Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced the appointment of Mrs. Paola Cubides Herrera as the Executive Director of the Community Center at Visitation (CCV).
CCV is a ministry of Catholic Social Services’ (CSS) Youth Services Division. Mrs. Herrera’s appointment takes effect on January 6, 2025.
In making this appointment, Director of CSS’ Youth Services Division Dr. James Black said, “We are delighted and blessed that Mrs. Herrera has agreed to take on the role of director in this important ministry of the Youth Services Division of Catholic Social Services. Her genuine spirit of faith, zeal, and evangelization make her the perfect choice to lead The Community Center at Visitation, to build upon the good work that is currently being done there, and to articulate a vision of the center as a sanctuary serving the needs of the children, youth, and families of Kensington.”
In reaction to this appointment, Mrs. Herrera said, “I am so grateful for the opportunity to answer God’s call to serve Him through the mission of the Community Center at Visitation. It is a profound honor to convey to the Kensington community, through the center’s different services, that they are seen, heard, and loved. I am eager and excited to begin my journey at the center, getting to know the staff and everyone who will play a crucial role in making the Community Center at Visitation a beacon of mercy, hope, and charity in Kensington.”
Background Regarding Mrs. Paola Cubides Herrera
Mrs. Paola Cubides Herrera has dedicated more than 10 years of service to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Currently, she serves as the Associate Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for the New Evangelization. There, Mrs. Herrera oversees the maintenance and growth of major evangelization ministries in the Archdiocese.
She previously worked at the Catholic Institute of Evangelization (2009-2012), the Office of Population Research (OPR) at Princeton University (2010-2014), and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Cultural Ministries Office (2017-2019). In addition, Mrs. Herrera served as the Director of the Hispanic Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Doylestown (2019 – 2021). She is also fluent in Spanish.
Mrs. Herrera holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Externado de Colombia University and a Master of Science in Church Management from Villanova University. She was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia before traveling to New York City in 2002 to study English. While studying in New York, she met her husband and moved to Philadelphia in 2003. She has two sons, Lucas, 20, and Oscar, 17.
Background Regarding the Community Center at Visitation
Located on the grounds of Visitation B.V.M. Parish, Catholic Social Services (CSS) opened the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center to serve children, youth, and families in Kensington in 2003. In 2010, the center was renamed the Community Center at Visitation (CCV) and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating outside of CSS. Most recently, CCV is operated and managed under the auspices of CSS’ Youth Services Division.
CCV’s mission is to provide a safe place for the children and youth of Kensington, to build meaningful connections, and access resources to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. The center offers quality resources such as access to healthy food, tutoring, professional development training, and recreational activities.
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Editor’s Note: A photograph of Mrs. Herrera is attached for broadcast, print, and digital publication with credit to Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
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Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
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