General – Page 2 – Cesar Chavez Foundation

Rising Together to Empower Migrant Students

September 9, 2025, by CCF

Teachers in the Migrant Education Program create supportive spaces where students strengthen core skills and grow with confidence.

Migrant farm workers often face significant educational barriers, especially due to the disruption caused by seasonal agricultural work, which can leave students falling behind. Cesar Chavez knew this struggle, having attended 36 schools as a migrant farmworker before leaving in the 8th grade. Today, the Chavez Foundation’s Education team seeks to help students through the Migrant Education Program. Established in 1966, the Migrant Education Program remains committed to ensuring migrant students achieve academic success and are prepared for a bright future.

The Cesar Chavez Migrant Education Program, created by the Cesar Chavez Education Fund, serves students from TK through 8th grade with a focus on strengthening literacy, language, and math skills. Tailored to the unique needs of migrant families, the program can be completed in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format. Rooted in Cesar’s core values, the program helps students learn about his legacy while exemplifying the impact they can make. Certified teachers with cultural competence facilitate the program, and a family partnership approach ensures flexible options that meet the community’s needs. With a 93% attendance rate, the program demonstrates strong engagement and success.

Students are encouraged to engage, ask questions, and take pride in learning.

These programs help students achieve academically, boosting their confidence along the way. Our Manager of Programs, Erika Hall, recalls one student in particular who was struggling in school. Through the program, he received support in a targeted small group led by an instructor and gained access to an engaging online platform. Over the course of the program, he grew academically and received an award for achievement in math.

Families served by the program value it for many reasons. Their schedules are often unpredictable, and the program’s flexible hours support student success. The family outreach team offers real-time bilingual support, helps students navigate technical issues, and ensures students stay connected daily when working online. When partnering with districts, the Chavez Foundation team ensures support extends beyond the classroom and looks at families’ unique needs.

The Migrant Education Program builds connection and learning, in person or online.

The program has left a lasting impact on its facilitators and staff. One group of students that made a powerful impression through their enthusiasm and passion for learning came from Atwater, California. Program facilitator Isabel Garrison shared, “They were such a joy to work with and eagerly awaited my arrival on Zoom every single day! They were talkative, enthusiastic, and ready to engage in every lesson. Our SEL sessions sparked meaningful conversations, and it was clear they valued the time we spent together. I will genuinely miss them!”

Time and time again, we have seen that students succeed when their community supports them and they have access to needed resources. Notably, 86% of students in our Education Fund’s Migrant Education Program maintained academic proficiency or showed growth, and 88% achieved their individual goals.

Together with districts and county offices of education, we’re helping students access the tools and resources that fuel their success. Explore how the Education Fund is shaping brighter futures through innovative programs.

Learn more about the Education Fund at chavezfoundation.org/education-fund/.

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.

Category: General