Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 to October 15, 2024

 

Grantee Events During Hispanic Heritage Month: “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together”

 

San Diego is fortunate to be home to many people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Their histories, cultures and contributions have in some way touched a part of every experience we as San Diegans share.

Here are the events, hosted by our grantees, that will be showcased during Hispanic Heritage Month:

• Champions for Health Casino Night on September 28, 2024
• Chicano Federation Raices Celebration on September 20, 2024
• Lifeline Community Services “Viva La Vida” on September 27, 2024
• MAAC Project Soiree 2024 on October 24, 2024
• MANA de San Diego Latina Success Conference on October 19, 2024
• North County LGBTQ “Welcome Home” Gala on September 28, 2024

 

Showcasing Advances for Health and Wellness by Grantees Serving Large Latino and Hispanic Populations in SD

During Hispanic Heritage Month, we are pleased to showcase the grantees below. Together, they are addressing many needs in our community, including affordable housing, quality healthcare, youth development, and economic mobility.

 

Casa Familiar: Mixed-use Housing Project Moves Forward in San Ysidro

Casa Familiar’s Avanzando San Ysidro Community Land Trust (ASY-CLT) project is a 103-unit multi-family, mixed-use affordable, transit-oriented housing development designed to integrate residential homes, commercial spaces, and climate resiliency design initiatives to foster connectivity and access to essential community resources. Announced late August, the State of California’s Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has awarded $33.7 million in competitive grant funding from the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program to Hitzke Development Corp. and Casa Familiar for their Avanzando housing project in San Ysidro.

“This award supports both construction and infrastructure. The City of San Diego will be developing the surrounding transportation infrastructure for the project including right-of-way improvements that include sidewalks with ADA-accessible pedestrian curb ramps and the conversion of two miles of Class II bike lanes. There will also be transportation upgrades to Metropolitan Transit System assets, including 10 new bus shelters and expanded weekend Trolley service on the Blue Line,” stated Lisa Cuestas, President & CEO, Casa Familiar.

This project has come so far after a 2021 feasibility grant AHF provided to Casa Familiar as the original idea was being birthed. We’re excited along with the community for the completion of the project.

 

Champions for Health: Hosting Free Vaccination Clinics with flu shot and pediatric vaccines

Champions for Health is contracted by the County of San Diego to provide mobile vaccination services across the County. As the fall season approaches, organizations can schedule free vaccine clinics at their site. The clinics will offer a range of vaccines, including influenza for all ages, and pediatric vaccines such as Tdap, HPV, DTaP, Hepatitis A and B, Polio, and more. For those working with populations experiencing homelessness, and transitional housing, Champions for Health may also have Hepatitis A vaccines. And, the senior flu dose may be available for congregate care and homebound partners. COVID and Mpox vaccines will vary in availability.

For more information on hosting a free vaccine clinic, contact Andrew Gonzalez, Director of Community Health for Champions of Health at Andrew.Gonzalez@ChampionsFH.org.

 

Youth Empowerment (YE): Reaching “At-promise” Youth in City Heights

Youth Empowerment focuses on three key pillars: Community Engagement, Resilience, and Leadership Development, aiming to bring lasting change to individuals and families. Their school-based programs include in-school mentoring and after-school support for at-promise youth, providing personalized mentorship to meet each student’s needs.

Their Reentry Programs offer comprehensive support for youth and adults transitioning back into their communities post-incarceration, emphasizing personal development, employment readiness, and community connections.

Additionally, YE’s Parent Program equips parents with communication strategies to improve family dynamics and understanding with their children. Lastly, YE’s Trauma-Informed Care Code of Conduct (TICCC) and Toolkit helps system providers approach individuals with greater care and understanding.

 

MAAC Project: Responding to Community Needs

Since 1965, the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee (MAAC) has been responding to community needs aimed at helping individuals and families create the life they want and deserve through economic mobility. Annually, MAAC serves 100,000 San Diegans and has an economic impact of more than $200 million. Their impact portfolio and programming include workforce development, electric vehicle education and access, early education apprenticeship that trains parents to become teachers at the Head Start centers, child development including a Community Charter School, affordable homes, and investments in weatherizing homes.

 

Welcome Jawad Al Baghdadi, AHF Operations Manager

We are pleased to welcome to our team, Jawad Al Baghdadi, as our new Operations Manager. Jawad joins us from the San Diego Diplomacy Council, the local arm of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, where he served as the Program Director. Prior to that role, he was the Casework Manager and Senior Community Representative for Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53/51) and Community Representative for Congresswoman Susan Davis (ret.).

In his time in public service, Jawad worked on all issues related to the social safety net, including healthcare, housing, immigration, and accessibility. He is most proud of his work in protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act, as well as the elimination of Surprise Billing.  He received his Bachelor of Arts in International Security & Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University.

Jawad’s family immigrated to San Diego as refugees from Iraq and Syria. In his free time, Jawad likes building models, tinkering with electronics, and serving the community on the board of Love Linda Vista, Inc., the nonprofit that is responsible for the Linda Vista Farmer’s Market.

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