CCF – Page 2 – Cesar Chavez Foundation

Sí Se Puede: Where Communities Thrive and Future Leaders Rise

August 27, 2025, by CCF

Cesar Chavez understood the critical role education plays in strengthening communities. In the 1960s, he and his colleagues established the Huelga School in Delano to educate the children of farm workers, enabling them to thrive and providing their children the opportunity to grow, learn, and pursue higher education, something Cesar wholeheartedly encouraged. Today, his vision lives on through the work of the Chavez Foundation.

The Chavez Foundation’s Housing and Economic Development Fund is home to the Community Services team, which works across the Southwest in partnership with residents of our affordable housing communities. Their efforts go beyond providing resources; they create connections through organizing events like holiday celebrations, community meetings, and Know Your Rights workshops. The flagship program Sí Se Puede Learning Center is at the heart of their work, an afterschool program that helps students who may be learning English or struggling with reading and writing. The program has shown a median academic improvement of 35% across the region. These centers offer educational and social support, building confidence and creating a safe space for students to thrive.

Joy and laughter filled the air as kids enjoyed activities at Govea Gardens, one of CCF’s affordable housing communities in Bakersfield, CA.

The Community Service Program Coordinators are vital to this effort, bringing diverse skills to their roles. They are both educators and program leaders. Their creativity and deep understanding of the communities they serve often make them role models to the students they mentor. They tailor lessons and projects to their interests, making learning fun while helping them build academic skills.

Evette Ybarra, a Program Coordinator in Fresno, California, recalls helping a fourth-grade student struggling with multiplication tables. “In just a couple of months, she mastered them with daily practice during homework help time.” Evette shares that many of her returning students show significant academic growth. The program coordinators create a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking for help, enabling them to thrive academically and personally.

Families in our Montebello affordable housing community received new backpacks during a back-to-school event in Montebello, CA.

The Community Services team significantly impacts the broader community by managing large-scale programs and events that provide essential resources to thousands of students. One key initiative is the annual backpack giveaway, which offers free backpacks filled with school supplies and often includes a back-to-school celebration. Jessica Tomoko, the Regional Program Coordinator for Texas, noted, “Many of our students come from families where buying new supplies can be challenging, so receiving a backpack filled with everything they need makes them feel supported and excited for the year ahead.” Through effective planning and coordination, the Community Services team helps remove barriers to education, giving families peace of mind and equipping children for success.

The Sí Se Puede Learning Centers offer a safe space for students to connect and support each other. With guidance from Community Service and Regional Program Coordinators, students build confidence, achieve academic success, and grow into community leaders. These programs provide the tools and mindset needed to become inspiring leaders of the future.

Statement from the Cesar Chavez Foundation

July 13, 2025, by CCF

Our hearts are heavy as we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jaime Alanís, a farm worker who died from injuries sustained during a recent immigration raid at a California farm. These violent and cruel federal actions continue to terrorize communities across America, threatening lives and tearing families apart.

The United Farm Workers (UFW) confirmed that several farm workers were critically injured during the chaotic raids in Ventura County, California. Many individuals, including U.S. citizens, remain unaccounted for.

“When will our nation treat farm workers with the dignity and respect they deserve? We live in the midst of people who hate and fear us.” These words, spoken by Cesar Chavez more than 50 years ago, continue to ring painfully true amid today’s violence and the growing hate directed at immigrant communities.

What we’re witnessing is a human tragedy unfolding in real time, exactly the kind of harm we feared these raids would cause. These raids must stop immediately.

Together in Purpose: Highlights from the 2025 CCF Staff Convocation

July 8, 2025, by CCF

In May 2025, staff from across the Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) gathered in Bakersfield and Keene, California, for the biennial staff convocation—a powerful time to reconnect, reflect, and recommit to our mission.

More than 250 team members from California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico joined to celebrate this year’s Convocation theme: “Help us love even those who hate us so we can change the world.” Rooted in compassion and resilience, the theme called us to lead with empathy and continue Cesar’s legacy of service and transformative change.

On the first day, staff arrived in Bakersfield and were welcomed with remarks by Marc Grossman, Cesar Chavez’s longtime spokesperson, and Andres Chavez, Executive Director of the National Chavez Center. The evening concluded with dinner, setting the tone for three days of reflection, learning, and connection.

Staff engage in a hands-on activity during a Sí Se Puede breakout session, exploring how Cesar’s legacy lives on through our daily work.

The second day was filled with Sí Se Puede learning sessions and community-building conversations. Staff explored topics such as honoring Cesar’s legacy in our daily work, storytelling through murals and monuments, and innovation across Chavez Media and Housing. These sessions created space to share ideas, connect with colleagues, and gain a behind-the-scenes look at the impactful work across CCF.

