Campeón de la Comunidad Award | HoustonTexans.com
2024 Winner
Ivette Mayo
POWER On Heels Fund, Inc.
Ivette Mayo has an unwavering commitment to empowering women - especially Latinas in our community. Her organization, established in 2018, Power On Heels Fund, Inc, a 501 c3 nonprofit that enables each Latina to become her own best advocate in today's marketplace. She understands the challenges they face and has created pathways for them to achieve economic independence, and to influence and lead in their communities. Through Power On Heels Fund, Inc She established the Latina Power Institute (LPI), a learning platform filled with programs that focuses on building leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and financial literacy, each providing essential resources and tools that equip women to manage their finances confidently. Since 2018, over 3000 Latinas have come through the Latina Power Institute programs. POWER On Heels Fund, Inc. awards the POWER On Heels Fund, Inc.'s Scholarship Awards will be awarded to Latina professionals, business owners, and students whose personal and professional success and earning potential will INCREASE by attending educational seminars/courses, increase leadership opportunities, and increase earning potential. Since 2019, Power On Heels Fund, Inc has awards over $66,000 in scholarships. Finding ways to help Latinas advance is Ivette's priority. Power On Heels Fund, Inc launched two new programs this year. First, the Progressive Leader Program, a workforce readiness program that ensures that college students are prepared for the job market with training, one on one mentorship and internships. Secondly, the Latina Business Incubator offers topics such as creating a LLC , marketing essentials , preparing a business plan, which critical for the success and sustainability of any business. Overall, Ivette's passion and leadership have created a ripple effect, inspiring countless women to strive for their goals and make meaningful contributions to society. She is always looking for ways to close gap Latinas face – Gender Pay.
2024 Finalists
Miriam Damaris
Feminist Collective Colibrí
Miriam Damaris Maldonado is an author and an activist. Her work in the community directly impacts women and adolescents through the themes she addresses related to women's rigths. Miriam never takes no for an answer when it comes to supporting the community and the people who admire her. As an organizer and promoter of cultural activities at the UNAM in San Antonio, I can attest that inviting Miriam Damaris to readings, festivals, and activities makes a difference in terms of content and human quality. She also stands out in her projects as an activist, to which she dedicates herself with total commitment and passion. She is the main founder of the Feminist Collective Colibrí, established in 2019, which addresses the needs of Latinas and Latinxs in English and Spanish throughout the state of Texas, contributing to promoting a message of gender equality and respect for diversity.
Manuel "Manny" Sanchez
SEARCH
As Ecclesia's COC representative, Manny attends a quarterly COC meeting and drives Ecclesia's participation in COC volunteer initiatives. Under his leadership, Ecclesia has sponsored meals for SEARCH's Scattered Site Housing Monthly Meeting and Coming Home programs. Both invite SEARCH Housing residents to gather for a fellowship meal to combat isolation and promote restorative community with one another and volunteers like Manny and his team. Manny also volunteered his personal time to serve as a mentor during the last cycle of Coming Home concluding in June 2022. He devoted more than 40 hours to his mentee Lloyd, attending a two-hour weekly meal and support group session over the course of 20 weeks. Manny supported Lloyd in his pursuit of personal goals including advocating for proper care for a knee injury with his healthcare team. During his graduation from the Coming Home program, Lloyd spoke about the deep connection he and Manny had established as mentee and mentor. He put it plainly and powerfully, emphasizing that Manny had "helped him so much." Manny did not shy away from vulnerability, sharing his own personal experience with homelessness with Lloyd and the Coming Home group. His openness allowed for a true and enduring friendship between Lloyd and Manny. Manny has repeatedly communicated his philosophy that serving meals is a method, not an outcome. Manny and his Ecclesia volunteers use the meals they offer SEARCH clients as an opportunity for conversation and ultimately for connection to longer-term supports and housing. Even so, when the first year of the pandemic forced meal services to shutter, Manny quickly pivoted to maintain Ecclesia's food service capacity in a safe way. During that time of heightened food insecurity, 70% of SEARCH clients reported not having a plan for regularly accessing food. To meet this urgent need, Manny's team assembled "grab and go" food bags for SEARCH's Outreach Team to distribute.
