The parish has collaborated in various grassroots initiatives to combat adverse social conditions in the area, including Homeboy Industries,[1] Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission,[2] CHIRLA, and the East Los Angeles Housing Coalition.
In 1946, the Canonnesses of St. Augustine (later named the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) came from Belgium to open the first Catholic school in the neighborhood in 1952.
After 1980, the Belgians were no longer able to staff Dolores Mission and the Jesuits, at the invitation of Cardinal Manning, came to this parish.
[3] The Jesuits took as their goal to empower parishioners to exercise leadership and to build community.
Under community leadership, five organizations were formed providing training, education, and social services in the Pico-Aliso/Boyle Heights district of East Los Angeles.