Los Angeles Latino Giving Circle

What I love most about the Los Angeles Latino Giving Circle is that we value and see each other as family. Even though we all come from different neighborhoods in Los Angeles and work in different sectors, we have a common thread: A deep love for our Latino comunidad. I joined the LA Latino Giving Circle because I have personally benefited from the investment of Latino leaders and philanthropists who saw potential in me as a kid from Boyle Heights. My commitment to the LA Latino Giving Circle is to work in partnership with my fellow Giving Circle members to support grassroots organizations invested in addressing racial disparities and advancing equitable outcomes for Latinos in Los Angeles.

I am grateful for the community of Latinos that surrounded, and often carried me, into adulthood. Sometimes those people were family and sometimes they were people who just felt like family. Regardless of bloodlines, these are the people who normalized my identity as a Latina. Any given Sunday in my house was a study on Panamericana relations I could have never learned in a classroom.

The 2nd greatest influence was my city. I am of Costa Rican and Ecuadorian descent but I feel deep cultural connections to Los Angeles.

My local bakery is Guatemalan, my butcher is Argentine and I’ve learned to love, and respect, the taco thanks to the Mexicans in my life. I love my city and there is nowhere else I would rather call home.

The past, present, and future of Los Angeles have been shaped by the rich diversity of us Latinos.

Today I am a wife and working mom. I find myself in a work setting that is predominantly white and while I’m proud of my career this can sometimes feel isolating.

LCF has given me the opportunity to connect with other Latinos from the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. When I am in those LCF meetings, I am my most authentic self.

I have gained invaluable professional development and forged life long friendships through LCF. I encourage you to look into the Latino Community Foundation.

While COVID-19 bore heavily on all communities in 2020, and in particular on communities of color, for immigrant-led and serving institutions, COVID-19 was nearly the straw that broke the camel’s back.

That year in particular, the need was great, and I was extremely grateful, in partnership with my fellow Giving Circle members, to have been able to support grassroots immigrant-led and serving organizations that will make our community a better place.

For groups on the frontlines of systemic oppression, this is the beginning of the struggle, not the end – and they need to be adequately resourced as we move forward.

I am truly grateful that the LA Latino giving circle stood by their word when they promised community partners that we would stand up for justice and fairness.

I love knowing that I’m in a safe space of people who are truly doing the work to elevate the community where it’s needed the most.

I love the sense of community in our Giving Circle, working with collaborative leaders of all different fields, with shared values is a highlight when we get together.

I love Latinx empowerment by Latinx donors