2023 Winner
Claudia Ortega-Hogue
Global Communities Houston, LLC
Claudia E. Ortega-Hogue deserves this award due to her unmatched commitment to promoting advancement for the community. She has participated in community associations and volunteered in several local organizations for over a decade. Let's start with AVANCE-Houston. She began as Board Member in 2022 and was immediately elected in 2023 as the Vice Chair for the Board of Directors for a two-year term. She is committed to improving the organization as a whole, serves on the governance and advocacy board committee, and helps with the strategic and fundraising objectives. Thanks to Ortega-Hogue's achievements as District Director for Silvia Garcia, the 29th Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives, she opened the doors for AVANCE-Houston to receive a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Garcia during the 2nd Annual Inspiring Dreams Celebration on Oct. 20, 2022. Her commitment to community leadership is evident through her graduation as a senior fellow, Class LIV, from the American Leadership Forum (ALF), the nonprofit organization whose mission is to join and strengthen diverse leaders to serve the common good. Ortega-Hogue continues her commitment to connecting Houston's diverse and underserved communities with resources and opportunities through her efforts as the first-ever Latina president of The League of Women Voters of Houston. She also volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors of Bonding Against Adversity and Discover Fitness Foundation and is a member of Latino Giving Houston. Since January 2019, her volunteering includes being appointed by the Houston's Mayor Advisory Council of New Americans and Immigrant Communities. Due to her generous dedication to improving our communities, she received the City of Houston Mayor's Volunteer Appreciation Award 2023. She also was recognized as one of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Houston for 2023 by Women We Admire, thanks to her knowledge, expertise, and dedication.
2023 Finalists
Larissa Gavin
Lola's Lucky Day
Larissa has worked hard for over 15 years to bring change to the greater Houston and Harris County communities. She is steadfast and committed in supporting families and animals in the community through the non-profit she founded, Lola's Lucky Day. When Larissa founded the dog rescue in 2015 it was a small organization that transported a few animals from local animal shelters to loving homes in Wisconsin. Over time she has transformed this small and mighty group to make a greater impact by helping families afford care for their animals so they can keep their beloved pet as well as helping service members find fosters and vet care for their animals so they can keep their animal while they are serving our country. Each year Lola's Lucky Day has increased the number of animals it rescues as well as the number of transports that takes these animals to loving homes. She is constantly thinking of new ways to serve our community and make it a better place for both people and animals. I know that Larissa will always be willing to work hard and serve the Houston community and I cannot think of a more deserving individual and rescue for this special award. She founded this 501c3 which is dedicated to saving the lives of dogs in the Houston area. As a medical rescue she takes in anything from newborns to hospice cases in any medical condition to help them find adopters. She also focuses on supporting the community by educating pet owners on the impact of spaying/neutering pets- even covering the cost for most owners & getting their pets up to date on required vaccines. This rescue has saved & adopted out 8,741 dogs from its establishment in 2015.
Laura Rojas Ramirez
Best Buddies
Laura has been involved with Best Buddies for the past four years. She got involved through her late brother Downtown Dave. Dave Rojas loved all Houston sports teams and was a founding member of the Big Hat Posse. Dave was very involved with Best Buddies, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Downtown Dave participated in the Best Buddies Gala every year and helped raise funds to support Best Buddies programs and services. Dave sadly passed away in 2020 after battling cancer and covid-19. Laura wanted to honor her brother's passion, enthusiasm, and keep his legacy alive. So she decided to help raise funds for Best Buddies at the Champion of the Year annual gala, a competitive fundraising campaign that unites and recognizes leaders of inclusion in local communities nationwide. Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies throughout their campaign. The Champion Candidates advocate for the Best Buddies mission and will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, and leadership development. Laura raised over $10,000 and was crowned the Grand Champion of the Year! She cried tears of joy that night in rememerance of her brother. In 2022, Laura lost her father and is now looking after her mother. She is a person who has experienced lots of loss, but Laura continues to be a person with a gentle spirit and a serving heart. Despite all her losses, she continues to serve and give back to the IDD community. Laura genuinely loves the Best Buddies Ambassadors and works relentlessly to help our participants receive the same opportunities as everyone else. We would love to nominate her for the difference she is making in people's lives with IDD and honor her for giving back to the Houston community. She truly deserves to be recognized in a big way.
