Legacy Partners

Former ministries of the Immaculate Heart Community are considered “legacy partners” because they were founded by one or more IHC members in past years. Each Legacy Partner today continues to carry forth the mission, vision, and values of the IHC by virtue of its founding and because of the ongoing relationship with the IHC.

Our Legacy partners include:

Alexandria House

Alexandria House was co-founded in 1996 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the Immaculate Heart Community. IHC has partnered with Alexandria House to provide safe and supportive housing for women and children in the process of moving from poverty and homelessness to economic stability and permanent housing.

Alverno Heights Academy

In 1978, the IHC assumed sponsorship of the school from the Franciscan Sisters of Penance and Christian Charity. Its philosophy as stated on the Alverno Heights Academy website: “Enlivened by the spirit of its Immaculate Heart Community sponsors, and mindful of the Franciscan roots of its founders, Alverno’s program– academic, spiritual, aesthetic, social, and physical– is shaped by the staff, trustees, and students in light of the world for which the students are being educated.” Their stated mission is inclusive of the goal “to empower each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be.”

Emanate Health

In 1962, the IHC, in conjunction with local Covina officials, founded Queen of the Valley Hospital. In 1994, Queen of the Valley Hospital and Intercommunity Hospital merged to form Citrus Valley Health Partners. In 1996, Foothill Presbyterian Hospital joined the partnership. Also in 1996, Queen of the Valley Hospital, Intercommunity Hospital, and Foothill Presbyterian Hospital all merged to form Citrus Valley Health Partners (CVHP). As of May 1, 2019 CVHP became Emanate Health. “Emanate Health exists to help people keep well in body, mind, and spirit by providing quality health care services in a safe, compassionate environment.”

fINdings Art Center, Inc.

fINdings was established in 2007 by Annette Ciketic, IHM; Rod Stephens, IHM; and others, most of whom were inspired and taught by Corita Kent. The intention was to continue the legacy of Corita’s method of education and art and to serve as a satellite center for supporting the mission of the Immaculate Heart Community.

Housing Works

Housing Works (HW) was founded in 2003 by six IHC members to address the need for affordable housing in Los Angeles. It leads the local implementation of a “best practice” model of services for the most vulnerable among the population of people who are homeless – the people who are chronically homeless, persons with co-occurring addictions, the seriously mentally ill and those with co-occurring addictions. HW was the initial provider of services in the LA County Dept. of Health Services Housing for Health Project. By doing “whatever it takes for as long as it takes” the program serves the “hardest to serve” with the goal of each person becoming permanently housed.

Immaculate Heart High School & Middle School (Grades 6-12)

The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart founded Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles in 1906. The High School became an independent 501(c)3 in 1970 at the Community’s request when the Immaculate Heart Community was formed. The school “fosters academic excellence and creativity in an environment that empowers students to become women of great heart and right conscience. Students embrace a life-long commitment to compassionate service, leadership, and humanitarian values.”

Pacoima Beautiful (Casa Esperanza)

Pacoima Beautiful holds a special place as a Legacy Partner.  In 2022, it absorbed the programs and location for our former ministry called Casa Esperanza into its ongoing work with youth. The IHC is proud to partner with Pacoima Beautiful in their work which is reflective of the Mission, vision and values of the IHC.

Casa Esperanza established its legacy as a grassroots neighborhood community center that assists the economically disadvantaged and immigrant residents of the Blythe Street area of Panorama City in the San Fernando Valley. The staff actively collaborates with public and private agencies to provide health, safety, social services, academic and vocational opportunities, food and clothing for the youth and families it serves.