an annual Baby Bottle Boomerang fund drive; participates in the Mooresville Pregnancy Center annual Walk for Life
Prison Ministry – minister to those in prison who have been punished under man’s laws. We offer hope spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically to those who are in prison.
Relay for Life – St. Therese is represented with a team who participates in The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. It is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate cancer survivorship.
Respect Life Committee – promote that all life is sacred from conception to natural death. Participate in annual Life Chain, March for Life, and other Pro-Life events.

GHP was on December 12, 1988. The shelter opened its doors to address an issue that was most neglected in the community: emergency shelter for the homeless. For more than 20 years it has been providing 90-day temporary shelter and meals to homeless men. The Guadalupe Homeless Project is the only men’s shelter in East Los Angeles and responds to the needs of a particularly vulnerable segment of society. A majority of GHP clients are immigrants who come to the United States looking for work, opportunity, and a way out of poverty.

Hollywood Interfaith Sponsoring Committee, a community organization in the PICO network (www.piconetwork.org) which facilitates empowerment activities, leadership training and community organizing in conjunction with Sacred Heart Parish.