“The spirit of the Institute is Faith and Zeal.” RSHM Constitutions #5
Motivated by faith and zeal, a willingness to risk and a commitment to collaboration, the RSHM initiated a conversation among congregations of women religious in Los Angeles as to how we might respond to the 1992 Civil Unrest in our city. Our desire to transform relationships, from those of “dominance to a spirit of reciprocity” led us to undertake a process of listening to the people in the neighborhoods of South Central Los Angeles. The outcome of this endeavor was the development of the South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (SC LAMP), a program which addresses the integral development and empowerment of immigrant women and their children. In wandering the streets of South Central Los Angeles, we met Debrah Constance who was in the process of establishing A Place Called Home (APCH) which provides a safe and secure environment for children and teenagers, along with activities that support and enhance their giftedness. These partnerships have weathered the ups and downs of the decades, have grown and remain strong and reflect a commitment to care for women and children that we trace to our origins.
