When the Hispanic 100 (H100) Latina Giving Circle gathered on Monday, October 24 at Texas Women’s Foundation, there was even more to celebrate than the $115,000 in grants to 30 North Texas non-profits. It was the opportunity to hear firsthand how the funds would benefit a couple of the programs’ clients and to learn about the resilience of the H100 member whose restaurant had recovered from a calamity. Here’s a report from the field:
Testimonials from two grantees, treats and Tex Mex from a Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle member who just reopened her restaurant were all a part of the Hispanic 100 (H100) Latina Giving Circle (LGC) at Texas Women’s Foundation’s reception on Monday, October 24, in the mezzanine room of the Texas Women’s Foundation’s building.
The group distributed $115,000 in grants to 30 North Texas area non-profits serving the needs of Latina women and girls in low- and moderate-income communities. Since 2019, the group has contributed $506,000 to dozens of worthy nonprofit organizations.
2022 H100 Latina Giving Circle Committee Co-Chair Linda Valdez Thompson welcomed their members, donors and grantees. “On behalf of the H100 Latina Giving Circle, we welcome and thank you for celebrating our 2022 grant recipients and Hispanic 100 for their ongoing support of the Latina Giving Circle.”
She added, “Our mission is to encourage philanthropy in the Hispanic community to contribute strategically and meaningfully throughout the North Texas region to improve the lives of Latinas. This year brought us the opportunity to enhance our relationships with community partners, from driving awareness of volunteer opportunities to championing programs to empower Latinas to advance economically. The synergies we all bring when working together is truly inspiring. The H100 has a long-standing history of giving back to our community and in 2019 established our partnership with Texas Women’s Foundation. Many thanks to Cris Zertuche Wong, Patricia Rodriguez Christian and Lucinda Rocha, the founders of LGC.”
2022 H100 Latina Giving Circle Committee Co-Chair Lucinda Rocha told about the giving circle. “The Latina Giving Circle to this date remains committed to:
- “Creating access for those who share our passion to support Latinas;
- “Engaging Latinas in philanthropy; and
- “Increasing our impact by giving to non-profits that support Latinas.
“Our purpose is to encourage philanthropy in the Hispanic/Latina community that contributes in a meaningful way to issues and organizations that impact our Hispanic community.”
Latina Giving Circle Grants Chair Maria Espinoza followed saying, “Our giving strategy is centered in supporting programs that demonstrate economic empowerment, data-driven impact, cultural awareness, inclusion and community commitment focusing on Latina women and girls’ long-term stability and life prosperity.”
This year’s grantees:
- After-School All-Stars – Career Exploration program for Latina All-Stars
- Aspire – Early Education and Family Literacy Program for Latinas and children
- Bachman Lake Together – Community Action Network program to equip parents
- Bryan’s House – Family Support Services Program for children with special needs
- Catch Up and Read – Bilingual support to help at-risk children read on grade level
- The Compelling Why – Seminars and leadership programs for Latina students
- The Concilio – Parents Advocating for Student Excellence program
- Foundation Communities – Housing for homeless and low-income families
- Friends of Solar Prep – Educational programs for girls at Solar Prep for Girls
- Genesis Women’s Shelter – Bilingual services for Spanish speaking families
- Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas – Membership access for Latina girls
- Girlstart – Afterschool programs and summer camps
- HHM Health – Women and Children’s Health Center support
- Hispanic Women Network of Texas/Latinas in Progress – Operational support
- Hope Clinic of McKinney – Support for a medical doctor to provide care
- Human Rights Initiative of North Texas – Support of HRI’s Crime Victims Program
- Jubilee Park & Community Center – Housing and Workforce Program for low-income residents
- LiftFund –Technical Assistance integration of Latina Small Business Recovery Program
- Metrocrest Services – Metrocrest Empowerment Initiative for Women
- Mommies in Need – Support for Annie’s Place to provide healthcare access
- Mosaic Family Services – Support salary of a bilingual case manager
- Primos Dallas – Support for young people to become college, career and life ready
- Rainbow Days, Inc. – Community Connection program for at-risk children
- Readers 2 Leaders – Support reading skills of underserved Dallas children
- Rosa es Rojo – Salary and support for SuperVive-Comunidad Virtual platform
- SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. – SER STEM funds for girls to learn and compete in robotics
- United to Learn – Program support for public elementary schools
- Viola’s House Inc. – Maternity outreach program for new and expectant teen moms
- Wesley-Rankin Community Center – Girls of Hope and Girls of Honor courses
- Young Women’s Preparatory Network – Program support for all female public schools
Two grantees spoke about their organizations and the impact of the grants:
Rosa es Rojo Founder/CEO Aideé Granados told about how the grants help make wellness and cancer prevention accessible to Hispanic women in North Texas by educating them on nutrition, physical activity and mental health and providing resources.
Jubilee Park and Community Center Chief Advancement Officer Christian Staley talked about how the grants help them be a catalyst through renewal and enrichment in a neighborhood where the average annual household income is $14,800, and 46% live below the poverty level.
H100 President Maryanne Piña Froshman thanked the many people involved in the grants process and the additional committees for their dedication to the group. “I want to thank the H100 donors whose generosity make these grants possible. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you; we are immensely grateful for your support.”
Texas Women’s Foundation President/CEO Miki Woodard added, “Thank you to the H100 Latina Giving Circle for raising funds and supporting these incredible nonprofit organizations. When we lift up a woman and her family, the community also rises and benefits.”
The program ended, but the group stayed to enjoy food from Casita Tex Mex owned by H100 member Norma Villes, who recently reopened her restaurant after a fire at her business. The H100 group was one of the first receptions she catered. Before everyone left, they received treats in the form of goodie bags with a cup of chocolates.
Donating to the H100 Latina Giving Circle is open to anyone who has a desire to join a legacy of philanthropy that creates positive change by investing in the lives of Latinas. To learn more about joining the H100 Latina Giving Circle, visit https://www.txwf.org/h100latinagivingcircle/ or email [email protected].
* Photo provided by Texas Women's Foundation