Yesterday Catholic Housing Services celebrated the Blessing and Dedication of Villa Los Milagros Farm Worker Housing Project. Located in Centralia Washington, the 74-unit community is home to almost 180 children, many of whom were on-hand, awaiting their turn at the piñata.
Gloria Burton, Director of the CHS Rural Farm Worker Initiative, warmly welcomed the crowd of almost 100 who traveled from near and far to participate. Distinguished guests included Dan Wendel from the National Equity Fund and Dr. Isaac Pope, a pediatrician who founded Pope’s Kids Place and who has been practicing medicine in Centralia for over 30 years. Mr. Wendel congratulated CHS on their visionary work, the many strong community partnerships that resulted from the project and what the ongoing tax investment from Villa Los Milagros means for the city of Centralia. Dr. Pope commented that a once-empty six-acre lot is now filled with children’s laughter and that families have a place to call home. “This is the best thing that can happen to a community and our neighborhood,” he said. The dignitaries in attendance included Marisel Quijano, Deputy Consul of Mexico in the State of Washington, Miguel Angel Velasquez, Consul General of Peru, Sarita and Cesar Telloo, representatives from the Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles, and Dr. Antonio Sanchez, Director of Economic Development and International Relations for Washington State Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen.
Dr. Sanchez read a letter from the Lieutenant Governor which stated, “Villa los Milagros does not just translate to the road to miracles but will also serve as a symbol for the path to hope and success for families who will in turn pass on this miracle for generations to come.”
Villa Los Milagros residents Maria Elana Hernandez and Quincy Burton thanked Catholic Housing Services for giving their families the opportunity to live in safety and security. The Very Rev. Gary Zender, Vicar for Charities and Chair of the Boards of Trustees for Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services, shared his thoughts and prayers, and the Most Reverend Eusebio Elizondo, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle, performed the Blessing Rite and ceremonial Ribbon Cutting. The celebration continued with a luncheon, music and a piñata for kids of all ages. The blue sky and sunshine provided the backdrop for a very special day for all who gathered to celebrate the Blessing and Dedication of CHS’ rural farm worker family housing project.
The Villa Los Milagros service model offers outstanding social services, designed to increase economic self-sufficiency. Individualized and family-centered, the services focus on the strengths of all members of the resident families. CHS has a longstanding commitment to providing innovative solutions to the challenges of developing housing for low-income and underserved populations.
Click here to learn more about the Creating Furtures for Farmworkers in Western Washington Initiative.
