templo

Multi Generational Impact: The Mejia Family's Story

yanet@tccdc.org — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 20:39:22 GMT

Multi Generational Impact: The Mijia Family's Story

As 2023 comes to a close, Templo Calvario Community Development Corporation (TCCDC) wishes you and your family a joyous holiday season and a very Happy New Year. As we have for the last 20 years, we remain hopeful and committed to achieving our vision of Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities. We recognize and believe that this vision will only become a reality if we support our theory of change, Families Building a Legacy. As we look not only to next year but to the next 20 years, TCCDC has faith that you, as a member of our community, will continue to join us in uplifting other members of our community not just for today, but for tomorrow as well.

The generational impact of our holistic programming can be seen in so many of our families and your gift today will affect the lives of our clients for many years to come. Children enrolled in our Edward B. Cole Sr. Academy public charter school and Empowered Scholars afterschool program are provided social, emotional, cognitive, and academic education that helps them thrive. Teens who participate in our Banking on Our Youth (BOY) program learn financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills that promote economic mobility. And when parents participate in our Legado Academy (which uniquely combines parent training and financial education to combat the root causes of poverty), the entire family’s development and economic future can change.

One of these families is the Mejia Rodriguez Family. Their journey with TCCDC began over 10 years ago when Maria joined our parenting and financial education classes, now called Legado Academy. Through these classes, Maria learned skills that not only empowered her to become a dedicated volunteer and community leader, but to support her son Alexis’ educational journey who was 9 years old at the time. Later, Alexis participated in BOY where he credits TCCDC for shaping his abilities to network, advocate for himself, and manage his finances. In fact, Alexis leveraged these skills and helped his parents establish legal U.S. residency, a true testament to his resilience and determination as well as his commitment to family and community. Today, Maria continues to volunteer at TCCDC and Alexis is a Harvard graduate! One day, Alexis aspires to become a judge to help increase Latino representation in the justice system. Maria shared, “we would like to take advantage of the opportunity to thank everyone at TCCDC for being part of our son’s academic success. We, as a family, know that this recognition is in great part due to the support we have given Alexis as parents. Our success as parents is due to the help we were given on how to prepare to be better parents through the parenting training classes. Not only did we receive training, but have always received moral support and economic assistance, especially during the pandemic.”

Our families demonstrate incredible dedication to improving their personal, educational, and economic futures. Together, with your support, we can continue to walk alongside these families in their journeys. Please visit our website to learn more about our work, how to volunteer, and how to make a tax-deductible donation to support our efforts to help our community thrive.

Empowering Lives Dinner 2023

yanet@tccdc.org — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 08:23:16 GMT

Empowering Lives Dinner 2023 Recap

The Annual Empowering Lives Fundraising Dinner, held on March 10, 2023, marked a significant

milestone in Templo Calvario CDC’s 20th anniversary. With a gathering of 120 esteemed guests in

attendance, the event proved to be a resounding success, exemplifying the strong support the

organization has garnered over the years. The occasion commemorated two decades of dedicated service and showcased the profound impact Templo Calvario CDC has had on the Santa Ana community.

The event's main focus was on raising funds to further the organizations mission of empowering the youth and families of Santa Ana. Through its diverse programs, Templo Calvario CDC has become a vital pillar of support for the community. By offering critical resources, mentorship, and educational initiatives, the organization plays a pivotal role in nurturing the younger generation’s potential and strengthening families in need.

The fundraising efforts were met with great enthusiasm and generosity from the attendees, resulting in a remarkable total of $93,000 raised during the evening. These funds will serve as a lifeline for the continuation and expansion of Templo Calvario CDC's essential programs, ensuring that their impactful work can persist and flourish.

The highlight of the Annual Empowering Lives Fundraising Dinner on March 10, 2023, was the

recognition of Dawn Reese, who was honored with The Empowering Lives Award. This prestigious award celebrated her outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to the betterment of the Santa Ana community. Through her dedication, she embodies the spirit of empowerment that Templo Calvario CDC holds dear.

The events success was made possible through the wholehearted support of numerous partners and sponsors. Notably, Pacific Premier Bank stood as the Title Sponsor, demonstrating their dedication to fostering positive change within the community. Their generosity and commitment were instrumental in making the evening a triumph.

Guiding the proceedings with charm and enthusiasm were the event MCs, Cecy Rivera and Andrew Rodriguez, both distinguished alumni of Templo Calvario CDC's Banking On Our Youth program. Their presence added a personal touch to the event, showcasing the tangible impact of Templo Calvario CDC's initiatives on the lives of the youth.