2021 Winner
Jessica Cordero
Manager, Texas High School Aerospace Scholars, Office Of Stem Engagement, Nasa/Johnson Space Center | Volunteer, Kids' Meals Houston
After Jessica was introduced to Kids' Meals by her daughter in 2018, she never looked back. She started serving as a volunteer driver, delivering meals to hungry children, and became a regular in the organization. She then started to leverage her role on the Missions Coordinators Team at Hope City to get even more involved in the fight against childhood hunger in Houston. She began to plan monthly volunteer events for Hope City groups. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many churches stepped back and stopped their group volunteer efforts. Jessica knew that these children were relying on Kids' Meals to eat, and this was true now more than ever. The needs at Kids' Meals went up 138% as schools shut down, leading to all children in the home needing meals, and unemployment soared. During the pandemic, food insecurity rose 30% in the United States. Jessica and her team masked up and got to work. For almost one year, Jessica showed up every Saturday with 75-100 volunteers as Kids' Meals fed more children than during any other time in their 15-year history. Cynthia Stielow, Chief Development Director at Kids' Meals Inc., stated "as the number of children we were feeding skyrocketed due to the pandemic, volunteer numbers were decreasing. Businesses were no longer sending volunteer teams as they switched to working from home, and many individuals were choosing to stay home as well. Without the effort led by Jessica, we literally could not have produced the number of meals required each week to feed this many kids." Jessica has been at NASA for 30 years, and in her role seeks out students in underserved communities for free NASA STEM programs. As the Hispanic Employee Resources Group Community Outreach Co-Chair, she speaks about NASA to elementary students as often as she can to show they can benefit from NASA STEM resources. Jessica not only gives back to Houston but makes an impact around the world building water wells. Jessica is truly a Campeona de la Comunidad.
2021 Finalists
David Guerrero
Chef, Supporter of 86 Cancer
Like so many chefs, the industry has shown Chef David his fair share of success and failure. He opened Andes Cafe in East Downtown in 2013 and became a renowned chef for his unique South American cuisine. Battling a brain tumor in his 20's and at the peak of his career, he persevered. Five years later, the tumor re-appeared. He wants no pity, instead he insists that his story serve as an inspiration to those who face adversity. He supports 86 Cancer, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting those in the service industry affected by cancer, and first responders, cooking and donating food during Hurricane Harvey to 9,000 people at the George R. Brown. His motto, "Never give up." You can find him currently at MYKUNA Latin Asian Cuisine and a revival of Andes Café on the East End is next on the horizon.
Yuliana Gonzalez
Mom, Founder of Autismo Houston
Yuliana, mother to Penelope and Luis, was inspired by her son Luis, a child with profound, non-verbal Autism and multiple disabilities, to start a Spanish-language family support group for parents with children on the Autism spectrum. "I thought if I could change the life of a disoriented parent like me, my mission was accomplished." Not only was her mission accomplished but Autismo Houston grew fast, quickly becoming the largest Spanish-language autism family resource and support group in Texas. Now, Yuliana helps raise awareness and money to fund programs for Autism Houston families.