After lunch, staff took a shuttle to the National Chavez Center to explore the grounds, reconnect with the movement’s history, and reflect on Cesar’s enduring impact. The evening wrapped with a joyful celebration, where staff shared laughter, music, delicious food, and a deep sense of community.

The Convocation culminated on the third day with a heartfelt recognition ceremony honoring the years of service of team members who carry our mission forward each day, inspiring and transforming communities.

Staff touring the National Chavez Center, where Cesar lived and worked for 25 years.

That morning also featured a powerful Hablando Claro episode, in which host Maria Barquin sat down with CCF Board Chairman Paul Chavez and President & CEO Manuel Bernal for a heartfelt conversation about legacy, leadership, and the future of CCF.

As a mission-driven organization united by purpose and guided by Cesar’s values, staff left the 2025 Convocation reenergized and ready to continue building a more just and compassionate society.

Tap below to watch Highlights from the 2025 Staff Convocation.

Building Brighter Futures: The Education Fund’s Summer Math Program with Klein ISD

July 1, 2025, by CCF

This summer, the Chavez Foundation’s Education Fund launched a dynamic Math Summer Learning Program in partnership with Klein Independent School District (Klein ISD) in Klein, TX. Designed for students in grades 1 through 5, the program combined a strong foundation in math with literacy support and Spanish dual-language immersion, offering a well-rounded, culturally responsive educational experience.

The Education Fund team collaborated closely with Klein ISD to ensure that every aspect of the program aligned with Texas TEKS standards and met the district’s needs. From curriculum development to staff training, the goal was clear: equip educators with the tools and knowledge to deliver a summer learning experience that inspires academic confidence and growth.

“We appreciate your professionalism and flexibility. You all have been awesome,” said Dr. Denetria Phlegm, Multilingual Program Coordinator at Klein ISD. This program reflects the power and potential of strong partnerships that are rooted in its community-driven approach.

Infinity Insurance Agency joined as a proud program supporter, underscoring its commitment to educational equity and community investment. Together with Klein ISD, the Chavez Foundation is making meaningful strides toward closing opportunity gaps and empowering students through high-quality learning opportunities.

Radio Campesina: The Voice of the Community

July 1, 2025, by CCF

For more than 40 years, Radio Campesina has been the voice of the community—delivering trusted news, empowering stories, and hope on the airwaves.

Radio Campesina has long been an anchor in the community, delivering trusted information and sparking vital conversations over the airwaves. Founded by Cesar Chavez in 1983, Radio Campesina was created to unite Latinos and working families, giving farmworkers a platform where their voices could be heard. That legacy lives on today through Chavez Media, which owns and operates nine radio stations across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Georgia and continues to inform, uplift, and entertain millions of listeners each month—staying true to its mission of inspiring and empowering communities.

Chavez Media has long welcomed influential voice, from rising musical talents to cultural icons like Los Tigres del Norte, and even hosted an interview with former President Biden. Each guest adds to the spirit of connection, reminding our listeners that their dreams are within reach and their life goals are achievable and attainable. At the heart of Chavez Media’s mission is a deep commitment to listening to and serving the community.

An enduring community advocate is Roberto De La Rosa, Chavez Foundation Board Member and Executive Director of the Organization for the Legal Advancement of Raza (O.L.A. Raza). A UC Hastings Law graduate, Roberto has supported the community since the earliest days of Radio Campesina, working alongside Cesar Chavez. Today, he continues that legacy by providing immigrant rights education and resources during weekly call-in segments. As a founder of O.L.A., he works tirelessly to provide guidance, educational resources, and essential services that help immigrants, underserved students, and low-income families navigate the legal system.

The Chavez Media team also remains socially engaged in creating spaces where the community eagerly comes together. Through initiatives like Cuadrilla de la Semana, Rodeo Nights, and Jaripeo Bailes, they connect with the people they serve while providing essential resources. For decades, they have helped their listeners navigate through issues that affect the Latino community, including immigration reform, voter rights, and educational barriers. By offering expert advice, listeners have a trusted source to rely on.

As the community has faced evolving challenges, Chavez Media has remained a steady and trusted presence. Content Producer Osvaldo recalls the intensity of the 2024 election season, when key ballot measures greatly impacted the Latino community. One caller, overwhelmed and in tears, asked, “What are we going to do? How are they going to help us?” Osvaldo remembers how “that sense of belonging that people have with the radio station [isn’t] seen with other media outlets.” It’s a powerful reminder of the responsibility the team holds and the lasting importance of their work.

Through changing times, platforms, and issues, Chavez Media continues to fulfill its mission: to uplift and inspire. From the beginning, the dedication has remained and continues to be rooted in responding to the needs of the people.

Author: CCF