Because Sometimes All Good Roads Lead to Good Service Faith inSharingService Can Move Societal M untains
T he mission of Regis House has always been to “improve lives of the community through mental health, family support, and substance abuse services.” And while this mission originally began with the faith-based initiative of Founder Father Francisco Perez-Lerena, Regis House services have always been completely free to all and shared in a completely secular setting regardless of the faith, creed or color of those in need, with no obligations to adhere to any particular religious catechism. Perhaps no one understands this goal better than Healthy Outreach Program coordinator (HOP) and Melrose School coordinator Iris Montalvo. As a faithful member of the Miami-based Iglesia Centro Evangelico Pentecostal, Ms. Montalvo was initially introduced almost coincidentally to the service of Regis House through a fellow church member. Unaware of Regis’ service but intensely interested in serving her community in need, in 2007 Ms. Montalvo began her service as a Melrose afterschool counselor. As her work evolved she was able to witness the real joy of seeing her Melrose kids get ahead in their lives even as many struggled through tough times. Much like her coworker Santiago Kember, she discovered that one key was to show her kids” some simple but
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