Something Special Is Happening at the Salesian Mission Center in Boyle Heights

By Ricardo Quintero, PhD

At the Salesian Mission Center in Boyle Heights, something truly extraordinary is taking place. It has become a space where people of all ages come together in service to others.

At our most recent Burrito Project, for example, youth from the ADMA-Y group at St. Dominic Savio teamed up with volunteers like Luis and Sheila Kun—retirees—and many others from across generations. It’s a beautiful sight to witness people, young and old, working side by side for the common good. Even more inspiring is seeing youth choose to serve God over spending time on video games!

The Mission Center has also become a hub for students from local Catholic schools to complete community service hours through our Clothing the Poor Ministry. We’ve been blessed with hard-working volunteers from St. Mary’s Academy and Sacred Heart of Jesus High School. These young women have played a vital role in setting up and maintaining our Charity Shop. We welcome other Catholic schools to participate in this outreach, along with Salesian schools.

The Clothing the Poor Ministry is an ongoing effort, and we always welcome extra hands to help. Meanwhile, the Burrito Project takes place on the last Saturday of every month. Volunteers can join one of two teams:

Team One: assembles burritos at the Mission Center
Team Two: delivers them to our unhoused neighbors, offering food, prayer, and compassionate support