Catholic Charities has announced the formal integration of Centro San Juan Diego, a vital ministry of the Archdiocese of Denver, into its organization, signifying a significant step forward in their mission to serve the Hispanic community.
Established in 2003 under the leadership of Archbishop Charles Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop José Gomez, Centro San Juan Diego was created to empower the rapidly growing Hispanic and Latino Catholic population in Colorado.
Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodriguez have since continued this vital work, emphasizing the importance of faith and education in empowering individuals and families.
“Centro has always been about empowering individuals and families through faith and education,” stated Archbishop Aquila. “This integration strengthens the Church’s witness in service to our Hispanic and Latino brothers and sisters.”
Over the last two decades, Centro has provided culturally relevant services, including faith formation, leadership development, and adult education, becoming a beloved institution among thousands of families.
In a significant step, the Centro pastoral team integrated with the Archdiocesan Office of Evangelization and Family Life in 2018, aligning efforts between the Anglo and Latino communities in evangelization.
The integration into Catholic Charities will allow Centro’s impactful work to continue and grow under a larger organizational framework, facilitating streamlined services and a broader community reach.
By being part of Catholic Charities, Centro can offer enhanced programs such as immigration assistance, ESL classes, GED preparation, and digital literacy, thus helping to eliminate confusion for those seeking assistance.
Darren Walsh, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, emphasized, “We are committed to preserving the spirit, identity and community trust that have made Centro so successful. This is not a change in mission but an amplification of it.”
Centro San Juan Diego will continue its operations at its historic site located at 2830 Lawrence Street in Denver’s River North (RiNo) neighborhood, maintaining its welcoming environment and dignity.
The dedicated staff remains intact, including five committed employees and six part-time instructors, many of whom are former students returning to uplift their community.
Individuals such as Maru Gutierrez, Program Manager, and Daniel Palomino, Family Support Specialist, have joined the Catholic Charities family, bringing invaluable cultural insight and extensive service experience with them.
Alfonso Lara, the executive director of Centro, will also transition to the Archdiocese’s Pastoral Center as the Director of Leader Formation in the Office of Evangelization and Family Life.
The longstanding partnership between Catholic Charities and Centro San Juan Diego, particularly in the realm of immigration legal services, has strengthened through this merger, reaffirming a collective commitment to serve the most vulnerable with compassion and excellence.
Catholic Charities extends its gratitude to all who have supported Centro San Juan Diego through the years and looks forward to building upon its remarkable legacy.
As they move forward, there is a steadfast commitment to holistic, faith-driven service for everyone.
image source from：denvercatholic
