Con Mi MADRE to honor Councilmember Fuentes, other leaders at 16th Corazón Awards
Local nonprofit Con Mi MADRE (CMM) will hold its 16th Corazón Awards on April 12 at the Junior League of Austin, celebrating its mission: Preparing young Latinas to enter college as first-generation students and preparing their mothers to support their college journeys.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Local nonprofit Con Mi MADRE (CMM) will hold its 16th Corazón Awards on April 12 at the Junior League of Austin, celebrating its mission: Preparing young Latinas to enter college as first-generation students and preparing their mothers to support their college journeys.
This year's honorees include St. Edward's University President Dr. Montserrat Fuentes, nonprofit CEO Sergio Rodriguez, and City of Austin Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes.
In an email, CMM called the honorees "extraordinary individuals and organizations who have made remarkable strides in fostering empowerment and education within the Latinx community."
Dr. Montserrat Fuentes
Dr. Fuentes calls CMM a "transformative force in the lives of young Latinas and the broader community," and that its mission is tied to St. Edward's University's own.
"[We] share a common vision with Con Mi Madre in supporting and nurturing the talents of young Latinas in our community,' she said in a statement. "Our collaboration is rooted in the belief that education is the key to unlocking a brighter future, and together, we strive to align our missions to ensure that every young Latina has the chance to fulfill her potential and make a meaningful impact on society."
Dr. Fuentes will receive the Corazón Award.
Sergio Rodriguez
Rodriguez, CEO of The Hector and Gloria Foundation, will receive the Mariposa Award from CMM.
"I am honored to be selected by Con Mi MADRE with their Mariposa Award this year and to be in the company of President Fuentes and Councilwoman Fuentes. Con Mi MADRE is Austin’s leading nonprofit serving Latinas and their mothers and their model has proven success," he said, in a statement to KXAN.
Vanessa Fuentes
For Councilmember Fuentes, CMM's mission relates to her childhood. When she was in school, her mother was also studying for her GED. She is also a first-generation college graduate.
"When you're seeing your parent go through the education system alongside you and have that support, it really helps first-generation high school and college graduates," CM Fuentes said. "It's these organizations that support educational attainment, that make all the difference."
She also said that groups like CMM are vital to filling gaps in the state's education system, such as those created by Texas' ban on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices in higher education (SB 17).
"When I was a first-generation college student at the University of Texas [in Austin], I participated in programs that were specifically focused for first-generation Latino students. They were absolutely vital in helping me navigate college and ultimately become a college graduate," CM Fuentes said.
She also notes that a UT Austin student reached out to her for support with an off-campus graduation. The student's organization had been cut out of institutional support due to SB 17.
"Here you have students who are trying to figure out where they can have a safe space just to celebrate the graduation," she said. "It's unfortunate, it's a misuse of time and misuse of priorities from the state legislature. And quite frankly, it's frightening to think about that effort and what might come next."
CM Fuentes will receive the Con Mi MADRE Award.