Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil presents check of $200,000 to the Stanislaus Community Foundation's Latino Leadership Fund
Modesto, CA - Rounding out the month-long commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month 2023, Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil presented a check to the Stanislaus Community Foundation, kickstarting the development of the Latino Leadership Fund. Secured directly through the state budget, the $200,000 funds awarded to the foundation will provide grants to scale and sustain efforts, programs and leaders among the Latino community of Stanislaus County with a focus in the areas of civic engagement, leadership development, education equity, health equity, and economic advancement.
Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil and her team have met with President and CEO Marian Kaanon and Chief Strategy Officer Maria Cortez of the Stanislaus Community Foundation on multiple occasions to discuss the needs of Stanislaus County. The Senator was incredibly impressed with the collaborative work of the foundation to bring a transformative impact. Aligned in the vision to ensure that Latino voices and community needs are brought to the forefront in Stanislaus County, Senator Alvarado-Gil was quick to find a way to support the launch of the Latino Leadership Fund and will look forward to the roll out of this program in early 2024. In June, Senator Alvarado-Gil also announced $5 million in funds to support infrastructure projects in South Modesto, an area that is predominantly socioeconomically disadvantaged and 85% Latino.
“This funding along with the $5 million in funds we secured for South Modesto Infrastructure earlier this summer marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to address the longstanding disparities faced by the Latino community,” stated Alvarado-Gil. “For decades, tireless advocates have worked to put a stop to the chronic disinvestment in our community and I am truly honored to have the opportunity to join together and mark a turning point. Our Latino voice is now at the table and the impact will continue to grow.”
“It was an honor to host Senator Alvarado-Gil to share some of the many projects that are taking root in our region. Her support of these projects, and the people behind them, is invaluable. We are grateful for Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's support of the Latino Leadership Fund,” said Marian Kaanon, President and CEO of Stanislaus Community Foundation. “Funding activities and programs will help build the rich vibrancy of our local Latino community. It’s a direct investment in the success of students, families, neighbors, and leaders.”
Senator Alvarado-Gil is the first Latina to represent Senate District 4 which includes all of Stanislaus County and 12 other counties. Stanislaus County – in the heart of California’s rich agricultural Central Valley – is one of the most diverse and fastest growing regions in California, and central to this growth is its vibrant Latino community. Latinos now comprise a majority of the region’s population at 47.9% – an estimated 264,000 people. At the same time, Latino membership on County boards, commissions or councils was at approximately 2%.
To learn more about Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, please visit: https://sd04.senate.ca.gov/.
Senator Alvarado-Gil represents the 4th Senate District including the Counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne.
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