Todos Juntos Learning Center - Power of Language Fundraiser Program

power language

Feb 22, 2024

¡Bienvenidos!

Thank you so much for joining us on this extra special night. I am filled with gratitude to each and every one of you in this sold out room. It is because of your belief in the mission of TJ, and your continuing generosity, that we are here celebrating this incredible moment in our journey.

Tonight marks our quinceañera! Like every other 15 year old chica, we are ready to reflect (a little), celebrate (A LOT), and dream (BIG) dreams.

A little reflection. When I met Christina Collazo, Todos Juntos Founder and Executive Director in 2009, I was taken by her vision to create a safe and welcoming space for families to come together, learn together and be together. Todos Juntos!! This was my first exposure to a 2 Generation learning model, and while it was only a young woman and her dream, I was 100% IN.

When TJ lost its facilities in 2013, I believed in the dream, but I was worried. While I worried, Christina scoured the city for a safe and convenient space for her TJ familia, and she cultivated a legion of supporters to help fund their work. At every turn, Todos Juntos has been an award winning model for this work, even while struggling to find a safe and secure space to operate.

When the pandemic made in-person learning impossible, the TJ staff, supporters and community came together in an epic way, providing basic needs support, urgent financial aid, addressing food security, and offering virtual community engagement and fun learning opportunities for children stuck at home.

Celebration. Thinking of the 15 years of unwavering love and toil, from Christina and the tireless TJ team that has grown up around her, fills my heart. So many of you in this room have been on this journey with TJ and dedicated your time, talent and treasure to this amazing organization. Thank you for believing in this program and supporting its mission. Our gratitude is immeasurable.

We are here to celebrate the families that come to Todos Juntos and join a community that will have a meaningful impact on their lives and the lives of their children. We celebrate the staff, board members, donors and volunteers, who recognize the importance of this work, and support it in all the ways they can. And we celebrate the children who are impacted by this program, through their own growth, and that of the adults around them. (TJ has probably had a positive influence on more children and families than any other 15 year old. ;-) )

BIG dreams! For TJ’s quinceañera, words like resilience and perseverance and HOPE come to mind. This community and the people in this room, inspire HOPE for the future of the Todos Juntos Learning Center. Tonight we express immense gratitude to our partners and friends and celebrate our journey, AND we celebrate our dreams for the future.

A future that includes a permanent home for the Todos Juntos Learning Center, with community partners sharing space, families learning and playing and building community, and plenty of outdoor gathering and academic spaces. We asked our staff and familias to dream big with us, and now I ask all of you to celebrate with us and dream BIG. TODOS JUNTOS!

With much gratitude,

Carmel Borders President, Tapestry Foundation Inaugural donor to Todos Juntos Learning Center

TONIGHT'S SCHEDULE

6:00pm

Reception sponsored by MAYA Consulting

Silent auction

6:45pm Dinner

7:45pm

Welcome

Comunidad Award

Amistad Award

Build the Future for Our Families

Closing

8:45pm

Pachanga y Postre Dancing and Dessert

Music provided by DJ Manolo Black

Master of Ceremonies:

Yvonne Nava, KVUE Daybreak Anchor

Please note the silent auction closes five minutes after the program concludes. You’ll be notified by text if you have won items, and you can pick them up in the foyer after the presentation.

COMUNIDAD HONOREE

The Comunidad Award is given annually to a Todos Juntos partner or partners who are part of our community and who have uplifted our organization and families by sharing their expertise, building or supporting our programming, providing volunteers, or otherwise helping our families on their path to economic and academic success.

El Buen is a testament to this award and an integral part of the Todos Juntos familia, and their commitment to Todos Juntos shines through in many ways, from direct assistance to advocacy, volunteering, and overall support.

Through Saludables Juntos, we have connected our students to El Buen’s food pantry, rental assistance, tax preparation, and monthly vaccine clinics—building a healthy, supported community. El Buen also has generously included our families in Hands for Hope each year, providing TJ families with H-E-B gift cards to prepare for the holidays.

Besides supporting our students, El Buen has helped amplify our voices in the broader community. They’ve championed our cause, ensuring Todos Juntos has a seat at crucial decision-making tables where our students’ needs are heard and addressed.

Since the inception of our Adelante Juntos (AJ) program, El Buen has recognized the potential within our TJ community, actively hosting our AJ interns, and providing invaluable work experience. This investment in our students’ futures speaks to their commitment to long-term impact.

For Todos Juntos, fostering brighter futures for our students goes beyond the classroom walls. It means forging strong partnerships with organizations like El Buen Samaritano, whose valuable support empowers our community in countless ways.

¡Mil gracias, El Buen Samaritano!

