Who We Are
Our History
Villa Maria is located in the building originally built in the 1950’s under the direction of the Jesuit priests at Sacred Heart Catholic Church to serve as a parish home for poor and abandoned elderly women. The parish ran the home for twenty years until financial constraints in the 1970’s necessitated turning the facility over to the Catholic Diocese of El Paso. Under Diocesan sponsorship the home expanded residency to include elderly men and operated as the Diocesan Home for the Elderly until February 2003 when lack of adequate funding and inability to provide health related services for the residents mandated that the facility be closed. Immediately following the closure the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, committed to responding to the needs of the poor, enlisted a committee to tackle ongoing homelessness in the area. On February 19, 2007 the building, newly renovated and separately incorporated as a non-profit entity, was opened to accommodate 22 women in safe, secure, temporary housing that had been thoughtfully redesigned to meet unique womanly needs.
Our Staff
Linda Velarde
Executive Director
Ex Officio
Sr. Mary Margaret Murphy, SL
Case Manager
Crystal Mireles
Graciela Aguayo
Hilda Romero
Cecilia Murillo
Araceli Olivas
Board of Directors
Alexandra Chavez
President
"I have always been passionate about helping others. I have been fortunate enough to participate in impacting the women of Villa Maria. I find it very important to empower women who have faced life's darkest adversities. Being a part of this board has taught me the importance of channeling my skills to help strengthen our community."
Teeni Provencio
Vice President
"Giving back to a generous community is vital for all El Pasoans. I have chosen to give my time to this beautiful shelter because of the many ways it helps these unfortunate ladies on so many levels."
Edy Payan
Secretary
"KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!"
Liliana Zubia
Co-Treasurer
"Making a positive impact in our community is one of my greatest passions. I am thrilled to be able to lend my skills to this shelter and assist the women on their journeys to empowerment."
Barbara Armendariz
Co-Treasurer
“I have distantly seen through several years Villa Maria evolve to a magnificent shelter for women and I’m honored to be on the board to help and encourage women that all is possible with the power of prayer.
Looking forward to help in anyway possible.”
Sr. Helen Santamaria
Founding Emeritus Trustee
"Having been an active member of the Board of Directors since our 2003 incorporation as a non profit agency, my ongoing realization of God's incredible offerings has only widened my embrace to every person who has contributed to this loving ministry we call Villa Maria."
Monica Lorey
Director
"I joined Villa Maria because I love that our board works very hard and truly cares about the mission. I love that Villa Maria stands for helping and empowering women to stand on their own again. A most fulfilling moment was when the women at the shelter were provided with new beds, pillows and bedding. The women were so excited about something that we take for granted every day."
Ed Santamaria
Director
"Villa Maria is a cause very near and dear to my heart. I've been involved with the shelter from day one. I believe in helping people. It makes for a better world and hopefully it makes each of us a better person. We never know when we might be the ones in need of help."
Silvia Chiocco
Director
"As Mother Theresa said: Faith in action is love and love in action is service."
Veronica Talavera
Director
"I have chosen to be part of the board at Villa Maria because it's God inspired!"
Alexandria Gonzalez
Director
"To witness the impact Villa Maria has on the lives of women and on the community is a humbling and inspiring experience. It is an honor to be part of an organization that is so passionate about their commitment to the empowerment of women, as well as be able to contribute to their vision and goals. “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” - Baha’i writings"
Fr. Ron Gonzales
Ex Officio
"My vocation as priest has allowed me to help lift the burdens of people with the help of God. Along the way we all need a little help and support during those tough times and it's good to know that someone cares."