The evening was further enriched by a captivating performance from the Edward B. Cole Sr. Academy's dance team, comprising kinder through 5th graders. Their spirited and skillful presentation underscored the potential nurtured by Templo Calvario CDC's programs and added a vibrant energy to the event.

Amidst the festivities, the attendees were treated to the humor and motivational insights of comedian Dennis Gaxiola. His call to action, urging each individual to embrace their capacity to create positive change, resonated deeply with the events purpose and left a lasting impact on all those present.

In sum, the Annual Empowering Lives Fundraising Dinner not only celebrated Templo Calvario CDC's 20th anniversary but also reinforced the organizations pivotal role in uplifting the youth and families of Santa Ana. The event showcased the power of collective generosity, dedication, and community spirit, setting the stage for continued growth, empowerment, and positive transformation.

Ending The Year With Success

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 17:21:50 GMT

2023 is quickly approaching, and before we talk about goals for next year, at Templo Calvario Community Development Corporation (TCCDC) we want to reflect on the big and small successes of 2022 because we know none of it would have been possible without supporters like you. The true success of our programs and services is not in the number of people we serve, but in the impact we have on each individual who walks through our doors. There are so many stories to share, and we are pleased to tell you Diana G.’s story. Diana recently completed our Santa Ana Parent Project (SAPP), a highly effective peer-to-peer educational program designed to help parents raise healthy, highly capable, and responsible children. TCCDC was proud to relaunch SAPP this year with additional curriculum and in new sites in Santa Ana Unified School District to meet the growing needs of our community.

To say that SAPP transformed Diana’s life would be an understatement because not only is Diana’s life changed forever, but her children’s lives are as well. Diana is a mother of three, and two of her children currently attend TCCDC’s Edward B. Cole Sr. Academy (EBC) and TCCDC’s Empowered Scholars Afterschool Program. Diana grew up in Santa Ana and unfortunately, lost a brother with whom she was very close to gang violence. When Diana’s youngest child turned one, Diana decided that she wanted to turn her life around not just for herself, but for her children. She started by stepping away from her group of friends who were a negative influence on her life, going back to school to earn her GED, and getting involved in her children’s lives at school. During one of the SAPP Family Fun nights at EBC, TCCDC’s Family Program Coordinator met Diana and encouraged her to sign up for the next session of SAPP. Since Nicole started SAPP, she showed incredible dedication. She didn’t miss a single class, and frequently volunteered to share her story and experiences with the rest of the group.

Diana expressed that before SAPP, she was not even aware that there was another way to parent her children. “I am grateful to TCCDC because I was given the opportunity to be part of a wonderful class where I could grow and learn to be a better parent and learn from other parents and their experiences. Thank you for all the support and wonderful things we were taught in this class. We bonded and shared many things. Thank you for all this beautiful experience and the new family.”

We are in awe of the progress that Diana made in such a short time, and we are excited to continue supporting her and her family. Diana expressed an interest in continuing her education and our Family Program Coordinator is assisting her with registering for classes at Santa Ana College. In addition, Diana will be participating in our next SAPP Parent Leader training where she will continue to share her story as she helps other families like hers change their lives. We are grateful to supporters like you who helped make stories like this possible. Connect with us to learn more about our work and how to volunteer and/or make a donation to support our core programs.

Thank you,

Rev. Lee de León

President & CEO

The Heart of Volunteerism

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:56:43 GMT

Being of service to others is at the heart of what we do every day at Templo Calvario Community Development Corporation (TCCDC) and we could not do it without the network of supporters who play a critical role in supporting and sustaining our programs. As we work to advance our vision of Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities we are incredibly grateful for the dedication and support of our volunteers who play a critical role in creating meaningful change for those we serve, whether they serve as Banking on Our Youth (BOY) mentors and instructors, Edward B. Cole Sr. Academy and Empowered Scholars Afterschool Program volunteers, Seguro Financial instructors, or generous donors of the organization.

One of these volunteers is Randy B., who has dedicated four years to mentoring students in our BOY program, a highly effective financial literacy and entrepreneurship program that provides high school juniors and seniors in Santa Ana a long-term solution to the systemic challenges of poverty, equity, and economic mobility. Having tutored and mentored within the Santa Ana community for nearly 20 years, Randy was first introduced to TCCDC by a friend and immediately impressed by TCCDC’s holistic approach to educating and empowering families in his community. Randy shared, “I believe in education and TCCDC is providing many different education opportunities for the residents of Santa Ana to be able to achieve their potential.”

