From youth programs and homeless outreach to immigrant support and community leadership, Proyecto Pastoral’s four decades of work have helped shape the social fabric of Boyle Heights and Los Angeles.
Someone turns 40 and today we celebrate them, as people often say at Latino gatherings.
Today, Proyecto Pastoral celebrates 40 years of life. So does Boyle Heights, the Latino community of Los Angeles, and the hundreds of people whose lives have been transformed through its programs. Four decades of community work have left an unforgettable mark on Los Angeles history.
Forty years may sound simple to say. A decade may be easy to write. But the seconds and minutes Proyecto Pastoral dedicates every day to its community cannot be counted so easily. There are countless stories, endless struggles, and invaluable lessons carried by the people who make up this organization and the community it serves.
“What keeps us moving is love,” says Executive Director Raquel Román thoughtfully. Love for the work, love for the community, love for life, and love for the commitment behind addressing the needs of a community that has endured years of hardship and attacks.
“Proyecto Pastoral is always responding to the needs of the community. We evaluate the situation and create programs that will truly serve people. In difficult times, we have to be proactive. We have to respond rather than stay stuck in grief. We carry a great responsibility, and fulfilling it is our obligation,” she says.
Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission was founded in 1986 by Father Gregory J. Boyle, S.J., alongside a group of courageous and committed women from Boyle Heights determined to build a better future for their community. Over the years, that mission has not only endured but grown stronger.
“There is always room to grow. We can interact more deeply and become more actively involved in other issues affecting our community,” Román says.
The last time Parriva spoke with Raquel was nearly two years ago, “before Trump,” as a point of reference. Since then, many things have changed, while many others remain painfully familiar. Proyecto Pastoral has consistently stood as both witness and participant in the major events that have shaken the Latino community.
“There are many sad and tragic stories. The man who drowned, the woman who died in a park, the children traveling from Honduras trying to reach Los Angeles. All of these human stories come to Proyecto Pastoral, and we have to face them. I’ve cried, of course. During the 2008 recession, older people and day laborers with no work came to us. It was as if they were disposable. That’s how capitalism works. You come, you work, you are no longer useful, and then you disappear. Many came to us. Some died. They had no family. We became their family,” she shared in a previous interview.
“My mission is to help others. I try to maintain balance, to carry the seriousness needed without becoming so overwhelmed that I can no longer act. Life is very short. We have to fill our own cup while helping fill the cups of others.”
Her vision and analysis remain just as strong today, perhaps even stronger. For Raquel, both Proyecto Pastoral and she herself remain deeply committed to the struggle. But there is one point she emphasizes above all else:
“The most important thing is understanding that together we are stronger. We have to work shoulder to shoulder. We cannot solve these problems alone. We need to build partnerships with organizations and people who share the same goals.”
There is another phrase she once shared with Parriva that captures her philosophy and the principles guiding her work:
“It’s okay to be angry, but we have to think about how to get resources, how to expand the discussion. It’s not okay to see people living on the streets without homes. We have to honor humanity and provide services.”
For Román, observation is essential. It means understanding the tactics used against vulnerable communities and developing programs that shape and support children, youth, and adults.
She highlights the philosophical foundation of Liberation Theology, the Christian movement born in Latin America during the 1960s that centers on a “preferential option for the poor” and the active transformation of unjust social structures.
“We also try to cultivate a great deal of hope and joy in our people,” she adds.
Proyecto Pastoral operates multiple programs focused on children and families, including daycare services, arts, sports, youth leadership, homeless outreach, and shelters. Through these efforts, they help people envision a future filled with light rather than shadows, with opportunities for a more positive life.
Proyecto Pastoral operates multiple programs focused on children and families, including daycare services, arts, sports, youth leadership, homeless outreach, and shelters.
Tonight, Proyecto Pastoral celebrates its 40th anniversary with a gala featuring music, art, food, and tributes to four iconic community leaders: Cástulo de la Rocha, Zoila D. Escobar, Renata Simril, and María Elena Durazo.
“It’s important during events like these to recognize those who have made and continue to make a difference, people contributing to the well being of the community. We also have a big surprise planned, but I can’t reveal it yet. People will discover it at the event,” she says.
Yet the gala remains deeply connected to the community itself.
“I’ve always emphasized that events like this must include the real presence of community members, the people who contribute every day to the success of our mission. Tonight, around 40 to 50 community members will join us to celebrate what truly belongs to everyone,” she says.
Raquel, a fighter shaped by countless battles, leaves the community with one final message:
“You are not alone. If you need help, reach out to organizations and seek support. We must keep our faith. I know people carry tremendous faith. I pray every day for my son, my family, my community, and our work. The community is doing the right things during these difficult times, although there are still many challenges we are trying to solve. My mission is to help others. I try to maintain balance, to carry the seriousness needed without becoming so overwhelmed that I can no longer act. Life is very short. We have to fill our own cup while helping fill the cups of others.”
