Our Work

St. Clare's Corner continues our vision of neighborhoods of mutual aid, providing household goods, clothing, and food to families in need who live in the general neighborhood of our Companions of the Way Community in Salinas. Most of our neighbors in East Salinas are seasonal farm workers, living in poverty, which is even worse during the 'off' season. We serve about 260 families, weekly, every year.

One of the most interesting places on Soledad Street is our @risK gallery.  Internationally famed artist David Ligare 'named' our studio/exhibition space in 2008, calling it "@risK" not because the contributing artists were 'at risk', but because the art itself was - on the edge of acceptance, appreciation - it was even considered by some to be dangerous.  The @risK gallery is located at 19 Soledad St, across the street from Dorothy's Place.

Youth Alive! is an afterschool program that strives to bring the compassionate heart of Dorothy's Place to children in poverty in the Salinas Valley. Our mission is to impart our understanding of the specialness and sacredness of every person, and the call to live lives of passionate commitment to themselves, their families, their communities, and to the building of peace and justice.

Our Clinic compliments the other services offered at the Hospitality Center by providing the on-site availability of medical services. Volunteer doctors and nurses from Natividad Medical Center and from the community staff the clinic on a weekly basis. Our health clinic is open on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. and logs about 1,300 visits every year.

What is the House of Peace? Some have told us it is just like a settlement house. Others have mentioned 'permanent supportive housing' as a catchphrase. It's also been described as a live in 'program' to rehabilitate the homeless.  None of these fit because most essentially we are striving to create a home. 

The Day Room at Dorothy's Place Hospitality Center is designed to be a gathering place where the homeless, marginalized, and others who are our guests can socialize. They may also take care of basic health and hygiene needs, and access other services that are geared towards helping them live with greater dignity and discover possible "next steps" for their lives.

We are committed to women living on the streets. The primary objective of our program is to create a safe, non-judgmental, nurturing space for women beginning with an emergency overnight shelter. Currently, Women Alive! is the only no-questions-asked emergency walk-in shelter for street women in Monterey County.