austin – Cesar Chavez Foundation

Cesar Chavez’s Legacy in Texas

September 19, 2024, by Vanessa Gonzalez

Cesar Chavez in San Antonio, Texas.

Cesar Chavez’s legacy in Texas is marked by his deep commitment to organizing farmworkers and advocating for Mexican American communities throughout the Southwest. His influence, while strongest in California, found a significant foothold in Texas, particularly Austin, where he frequently visited to deliver boycott speeches, engage in campus discussions, and support East Austin community initiatives. On Labor Day, September 5, 1966, Chavez highlighted his dedication to the cause by leading a rally on the statehouse steps. He concluded a 400-plus-mile march from Rio Grande City by farmworkers, including early UFW members from Texas. This historic march, which began on the Fourth of July, aimed at securing a $1.25 minimum wage, drawing as many as 6,000 attendees, according to the American-Statesman.

Cesar Chavez is applauded before a talk sponsored by the San Antonio Friends of the Farm Workers. Among those in attendance, standing to his right, are Judge Albert Peña, Jr., and Bishop Raymundo Peña, July 26, 1979. (San Antonio Express-News Collection)

To honor Chavez’s enduring legacy and continue his work, the Cesar Chavez Foundation is committed to significantly expanding its programs, mainly targeting young Latinos in the major urban centers of Texas, without overlooking the foundational communities in California’s Central Valley. With plans to establish a robust operational presence in Texas by December 31, 2026, the Chavez Foundation is dedicated to uplifting and supporting the communities Cesar Chavez fought for, ensuring his legacy thrives well into the future.

Grand Opening of Los Portales de Lena Guerrero in Austin

June 10, 2022, by CCF

Cesar Chavez Foundation announces grand opening of high-quality affordable housing community in Austin named for the late Texas legislator Lena Guerrero

Austin, TX (June 10, 2022) – The Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) held a grand opening celebration on June 10 for a new affordable housing community in Austin. Los Portales de Lena Guerrero, named for former community activist and railroad commissioner Lena Guerrero, features 97 units of affordable housing for families including four permanent supportive units for transitional-aged youth in partnership with Lifeworks, an Austin-based nonprofit dedicated to transitioning youth and families from crisis to safety and success.

“We’re pleased to open our our second affordable housing community in Austin to address the needs of Latinos and working families. It’s fitting to name this property after Lena Guerrero, a positive force in the community who fought tirelessly for farmworkers and the disenfranchised,” said Paul Chavez, President, Cesar Chavez Foundation. “She embodied the values of our organization’s founder, civil rights and farm labor leader Cesar Chavez.”

The community houses a Si Se Puede Learning Center, CCF’s flagship afterschool program available to young residents and features a picnic area, playground and multi-use community space as well as provide housing and resources for transitional-aged youth in the Austin area.

The property is named after Lena Guerrero, whose work championed the rights of farmworkers. She was the second Latina elected to the Texas Legislature where she was known as one of the state’s most effective lawmakers. In 1991, she became the first woman and first Latina to serve on the Railroad Commission of Texas where she led the effort to help independent oil and gas producers increase production in Texas at a time when the industry was struggling, and was a strong advocate for the use of alternative fuels.

Cesar Chavez Foundation to break ground on high-quality affordable housing community in Austin, TX

September 5, 2019, by CCF

Cesar Chavez Foundation to break ground on high-quality affordable housing community in Austin named for the late Texas legislator Lena Guerrero

Foundation President Paul Chavez, Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk to speak at August 30 event

Austin, TX (August 27, 2019) – The Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) is holding a groundbreaking ceremony on August 30 at 10:00 a.m. for a new affordable housing community in Austin. Los Portales de Lena Guerrero, named for former community activist and railroad commissioner Lena Guerrero, will feature 97 units of affordable housing for families including four permanent supportive units for transitional-aged youth.

“We’re pleased to break ground on our second affordable housing community in Austin to address the needs of Latinos and working families. It’s fitting to name this property after Lena Guerrero, a positive force in the community who fought tirelessly for farmworkers and the disenfranchised,” said Paul Chavez, President, Cesar Chavez Foundation. “She embodied the values of our organization’s founder, civil rights and farm labor leader Cesar Chavez.”

The community will house a Si Se Puede Learning Center, CCF’s flagship afterschool program available to young residents. The property will feature a picnic area, playground and multi-use community space as well as provide housing and resources for transitional-aged youth in the Austin area.

The property is named after Lena Guerrero, whose work championed the rights of farmworkers. She was the second female Hispanic elected to the Texas Legislature where she was known as one of the state’s most effective lawmakers. In 1991, she became the first woman and first Hispanic to serve on the Railroad Commission of Texas where she led the effort to help independent oil and gas producers increase production in Texas at a time when the industry was struggling, and was a strong advocate for the use of alternative fuels.

Tag: austin

Cesar Chavez’s Legacy in Texas

Grand Opening of Los Portales de Lena Guerrero in Austin

Cesar Chavez Foundation to break ground on high-quality affordable housing community in Austin, TX

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