Proyecto was founded in 1986 by Father Greg Boyle, S.J., and parishioners of Dolores Mission in response to the significant challenges faced by the Boyle Heights community, including poverty, gang violence, low educational attainment, and limited economic and civic engagement opportunities. At its inception, Boyle Heights had the highest public housing density west of the Mississippi River, which contributed to decades of disinvestment and motivated residents to take action. All services offered by Proyecto were initiated and founded by community residents, particularly women, to address their specific needs. These included the Early Childhood Education Centers (ECECs) launched in 1986 as a women’s cooperative, the IMPACTO Youth Development Program initiated in the early 1990s by mothers to offer alternatives to gang activity, and Comunidad En Movimiento, a community organizing program created by women after a tragic drive-by shooting. Additionally, homeless shelters were established by community members to provide refuge for families arriving in the neighborhood.

 

In 2010, Proyecto expanded to include Promesa Boyle Heights, a collaborative of over 35 organizations working together towards a shared vision for community transformation in Boyle Heights. Proyecto’s lineage is one of empowered women advocating for change, an ethos that continues to inspire and inform its work on a day-to-day basis. The women of Dolores Mission, in collaboration with Father Boyle, gathered to discuss community issues and explore ways to put their faith into action, leading to various impactful programs. Proyecto continues to be led by women and women's voices, with a current six-person leadership team that includes five women, including the Executive Director. This strong foundation of female leadership has been instrumental in driving the organization's mission and ensuring its programs meet the evolving needs of the Boyle Heights community.