The construction of Cristo Rey Community Center (CRCC) began in 1968 and ended in the spring of 1968 at 1314 Ballard Street. CRCC’s programs included basic needs, employment assistance, and the Martin de Porres Credit Union. The Martin de Porres Consumer Cooperation and educational classes teaching literacy to Spanish-speakers were later added.

The Cristo Rey Counseling Center opened in 1975 with a focus on substance use disorder counseling, along with counseling other services.

As community needs grew, so did the services that CRCC provided. Programs offered between 1978 – 1988 included:

• Martin de Porres Housing Corporation: Supported low income families with leasing, repairing, moving, furnishing, house-keeping instruction, home economics, home construction, and unity against unethical landlords to help combat the housing crisis
• Martin de Porres Credit Union: Included budget counseling, opportunity and support for saving money, and low-interest loans to those who may be a poor credit risk
• Employment Assistance: Supported unemployed individuals with finding a job, provided training for disabled individuals, and taught literacy and job training to unskilled workers
• Emergency Food and Clothing Relief: Provided food and clothing 24/7 through the support of CRCC’s Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society
• Legal Aid: Six lawyers from the Catholic Lawyers Guild provided critical legal aid to those who could not afford it
• Tutoring: Volunteers tutored both children and adults
• Citizens Congress (Model Cities): Assisted community members from the north side with Model Cities intiatives and provided education and training to task forces and policy board members
• North Athletic and Recreation Club: Provided field trips, sports activities, and other athletic and recreational activities for children
• English-Language Classes: Daily English classes sponsored by the Board of Education
• Re-Entry Classes: Daily classes sponsored by the Board of Education for students who have dropped out of school

After functioning out of homes and then a facility on Ballard Street, CRCC moved to the former High Street Elementary School at 1717 High Street. Classrooms became offices and Bishop Kenneth Povish blessed the facility on April 13, 1988.

With the belief that strength comes from unity, St. Vincent Catholic Charities merged with Cristo Rey Community Center to expand access to the vital services on both campuses. This merger allowed for the addition of the Cristo Rey Dental Center and expansion of the Cristo Rey Family Health Center onto the St. Vincent Campus. The Cristo Rey Campus also began collaborating with Project GREEN to provide vital financial education to our community.