2022 Winner
Dr. Janet Garza
Dr. Janet Garza, University of Houston - College of Optometry & Volunteer, Prevent Blindness Texas
Dr. Janet Garza graduated from the University of Houston College of Optometry and completed a residency in Community Based Family Practice. After working in private practice several years, Dr. Garza joined the University of Houston Optometry faculty in 2017 where she currently serves as the Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Family Practice Residency Program and Clinical Director of the UH Eye Center-Heights Clinic. In her current role as an optometrist, Dr. Garza has dedicated her professional work to providing sustainable and equitable eye care services to help tackle preventable vision loss. She has proven to be a leader in the eye and overall health community and mentors countless students choosing a similar career path. Dr. Garza works with a wide range of nonprofit organizations such as Prevent Blindness Texas to make healthy eyes a priority in Texas. Through Prevent Blindness Texas, Dr. Garza has helped to facilitate follow-up eye care for more than 1,500 adults at risk of vision loss in the Houston community who did not pass a vision screening by providing access to comprehensive eye exams at free or reduced cost. Dr. Garza also understands that good vision is a vital aspect of academic success, and the social and emotional well-being of children. In the Summer 2021 alone, she was a key partner in helping to address the critical need of eye care and providing comprehensive eye exams and glasses to more than 230 school-aged students referred through Prevent Blindness Texas vision screenings. If not for her excellent commitment to increasing awareness of racial and ethnic disparities and patient-centered care, many of these individuals would not have received the necessary eye care resources.
2022 Finalists
Andres Novoa
Andres Novoa, Owner, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant & Volunteer, Fort Bend Senior Meals on Wheels
Andres Novoa's story is one of perseverance. As a young man, he fled his native country of Nicaragua in the late seventies, seeking refuge in the United States. He was able to find work in the restaurant business, where he got his start with Mama Ninfa as a server and worked his way up to general manager during his 20 years with her. Mr. Novoa moved to Fort Bend County over 30 years ago and opened his own business, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant & Catering in 2000. Five years later, he discovered the Fort Bend Seniors and their commitment to the Fort Bend Community. Mr. Novoa has a special place in his heart for Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels. Upon learning of local elders' struggle to afford or prepare meals, Mr. Novoa launched one the longest running fundraisers in Fort Bend Seniors (FBS) history. For 15 years, he and his restaurant have hosted the Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser in Richmond, TX and show no signs of slowing down. Mr. Novoa's "Cinco de Mayo" Fundraiser has made the largest individual impact on Fort Bend Seniors, raising over $485,000. Mr. Novoa and his La Cocina patrons also participate in Fort Bend Seniors' Secret Santa for Seniors program by collecting gifts to be delivered to 1,400 senior clients in Fort Bend and Waller Counties. He supports countless fundraisers by donating food and gift certificates and is always promoting Fort Bend Seniors.
Marlen J. Trujillo
Marlen J. Trujillo, Ph.D., Spring Branch Community Health
Dr. Marlen Trujillo has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Spring Branch Community Health Center (SBCHC) for the past 14 years, providing low-cost healthcare, educational and social services to a rapidly growing and underserved Hispanic community in West Houston. Dr. Marlen was one of the community leaders on the founding board of the community-based health center in 2003. In May 2004, the community health center was opened in the Spring Branch area, to target the Medically Underserved Population and help reduce healthcare disparities by increasing access to affordable quality health care. In recent years, a population explosion in the West Houston area, has increased the need for additional healthcare services beyond the original clinic in Spring Branch proper. Currently the organization has expanded to 8 locations and two mobile health clinics serving 20,000 individuals in need. Dr. Marlen continues to devote her talents to ensure that residents of Harris County receive affordable, high quality, culturally competent and linguistically appropriate medical, oral, behavioral, as well as support services to individuals and families who are underserved or unserved, while placing a special emphasis on the Hispanic/Latino Community. Dr. Trujillo also advocates for affordable housing by becoming directly involved in the Coalition of the Homeless - Houston's Housing Youth Demonstration Project by brining needed dollars to Harris County to provide youth and young adults who are at risk or experiencing homelessness with transitional and rapid re-housing services using a Positive Youth Development Model.