AMISTAD HONOREE

In Spanish, the word “amistad” means “friendship.” A good friend is someone who builds you up, is your staunchest cheerleader and challenges you to reach beyond what you think is possible because they believe in you and your potential.

The Amistad Award is given to an individual or entity who has been a friend to TJ in these ways and more. Whether that is bringing advice, insight and experience to the organization to help strengthen our work with familias, making connections to other entities and individuals who are aligned with TJ’s mission OR providing philanthropic support to help ensure TJ can meet the growing needs of our community, the Amistad Award honoree keeps Todos Juntos and our familias at the heart of anything they do.

For the past seven years, Eli and Tracy Castro’s quiet presence has been a powerful force within the TJ community. It all started with a seemingly small organizational reflection project, but the impact of that initiative would lead to a much deeper connection, even introducing us to one of our current Board of Directors.

Eli and Tracy Castro have become part of the TJ community through sustained commitment. Highlights of their involvement include:

• Eli, with the support of Tracy and their daughters, chaired TJ’s 2022 virtual Power of Language, leading the committee and helping raise near ly $100,000 for our mission and families,

• During Deloitte Community Impact Days, Eli helped beautify our space, paint building interiors, create outdoor learn ing spaces, and brighten up crosswalks,

• Tracy has lent her creativity to projects like the “TJ’s Salsa Recipe Book”, which was given to guests at our 2022 virtual Power of Language.

But Eli and Tracy’s impact goes beyond physical contributions. Eli and Tracy have also served as valu able thought partners and friends to TJ, consistently providing insightful ideas and support. In everything they do, Eli and Tracy give 150 percent, pouring their hearts and souls into making TJ a better place.

¡Mil gracias, Eli and Tracy!

TODOS JUNTOS THANKS THESE PADRINOS FOR MAKING TONIGHT’S EVENT POSSIBLE:

The Buena Vista Foundation

Titanio

Diamante

Platino

Oro

Heather & Reed Arnos

Kendra Bolton

Eli & Tracy Castro

Erica, Jarrod, Alexis & Elijah Ekwurzel

First Time Filmmakers

IBC Bank

Jackie Stafford

Velocity Credit Union

Plata

Anonymous

Barbra Boeta & Albert Aguilera

Coburn & Company

Consuela

Hello Flower Bar

Printing Solutions

SouthStar Bank

Bronce

Delphi Alvizo

Mindy & Omar Avitia

Bawi

Christina & Caesar Collazo

Erwin Cuellar

The Hon. Bianca Garcia

Diana & Robert Greenfield

MJ & Marques Korpela

Nexus Management, LLC

Proyecto Santiago at St. James’ Episcopal Church

Alyssa Ramirez

TJ Amigos

DJ Manolo Black

PicTok Photobooth

Todos Juntos thanks these sponsors and additional generous donors who confirmed their gifts after printing deadlines.

CREATE A STRONG COMUNIDAD FOR OUR FAMILIES!

Tonight, you have an opportunity to help create a robust comunidad of support and resources for Todos Juntos and our 200+ families.

In 2024 and beyond, we are focused on three powerful pillars that drive TJ’s work for our families:

» Cultivating compassion,

» Building capacity, and

» Fostering stronger connections.

All of these support our first and foremost goal: Grow and strengthen TJ programs that our students say have impacted their lives in many ways.

Tonight, with your special gift, you can help create a vibrant TJ comunidad for families for years to come. We thank you in advance for your generosity.

Led by Gayle Stallings, CAI, BAS Texas License #1608

GIVING LEVELS

$5,000 $2,500 $1,500 $1,000 or $500

can help support professionally facilitated ESL classes for adult students or high-quality evidence-based Early Childhood Education for little learners. At this level, one of our eight classrooms will be named in your honor for one year.

can help support the English Buddy Program, which matches English language learners with volunteers to help practice their skills outside of class. Our students who participate in this program tell us that their “English buddy” becomes part of their support system.

can help support Saludables Juntos, which helps families access quality, affordable and culturally relevant healthcare and mental health services. This program also offers case management and addresses food insecurity and housing instability.

can help TJ respond to the emerging needs of our families, including mental health support, technology, or childcare. This approach—the secret sauce of TJ—allows our team to meet families where they are, addressing their individual needs in the moment, and in the ways that matter most to them.

$250

$125

can help support TJ’s Parent Book Club, cultivating a lifelong love of reading by equipping households with books and helping moms learn how to read to their children in ways that capture their children’s imaginations.

can help support enrichment activities for our families such as water safety and swimming lessons, first time overnight camping trips in the Hill Country, or music and movement camps. This level helps keep the magic in learning for our students and their whole family.

COSAS AQUÍ

Haz la diferencia en tu comunidad con un trabajo en transporte público.

