texas – Cesar Chavez Foundation

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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.

Connecting Communities in Texas

January 24, 2025, by CCF

Last week, the Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) hosted its Winter 2025 Board of Directors meeting in Houston, Texas, marking a significant milestone as the second consecutive board meeting held in the state. The choice of location reflects CCF’s deepening commitment to expanding its impact in Texas and its vision for continued growth in the region.

Held at the historic Magnolia Hotel, the three-day event kicked off with a warm welcome from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and brought together CCF’s leadership, board members, and key stakeholders to reflect on the organization’s achievements, discuss upcoming priorities, and set a strong foundation for 2025.

A Year of Growth and Momentum

The meeting began with remarks from President and CEO Manuel Bernal, who praised the organization’s achievements over the past year, proving 2024 to be a pivotal year for CCF, enabling the expansion of programs serving diverse communities.

Alongside programmatic growth, the team underscored the importance of enhancing CCF’s communication strategies to spotlight the impactful stories of community transformation and the significant work being done on the ground.

Engaging Sessions and Thoughtful Conversations

On Thursday, a community reception titled “Connecting Communities in Texas” was held at the Felix Fraga Academic Center of Houston Community College. City of Houston Council Member Joaquin Martinez, Texas House Representative Christina Morales, and members of the Fraga and Reyes families were in attendance. Guests had the opportunity to engage with one another and celebrate the significance of partnerships in expanding the reach of the CCF.

Looking Ahead: Centennial Celebration and Leadership Transition

As the Winter 2025 Board of Directors meeting came to a close, everyone’s energy and dedication were evident. CCF is poised for another transformative year, driven by a strategic vision and the unwavering commitment of its team and supporters. We look forward to a successful year ahead as CCF continues its essential work of inspiring and transforming communities!

Cesar Chavez’s Legacy in Texas

September 19, 2024, by CCF

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.

Chavez Foundation Marks Groundbreaking for Affordable Housing Communities in Houston, TX

September 11, 2024, by CCF

Houston, TX – The Cesar Chavez Foundation, in partnership with Harris County Housing & Community Development, the Harris County Redevelopment Authority, and the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation, celebrated the start of new construction for much-needed affordable housing.

The contributions of this partnership will allow the Cesar Chavez Foundation, a vertically integrated nonprofit developer, to develop, construct, and operate the properties and maintain its affordability in perpetuity, as it does with all its properties. In keeping with CCF’s tradition, the housing communities are named after local civil rights champions. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2026.

“These projects are a critical addition to Houston, and we are honored to provide affordable housing for families and seniors in need. It’s fitting to name these properties after Frumencio Reyes Jr. and Felix Z. Fraga as a tribute to their relentless efforts and positive impact on the local community,” said Manuel Bernal, President of the Cesar Chavez Foundation. “Our mission is to uplift working families, and these developments represent a major advancement towards fulfilling that mission. Frumencio and Felix embodied Cesar Chavez’s values of social justice and community empowerment, and their dedication to creating lasting change continues to inspire us.”

The Urban Edge reported that “There are just over 33,000 affordable and available places to rent for the more than 217,000 extremely low-income renters in the area. About 83% of extremely low-income households are severely cost-burdened. The Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s 2023 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston report found that from 2015 to 2021, monthly rent prices outpaced median household income increases.”

“Harris County Housing & Community Development (HCD) is proud to partner alongside the Cesar Chavez Foundation, Harris County Redevelopment Authority, and the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation to provide vital affordable housing to low-to-moderate-income households. These projects will forever change the lives of many people who will benefit from stable, affordable housing in Harris County. The impact of providing affordable housing in Harris County is felt throughout the entire community and will have lasting effects for many years to come,” says Thao Costis, Executive Director of Harris County Housing & Community Development.

HCD has played a pivotal role in securing and investing in affordable housing for the underserved residents of Harris County. To date, HCD has contributed about $360 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Community Development Block Grants – Disaster Recovery funds toward safe, affordable multi-housing projects in Harris County. It continues to make strides to invest in affordable housing, so no underserved residents are left behind.

Villa Eterna Sonrisa Felix Z. Fraga Details:

The Villa Eterna Sonrisa Felix Z. Fraga is a new construction, senior-focused (55 years old +) apartment building that will contain 99 units: 98 one-bedroom units designated for seniors and one two-bedroom unit for the property manager. The development will be a four-story elevator building located at the intersection of Tidwell Road and Bauman Road in the city of Houston and Harris County Precinct 2. The site is conveniently located near an accessible bus stop between I-45 and I-69. The property will include a Si Se Puede Senior Center.

Frumencio Reyes Jr. Plaza Details:

The Frumencio Reyes Jr. Plaza is a new affordable apartment building that will consist of 120 units. The building will offer a variety of unit types, including efficiency, studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, which will be affordable for individuals with incomes at 30, 50, 60, and 80 percent of the area median income. The development will be a four-story elevator building located at the intersection of Upland Drive and Timberline Road in the Spring Branch neighborhood in the City of Houston and Precinct 4 of Harris County. The site is conveniently located near I-10 and Sam Houston Tollway, providing easy access to the rest of the city. It is also located near a mix of single-family homes, multi-family developments, schools, bus stops, and services. The property will include a Si Se Puede Learning Center.

About Cesar Chavez Foundation

At the Cesar Chavez Foundation, our mission is to carry on Cesar’s life’s work of uplifting the lives of Latinos and working families by inspiring and transforming communities through social enterprises that address essential human, cultural, and community needs. The National Chavez Center, an arm of the Chavez Foundation, promotes and preserves the legacy of Cesar Chavez across the nation and manages historical properties near Delano and at Keene, Calif., home to the César E. Chávez National Monument. Follow the Chavez Foundation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. For more information, visit chavezfoundation.org.

About Harris County Housing & Community Development

Harris County Housing & Community Development strives to strengthen communities by investing in housing, infrastructure, and services that promote resiliency. It seeks to have safe, sustainable communities where everyone thrives and no one is left behind. Learn more at hcd.harriscountytx.gov.

About Harris County Redevelopment Authority

The Harris County Redevelopment Authority (HCRDA) promotes, encourages and facilitates economic development, community investment, infrastructure investment and revitalization programs on behalf of the County. The HCRDA is the corporate operating entity for the County-led Greater Houston TIRZ (TIRZ 24), which encompasses approximately 8,000 acres.

About Harris County Housing Finance Corporation

The Harris County Housing Finance Corporation (HCHFC) creates affordable housing opportunities for the citizens of Harris County. The Corporation is authorized to issue debt for the purpose of supporting affordable single-family home mortgages or interests and providing financing for multi-family housing projects for low and moderate-income owners. The Corporation is led by a nine-member Board of Directors appointed by Harris County Commissioners Court.

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.

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