FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School
CONTACT: Raul Melendez
329 N. Garfield Avenue
Montebello, CA. 90640
Phone: (323) 887-2066 Ext. 517
MONTEBELLO, CA. (JANUARY 9, 2012) Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School was recognized by Dolores Mission for “unconditional support” of its Guadalupe Homeless Project. Located in the Boyle Heights area of East Los Angeles, since 1986 the 87-year-old church has taken in approximately 70 homeless men at a time for a three-month stay.
“They sleep in the church on cots and in pews. Each morning they are provided with a breakfast of rice and beans. They then leave the church to look for work,” said Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary instructor Rebecca Velasquez. “Many of the men find work as day laborers. They return to the church in the evening where they are offered English classes and a variety of workshops.”
A hot meal is provided to the men each evening courtesy of volunteer groups such as Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School.
“Once a month our school’s cafeteria manager, Zaven, and his kitchen staff provide a hot meal that includes meat or chicken, vegetables, rice, beans and bottled water,” said Velasquez.
The food is delivered to the church where students from the school’s Justice and Peace Club then serve the meal, join the men in prayer and sit down with them for dinner.
“The students learn from them about their often difficult ordeal in leaving their country and trying to find a job that will provide for their families back home,” said Velasquez.
“Each time I visit with these men I am reminded how blessed my family and I are to be together,” said one student.
“I think about their children and how much they must miss having their fathers at home with them,” said another.
Justice and Peace Club members sponsor fundraisers throughout the year to pay for the meals the school donates to the church.
“We are very appreciative to Dolores Mission for this recognition,” said Velasquez. “We are honored to be able to assist them with this project.”