St. Joseph Apache Mission Restoration Project
We are working to preserve this architectural treasure that stands as a bridge between cultures and between the past and the future. It is through the process of preserving this landmark that we strive to honor our ancestors, empower our contemporaries, and inspire our children.
We are restoring this important historic landmark church and Veterans' Memorial, which is listed on the NM Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. Our project involves a program that offers job training skills, gainful employment and mentoring to young adults who want to live a life of sobriety.
Within the program they learn job skills, first aid, job safety, employee responsibility, and how to work within a group to achieve goals. There is a counselor on staff available to them as well as a group meeting each week. After ten years of full time work on the project we have had 30 young people take advantage of our training program and over two-thirds of the project has been completed.
The restoration of the Mission is estimated to be completed in June 2010, with an addition fifteen people to participate in the training program. We are truly living up to our mission statement slogan "Restoring the Building and Rebuilding Lives".
The Mission is a powerful example of cultural-blending and a reflection of the region's heritage. The Mission is open everyday to visitors and group tours are available.
1873
Mary M. Serna and Tommy E. Spottedbird