sainttheresecenter

Reyes Preciado, the affable and helpful face that greets the clients at the St. Therese Center thinks for a
moment, beams a smile and proudly describes himself as an assistant to Father Joseph O'Brien. "We are all
assistants to Father Joseph" he says, sweeping his arm across the room as an inclusive gesture to all the other
volunteers doing their vital work.

Reyes freely describes himself as a Las Vegas transplant, having moved here in 2002 after almost a lifetime of
living and working in Tucson, Ariz. Originally from Hermasillo, Mexico, Reyes moved to Las Vegas with his
partner Michael and beloved dog Lady Boo in 2002.

In 1999, while living in Tucson, Reyes had visited the traveling relics of St. Therese of Lisieux and was
inspired by her story of selfless dedication to the sick and dying. It was always his intention to do voluntary
work in Las Vegas, but the coincidence of viewing the relics then being introduced to an organization named
after the saint was too captivating, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Reyes became a client and almost immediately a volunteer. When asked what position he holds within the
Center, Reyes looks intently and says, "You just do what has to be done - drive the van, clean the restroom,
whatever it takes." We did establish that his favorite task is cooking the volunteer lunch. "Some of us take
turns to make lunch," he adds. There is obvious delight in his face as he relates the many culinary delights he
has prepared over the years. We know from urban legend that the Reyes Tamale has a reputation around
town for being the best.

In April, the demand from an ever-growing list of clients and Father Joseph's need to go out and promote the
Center and its work resulted in the decision to employ permanent staff for the Center. Reyes was amongst
those selected to assist Father Joseph in his mission of constant improvement and growth in the Center's
work.

It is apparent as the conversation with Reyes progresses that he sees himself as a kind of enforcer. He has a
strong sense of doing what is right. As the interview progresses, he watches constantly, making sure that
every client gets exactly what he or she needs and nobody is taking advantage of the services.

Reyes has a pet project, the Hispanic Outreach, begun by Keanu Medina who now works at The Nevada
Association of Latin Americans. Reyes becomes animated, and I see the passion in his face as he describes
how the language barrier and cultural differences conspire to deny some Latinos living with HIV and AIDS
the help they need.

"We are making a real difference here," Reyes says, beaming with pride as he describes how he is able to
help an ever-increasing number of Hispanic clients feel able to reach out to St. Therese for the help they
require. Being in need and having to communicate that to a potential source of help is the biggest obstacle.
Simply being able to communicate in Spanish is the hardest part of reaching out, and with Reyes, the St.
Therese Center's arms can stretch out to meet that need.