We are currently seeking funding to produce a live group performance dealing with youth violence in the City of Reno, Nevada for Reno's Artown in July of 2009.  Should you know of where El Padrecito Ministries, a non-profit 501c3 corporation can apply for funding, please let us know at donations@elpadrecito.org.  You can also reach Father Masseo Gonzales, Board President of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc., by calling 805-291-6771.

Thank you.

El Padrecito Ministries, Inc.  
"Creatively Reaching Out To Our Youth"

El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. was originally founded in 2000 as a way of reaching out to urban  youth via a website through the HOMIES’ character “El Padrecito”. The HOMIES are a collection of toy characters which gained national attention in 2000 and have since been featured on school supplies, as plush dolls, in television commercials, in its own video game, and most recently on LATV. Father Masseo Gonzales, the priest upon whom the character “El Padrecito” is based, is blood brother to HOMIES’ artist David Gonzales and the founder of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc.
(See Los Angeles Times front page article of December 18^th, 2007)

The website ministry concept proved to be successful and is arguably the largest catholic urban website in the United States. Since 2000 over 20,000 youth have joined the website and roughly 1,300 youth visit each day. Though the website offers discussion groups, a prayer page and online sermons, the most attractive feature has been the “Consejos Column”(or Advice Column). The youth write to “El Padrecito” in a personal and anonymous format and seek online advice from the priest on matters of faith and relationships.   In 2003 the ministry received the blessing of the religious order to which Fr. Masseo belongs, the Conventual Franciscans of California, Inc., and in 2006 a Board of Directors was established and the ministry incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit corporation. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc.
(as of December 3rd, 2008)


                            Fr. Masseo J. Gonzales (President) is currently serving as Associate Pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, Nevada.  He is the founder of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. and brother to HOMIES creator David Gonzales.  He has extensive experience working both as a high school instructor and parish ministry throughout California.  His undergraduate degree is in Chicano Studies from Pitzer College of the Claremont Colleges and also holds a Masters in Theology and a Masters in Divinity from Washington Theological Union.

Arturo M. Cruz (Vice-President)  is a city council member of the San Pablo, California, a hip-hop artist, youth advocate and community activist.  He has been instrumental in forming "Hiz-Kidz", a youth rap group from Richmond and San Pablo, California under the auspices of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. 

David Sanchez (Secretary) has been a police officer for 26 years with the City of Arroyo Grande, California.  He is the current secretary/treasurer of the Arroyo Grande Peace Officers Association.  David is a third degree Knight of Columbus, involved in his local R.C.I.A Program and also a member of the Promise Keepers Christian Organization.
 
Trent Benedetti (Treasurer) is a certified public accountant and owner of a professional tax firm in Santa Maria, California, Benedetti and Associates, Inc. He is also a graduate of California Polytechnic University, a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a Certified Financial Planner and a Registered Investment Adviser.  Mr. Benedetti has been in practice since 1982.
 
Professor Barbara Land is the current Director of Dance Studies at the University of Reno, Nevada, and has extensive experience working with non-profits in the area of dance and theater. 

Joseph Gutierrez is a retired probation officer, has worked with youth in one capacity or another most of his life and has specialized in gang prevention. 

 Though happy with the success of the online ministry Father Masseo had always sensed that the genre of rap and hip-hop could be a powerful medium through which to evangelize the youth. This vision did not materialize, however, until he met rapper and youth activist Arturo M. Cruz from Richmond, California. The name Hiz-Kidz was chosen and with oversight by El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. and through the guidance of Mr. Cruz, the group became an immediate success. The kids have produced their first anti-violence rap video, have performed at numerous venues throughout Northern California, and most recently received the prestigious Contra Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors 2008 “Making A Difference” award.  Father Masseo Gonzales and Arturo Cruz also rap with the kids. While El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. helped launch the Hiz-Kidz hip-hop youth group, the two are NOT legally affiliated.

Finally, in order to have easy access to the youth throughout the state of California, El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. has always envisioned establishing its main offices on the Central Coast of California, specifically  in the City of Guadalupe. We also expect to build a youth center there so we can exercise our ministry on a local level. And what better place to centralize our offices than in the city named after the Mother of us all - Our Lady of Guadalupe!  

Should you be interested in donating to any of the ministries mentioned above please write us at donations@elpadrecito.org  You will receive our regular mailings along with being added to our "banner prayer list".    

"The mission of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. is to evangelize youth. While we make every attempt to keep this website safe, for example having 'Officer Placa' routinely surf the site, YOU are ultimately responsible for your own behavior. Please use this website at your own discretion."