Environments of Peace

“VIOLENCE IS NOT THE CAUSE OF POVERTY – IT’S A SYMPTOM OF POVERTY.”

In Columbus, OH, one in six Latino/Hispanic families live in poverty, and 90 percent of Latinos/Hispanics surveyed by the Martin de Porres Center have suffered violence in their lives.

Our Columbus-based ministries Martin de Porres Center, Dominican Learning Center, and Shepherd’s Corner, with assistance from Common Spirit Health, the United Way of Central Ohio, the Ingram-White Castle Foundation, and generous donors like you, strive to decrease violence through programs that build confidence, teach conflict resolution, encourage physical and mental health, and aid immigrants along the path to citizenship.

The Violence Prevention Initiative, led by Martin de Porres Director and Associate Yahaira Rose, was designed with input from continuous data gathering among those in the program. A native of Puerto Rico, Yahaira brings cultural sensitivity to every part of these programs, where women and youth learn to understand their rights and build language skills and resilience that will help them thrive and become leaders in the community.

Partnering with a number of state and local agencies, the Dominican Sisters of Peace/ Common Spirit violence prevention initiative is blessed to see results that have transformed lives.

Your gift can help – click here to donate!