2020 Winner
Maria Aguirre
Director of Community Initiatives, Avenue
Maria is motivated by a deep desire to serve others and help build a more equitable world. She has moved countries 15 times and has humanitarian experience in Mexico, Colombia, and Kenya. She has worked in oil and gas where she was taught project management and the great differences between the private and non-profit worlds. Her current work at Avenue is centered around teaching "poder" meaning "power" but also "the power to" in communities that have often felt powerless. She graduated from Baylor University second in her Major: International Relations, and was recognized for her dedicated community work in the Waco area. From her nomination, "When people in the community have a need, they reach out to Maria for help. They call her for help with rent resources, food, quinceañeras, house repairs, medical bills, and everything in between. People in the Greater Northside know that Maria will work tirelessly on and off the clock to help them with their needs. And when she isn't helping families with their pressing problems, she is working diligently to make the community safer, more beautiful, and more welcoming for everyone who lives there."
2020 Finalists
Mia Garcia
Texas Veterans Network Director, Combined Arms
Mia Garcia's service to our country and our community started 20 years ago when she raised her right hand to serve in the Marine Corps. Mia is a native Houstonian and proudly represented our great city as a highly decorated Marine Sergeant. After completing 10 years of service in the Marine Corps, Mia continued her service back home in Houston where she developed innovative military career transition programs to engage Houston-based employers seeking to recruit veterans and match them with those veterans seeking gainful employment. In her career with NextOp and Combined Arms, Mia has directly contributed to placing over 3,000 veterans into high-paying industry careers.
Joe Gonzales
Founding Board member and Past Vice President, Zoey's Angels
Joe is a native Houstonian who retired from an oil and gas career after 32 years of service. Over his career, Joe's volunteer activities included Houston Hispanic Forum, his church, helping repair the homes of inner city, low-income senior citizens, serving on boards and committees and many years mentoring middle- and high-school students in Houston ISD. Joe has always believed to whom much is given much is required and that was reflected in not only his life of community service but in how he raised his children. Joe and his wife Raquel have 6 children (4 by birth, 2 by marriage) and 8 surviving grandchildren. While still participating in varied volunteer activity, Joe's greater focus is serving on the Board of Directors of Zoey's Angels, a non-profit founded by his family in 2012 in memory of his granddaughter who earned her angel wings after a valiant battle with liver cancer. Zoey's Angels serves families who suffer the tragic loss of their infant child to disease or illness. Joe is the primary contact for Spanish-speaking families receiving Zoey's Angels' support. To date, Zoey's Angels has provided $285,000 to families. We are grateful for Joe's contributions to so many families.
2019 Winner
Sonia Corrales
Chief Program Officer, Houston Area Women's Center
Sonia Corrales has dedicated her life to anti-violence work. As a leading expert in our community, she has received numerous awards and honors. Sonia possesses a never-give-up attitude, standing up and being a strong voice for survivors during her 27-year career at HAWC. She is a wife and a mother of two daughters. A beloved leader, she mentors countless staff, particularly Hispanic women, and shows that accomplishing professional aspirations are possible. Sonia started her professional journey in the trenches as an advocate, so her awareness and compassion are inspiring.
2019 Finalists
Andy Canales
Executive Director, Latinos for Education
Andy Canales is the Greater Houston Executive Director at Latinos for Education, an education non-profit organization focused on developing and placing Latino talent in the education sector. In this role, Andy works with a wide range of nonprofits to increase Latino leadership in their organizations. In just one year, Andy worked with a number of community leaders and nonprofit organizations to launch two Latino leadership programs focused on training Latino leaders to serve on education nonprofit boards and advance into senior education roles.
Claudia Aguirre
President & CEO, BakerRipley
As President and CEO of BakerRipley, Claudia Aguirre leads an internationally renowned community development organization that has transformed neighborhoods for 112 years. As one of the largest nonprofits in the country, BakerRipley serves 600,000 people specializing in immigration, education, workforce development, community engagement, and health and wellness programs. Claudia leads a team of 1,600 staff at 67 locations across the Houston region. Her experience of immigrating from Mexico at the age of eight helped her to pursue her dreams and ignited a passion to help others pursue theirs.