CapMetro ofrece diversas oportunidades en nuestro departamento de Operaciones, incluyendo:

CONDUCTOR DE AUTOBÚS, MECÁNICO Y SUPERVISOR DE TALLER.

HOY

¡APLICA HOY en capmetro.org/jobs!

ASÍ SON LAS en capmetro.org/jobs!

¡Feliz cumpleaños y felicidades en tu quinceañera!

The Buena Vista Foundation

We are forever grateful for and proud to support Todos Juntos Learning Center as you work to make our community a better place. Visit us at frostbank.com or call (800) 51-FROST.

We are proud to support Todos Juntos and their mission to better the academic and social well-being of immigrant and refugee families.

We are proud to support Todos Juntos and their mission to better the academic and social well-being of immigrant and refugee families.

You’re invited to a Consuela Connects Give Back Party!

You're invited to a Consuela Connects Give Back Party! Join us for a fun shopping event with 20% of sales benefiting

TODOS JUNTOS LEARNING CENTER

Join us for a fun shopping event with 20% of sales benefiting

Enjoy bubbles and light bites while you shop!

TODOS JUNTOS LEARNING CENTER

Saturday, May 11 2024 1:00 -4:00 PM

Enjoy bubbles & light bites while you shop!

Saturday, May 11, 2024 1:00-4:00 PM

Consuela Flagship Store 3500 Guadalupe St., Suite 8 Austin, TX, 78705 (512) 201-8024

Consuela Flagship Store 3500 Guadalupe Street, Suite 8 (512) 201-8024

(512) 201-8024

THE TODOS JUNTOS FAMILIA

Board of Directors

MJ Korpela board co-chair

Barbra Boeta

Kendra Bolton development committee chair

Erwin Cuellar

Daniela De Urioste

Danielle Engalla

Celia Godínez-Sánchez secretary

Edna Parra Aman Patel treasurer

Alyssa Ramirez

Craig Snook governance committee chair

Operations Team

Christina Collazo founder and executive director

Raney McKool operations director

Katie Magner programs director

Delphi Alvizo director of institutional advancement

Maria Vela donor relations and communications coordinator

Sarah Scarborough administrative associate

Programs Team

Yesenia Prieto ece childcare director

Danielle Arredondo ece assistant director

Claudia Méndez López mi familia & me program coordinator; ece lead teacher & psychologist

Catalina Limongelli adult education program coordinator

Diana Marin, MSW saludables juntos program coordinator

Katerin Arpero adelante juntos program coordinator

ECE Team

Ivett Garcia ece lead teacher

Rocio Ramirez ece lead teacher

Monica Salazar ece lead teacher

Norma Alvarez ece assistant teacher

Cecilia Gomez ece assistant teacher

Edith Sarmiento ece assistant teacher

Adult Education Team

Nader Al Zoubi esl teacher

Donna Shepperd esl teacher

Rajani Ramachandran esl teacher

Ashley Stuewe esl teacher

Betina Watkins esl teacher

POWER OF LANGUAGE COMMITTEE & SILENT AUCTION DONORS

Power of Language Committee

Heather Arnos

Jennifer Basten

auction chair

Kendra Bolton

Eli & Tracy Castro

Danielle Engalla

David Fuentes

Yessica Marroquin

Edna Parra

Alex & Jaime Sanborn

Vero Sandoval

The Board of Directors, staff and students of Todos Juntos thank the Power of Language Committee and volunteers for their work to make this event possible.

Silent Auction Donors

All The Small Things

Armstrong Community Music School

Jessica & Avin Assomull

Austin Bouldering Project

Austin Opera

Jennifer Basten

Kendra Bolton

Consuela

Flow Yoga

Stephanie Gatica

The Giles Family

GoodPop

Robin Jackson Photography

JMS Healing Arts

La Condesa

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Long Center

Native Tiny Homes

Paramount Theater

Edna Parra

Randy Rogers

Kendra Scott

Dan Sharphorn

Southern Turf Co

/ Central Texas

Strait Music

The Thinkery

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Twin Liquors

UFCU

Special thanks to Jennifer Basten, 2024 Power of Language Silent Auction Chair!

ABOUT TODOS JUNTOS

Todos Juntos Learning Center supports the academic and social well-being of immigrant and refugee families through education, empowerment and community support.

Annually, more than 200 English-language learners and little ones come to Todos Juntos to learn to read, write and speak English in classes taught by Austin Community College instructors and to help their children become “school ready” through TJ’s evidence-based early childhood education.

Your support of Power of Language helps provide a strong, dignified community of dualgeneration learning for our familias

For more information about Todos Juntos, or to get involved in our community, please contact:

Christina Collazo founder and executive director christina@todosjuntoslc.org