As a BOY mentor, Randy shares his experiences as a Santa Ana native, business and marketing student, and sales and marketing manager. Randy tries his best to be a servant leader to help others succeed and he does this by helping TCCDC create a safe place for the highly motivated and talented BOY participants to see what is possible beyond high school and college. When asked what piece of advice he would give to others looking to volunteer in their community, Randy shared, “show up and stay positive even if it seems like it isn’t making a difference. It doesn’t always work or go smoothly, but that is ok. We may never know if we made a difference, it is worth the effort.” BOY program director, Michael, shared, “clearly, Randy’s techniques work well considering his groups of students have earned scholarships the past two years. Although there is not one picture of the perfect mentor, Randy sets the example of the mentor that I hope to be to students.”

We invite you to join Randy and our incredible team of volunteers and supporters as we work to empower and educate residents of Santa Ana and help make generational, transformational impact in our community. Connect with us to learn more about our work and how to volunteer and/or make a donation to support our core programs.

Thank you,

Rev. Lee de León

President & CEO

5th Annual Empowering Lives Dinner 2021

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 00:19:31 GMT

Our team has been enthusiastically preparing to do this year’s 5th Annual Empowering Lives Dinner in-person, and join you and all our partners in celebrating. However, as the Delta Variant surges in Santa Ana, and OC hospitalizations have increased, we have been monitoring circumstances closely. This month, as our students return to Edward B. Cole Academy, we experienced a significant number of absences due to both students and staff testing positive for COVID-19. At the same time, we are also seeing an increase in requests for material and financial assistance from families in Santa Ana. It appears that our city is experiencing additional challenges due to the resurgence of COVID-19.

We are here for the safety and support of our community, and given the rise in cases, we cannot in full conscious carry on with a large in-person event at this time. We have prayerfully considered the situation and sought the advice of trusted partners and community leaders and have concluded that shifting the Empowering Lives Dinner to a virtual event would be in the best interest of Santa Ana. To allow sufficient time to adapt the program to a virtual format, we are postponing the event to Friday, November 12 .

We're sure you share our disappointment that we will not be able to convene in-person to celebrate our commemorative 5 ^th Annual Empowering Lives Dinner and learn more about the work of TCCDC in a face-to-face setting. However, we believe caution is the best approach in light of how hard Santa Ana has been hit by COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic, as we have faced many difficult decisions to pivot our organization in order to best serve our community, we are constantly reminded how important the work is and how much the Santa Ana community needs our support. We are committed to our community in providing additional resources and assistance wherever possible as we stand together during this pandemic. To that end, if you feel so led, we encourage you to provide a donation towards our COVID-19 relief fund, which will support families with an acute need for food and other critical resources.

Please be watching for additional communications as we prepare for the virtual event, which will be released on November 12.

Thank you for your continued support!

Yanet Gonzalez
Chief Operations Officer
Templo Calvario Community Development Corporation

The Impact of Coronavirus

Sun, 10 Jan 2021 03:42:44 GMT

Little Stephanie was born a happy, healthy baby in early February. Her parents, asylum refugees, immigrated to the U.S. nearly a year ago. When the pandemic hit, her father, a landscaper, lost his income. With no family to rely on and no income, these new parents could not afford to purchase diapers for their newborn or food for themselves.

In the midst of the pandemic, with an infant at home, they reached out to Templo Calvario for help. Thanks to generosity of our community, and our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, we have been able to provide this family temporary assistance for diapers and grocery gift cards. Sadly, there are hundreds, if not thousands of families just like Stephanie’s, struggling every day in our community.

Like many nonprofits, the impact of the coronavirus has been deeply felt by our organization and those we serve. While we have seen first-hand the devastation of this pandemic including educational disruptions, job losses, lack of income, and even death, we have also been witness to tremendous strength and perseverance within our community. Every day, the families we serve remain vigilant in their pursuit of better lives and a better future. And it has been an honor to serve and stand with our community through this crisis.

More than a decade ago, Templo Calvario Community Development Corporation made a commitment to transforming lives, transforming our community. And while the delivery of our mission has evolved in response to the challenges our families are facing in the midst of the pandemic, our dedication to this vision not waivered. We continue to focus our efforts on supporting and empowering those we are so fortunate to serve. Over the past several months we have been called to step up and step in to support our community—living out our mission in new ways every day.

Letter from Our COO; Heroes are Among Us

Sun, 10 Jan 2021 00:08:15 GMT

Templo Calvario CDC is more essential than ever before. Thanks to wonderful partners that believe in our work, a dedicated team and the guidance of our Board of Directors, we have not only been able to continue doing our work, but we are growing as an organization and engaging with the communities that we serve in very meaningful ways.

