Starting in the summer of 2024, the Don Bosco Center will now be operated under a new non-profit called the Light of Hope Alliance. This new organization will continue the mission to serve Hispanic and other at-risk youths in grades 5-12 in the Manassas area with the same employees.

Youth Apostles and Fr. Ramón began this ministry back in 2005 when he arrived from the Diocese of Fall River. Over the almost 20 years, Fr. Ramón has guided the program and helped hundreds of young people to come to know the love of Christ through the caring presence of the staff and volunteers of the Don Bosco Center. Many of Youth Apostles’ consecrated men have spent time in the Don Bosco Center, working hard to guide young people away from negative behaviors and inspiring them to holiness and their God-given full potential.

While this new organization is just getting off the ground, it has filed for non-profit status and is pending final approval. They are continuing with some grants to serve the young people and looking at other grant-receiving and fund-raising opportunities. More information on them can be found at their website: www.lightofhopealliance.org

Fr. Ramón, along with five others (one of whom is a former DBC volunteer and another of whom was a former assistant program director), compose the board of directors for the Light of Hope Alliance. While Fr. Ramón will be full-time at the parish, in his “free time” he will assist the new organization through his participation on the board to continue the mission to serve the young people in the greater Manassas area.

The vision of the Light of Hope Alliance is to continue the work of the Don Bosco Center and also to see how it can grow in its support to the families of those young people. They are considering expanding to include a food pantry and other adult improvement classes. By building on the foundation of the work established by Youth Apostles, they hope to cast the light of hope to all who are in need.

Note: Any donations received at Youth Apostles after June 30, 2024 for the Don Bosco Center will be forwarded to the Light of Hope Alliance.