The last few months have brought many challenges that could have been detrimental to our organization, but as a team and as an organization we have decided to turn these challenges into opportunities for growth in many areas.

I am especially proud of our team, and their resiliency during a season when curve balls are constantly being thrown at them. Their hearts and passion to transform lives and communities is so evident in the quality of their work and in their dedication to transforming lives and communities, even when they are facing many personal challenges themselves.

As I am writing this, I am thinking of a team member whose household was hit hard by COVID-19 (her entire household tested positive and some family members ended in the ICU). Just as this team member was returning from sick-leave, one of her family members who had just came home from the hospital, had a heart attack, and was hospitalized, again. Even through all of this, this team member continued working tirelessly to meet the needs of the families like the Sanchez and Patino families. The Sanchez Family lost two family members to COVID-19 within days of each other, all mean while a third family member battled COVID -19 in the ICU. As if this were not enough, the family’s home was broken into and their car stolen. Despite her own troubles, our Hero quickly got to work and made sure that the Sanchez Family received the financial assistance, food vouchers, and referrals they so desperately needed. This same Hero, personally contacted another family that lost their Dad to COVID-19, and not only expedited their application for funeral-related financial support and food vouchers, but also called to encourage the family, prayed with them, and provided them with grief counseling referrals. These are only some of the many stories of hope, resiliency, and transformation that our TCCDC heroes are a part of, every day.

As a CDC, our work has always been important and transformational, but these hard times have shone a light on how essential and life changing our work is to our city and to the many families that we are privileged to serve. I am so blessed and thankful to the Lord for allowing me to witness His love and hand at work through our CDC Heroes. Not all heroes wear capes, some of the ones I know are part of the TCCDC Team. They are regular human beings with extraordinary hearts and the desire and passion to transform lives and communities.

Thank you for your unwavering encouragement and support that enables us to continue to do this transformational work , as we continue to navigate through this season of uncertainty and change. We truly could not do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

With so Much Gratitude,

Yanet Gonzalez

Chief Operations Officer

TCCDC’s Day of Gratitude

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 23:56:30 GMT

The team at Templo Calvario CDC held its first ever Day of G ratitude just before the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Many of the families we serve are facing extreme economic challenges. To support these families over the long weekend, our team purchased essential food items along with some Thanksgiving favorites and delivered boxes of food to nearly a dozen families in need. Each team member wrote a personal note of gratitude and encouragement to the family which also included a $50 Northgate Market gift card! The families we helped were incredibly grateful for the support, but the true blessing was ours—it is our honor to serve the community!

2020 Year End Appeal

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 23:22:27 GMT

Friends of Templo Calvario CDC,

As we near the end of 2020, We are immensely grateful for the support of our community. This past year presented challenge after challenge. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic called on us to transform how we interact with one another, how our children learn, and how we come together as a community to support each other. Thankfully, at Templo Calvario CDC, transformation is part of our DNA—deeply rooted in the core of our organization’s mission and vision.

Standing here today, on the cusp of the New Year, We are humbled by our collective resilience and incredibly proud of the work we have been able to accomplish with your support. This past year we have listened to the needs of our community, adapted our services, and continued to strive towards our vision of empowering and educating low-to-moderate income communities, through a focus on affordable housing, economic development programs, and educational opportunities. Thanks to you, and the hard work of our dedicated staff and volunteers, the families we serve have food on their tables, their children have access to high- quality education, parents are able to connect virtually for much-needed support, and more families have a financial plan for their future.

Looking to the New Year, we renew our commitment to our mission—to work with key communities and stakeholders to unite, build, and transform communities. Yet, we cannot do it alone. We look forward to your co

Visit us online at https://give.cornerstone.cc/tccdc a nd join us in making a difference!

Our COVID-19 Response Update

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 23:09:29 GMT

TCCDC has long been committed to meeting the growing need to create financial equity and resilience among marginalized and disadvantaged families in Santa Ana. While COVID-19 has altered our ability to provide direct programming, our team has developed a comprehensive response plan that includes adapting the delivery of our wraparound services as well as meeting the basic needs of our clients. Not only have we transitioned our financial education and family empowerment programs to digitally- accessible platforms but we have significantly strengthened our digital presence to ensure that the individuals we exist to serve are connected to the resources and programming they need. With these programmatic changes, we have an opportunity to build greater resilience amongst Santa Ana’s most vulnerable families so that, whether in times of a pandemic or not, our community continues to transform for the better.