Letter from the Co-Directors Fall 2019 Early Childhood Development Texas Rising Star Texas Workforce Commission and local affiliate environments, curricula, classroom activities, Borderplex Workforce Solutions have again teacher qualifications and parenting education. certified Project Vida’s Early Childhood Development Center with Texas Rising Star’s 4-Star highest rating. 2019 marks the 19th year of Texas Rising Star certification of the Early Childhood Center for quality child care standards. And, after only a year-and-a-half in operation, Texas Rising Star also certified Project Vida Zavala Center Child Care with a 4-Star rating. Texas Rising Star is a quality rating and improvement system for early childhood programs in the State of Texas. Project Vida’s program exceeds minimum licensing standards with higher quality learning Early Childhood celebrated “Week of the Young Child” April 8-12. University Presbyterian Church University Presbyterian Church’s Outreach Committee made its single largest contribution ever to Project Vida for FY 2018-2019: $23,000 for Early Childhood Development and Project Vida Zavala Center Child Care. UPC is now among Early Childhood’s primary funders, along with United Way of El Paso County ($18,400 in 2019 and $30,000 for 2020) and the City of El Paso’s Community Development Block Grant program ($43,396 in 2019 and proposed $46,961 for 2020).

Water Play Discovering how worms help us Tomato Harvest

Hero Elementary Words of Wisdom Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) in “Fathers and mothers, if you have children, they Minneapolis selected Project Vida’s Early must come first. You must read to your children, Childhood Development as a Hero Elementary and you must hug your children, and you must love partner. Hero Elementary is a school readiness your children. Your success as a family, our success program in science and literacy for children in as a society, depends not on what happens in the grades K-2. Funding and curriculum come from the White House, but on what happens in your house.” U.S. Department of Education’s “Ready to Former First Lady Barbara Bush as quoted in TPT is the coordinating agency Learn” initiative. El Paso Times, May 12, 2019, page 9A. for “Ready to Learn” and invited Project Vida to apply for partnership status and a research component. 2 After-School Enrichment & Youth Development State of Texas Criminal Justice Division Community & Youth Development Support In June, the State of Texas Criminal Justice a game table and field trip. The award greatly Division’s Community & Youth Development enhanced After-School Enrichment’s summer office awarded Project Vida’s out-of-school-time activities for school-age children and youth, and After-School Enrichment program with nearly helped prevent high-risk behaviors during summer $6,000 for 5 new computers, Microsoft software, out-of-school-time.

“C.O.D.E. Busters” Microsoft renewed its grant for “C.O.D.E. Busters” stands for Clever Outstanding Developers with $20,000 to engage middle school participants Empowered. The project’s 5th-8th graders have truly in computer science, digital Technology, coding and “busted” the learning curve in becoming tech-savvy future careers in technology. “C.O.D.E. Busters” and coding-proficient! Best Buy Teen Tech Center Best Buy teamed up with the Eva Longoria Foundation and The Clubhouse Network to award Project Vida’s After-School program with a “Best Buy Teen Tech Center” for teens from low-income families. This award was one of only 6 Best Buy Teen Tech Centers selected nationwide in 2019. The current After-School Enrichment location on Project Vida’s main campus is being re-imagined and re-purposed to accommodate the high-tech equipment and open-space design of a Best Buy Teen Tech Center. The Center will offer a music studio, video and sound production equipment, animation and graphic design capability, 3-D Project Vida is currently raising $50,000 in matching printing and other technology-based tools integrating funds for the Best Buy Teen Tech Center and creativity, computer science, collaboration and future $50,000 in construction funds to remodel the new technology-based career options. After-School Enrichment location. Thank you, When the After-School space begins remodeling for WestStar Bank, El Paso Electric and Hunt Family the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, After-School will be Foundation for contributing the first $25,000 moved to a new location 2 blocks from its current towards the Best Buy Teen Tech Center match! location at Project Vida’s main campus.

3 Children & Youth Respond to Tragedy In the wake of the tragedy in El Paso on August 3rd, participants of all ages in the After-School program created a memorial card and placed it at the site.

After-School Enrichment children and youth create a Memorial Card to remember victims of the shooting in El Paso on August 3rd. “Art 2 Uth” Annual Art Exhibit On August 8, After-School Enrichment held its annual “Art 2 Uth” Exhibit in Project Vida’s Community Room. With a grant from the City of El Paso Museum & Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD), 75 After-School participants continued last year’s theme of “El Paso Secret Dwellers” on the interaction of Chihuahuan Desert flora and fauna with El Paso’s urban landscape. This year’s art medium was sculpture in thematic combination with Alebrijes, mythical creatures from Mexican folklore.

Fenino Conejo Scorpius Canis et Serpentium Soon after the “Art 2 Uth” Exhibit, MCAD awarded After-School Enrichment $6,500 to continue “Art 2 Uth” in 2019-2020. Theme in the coming year will be “discovering your own artistic style through portrayal of an El Paso landmark,” history of El Paso and the landmark, and exposure to styles of well-known artists. The 2019-2020 award is a $500 increase over 2018-2019, and $1,000 increase over 2017-2018!

4 Homelessness Prevention & Recovery Programs Permanent Supportive Housing The conversion of Project Vida’s “Roots & Wings” shelter/transitional living center for homeless single-parent families with 3 or more children to Permanent Supportive Housing has been completed. “Roots & Wings” now serves chronically homeless families with one or more members who have a physical or mental disability. Adoption of the “Housing First” policy by the federal Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and funding in support of the policy was the basis of the “Roots & Wings” conversion. Roots & Wings” apartment in Project Vida’s Permanent Supportive Housing complex Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Homelessness Prevention & Recovery continues to help families and individuals facing eviction remain in their residence to prevent homelessness, and help those already homeless to be rapidly re-housed.

Affordable Housing/Properties New Affordable Housing Complexes Development Corporation’s newest properties in the Affordable Housing program, bringing PVCDC’s affordable housing units in the City of El Paso to 350. 3001 Rivera, South-Central – 10-unit complex ready for occupancy, tenants now moving in.

8301 Leo, Northeast – Occupancy pending for 10-unit complex.

6385 Santiago, Canutillo – Ground has been broken for 30-unit complex.

3001 Rivera at Raynor

Fair Housing PVCDC’s Affordable Housing/Properties program continues its outreach program as the City of El Paso’s Fair Housing contractor.

5 Center for Financial Education El Paso Collaborative for Community Through support from BBVA Compass Bank, & Economic Development Affordable Housing/Properties recently established Through an inter-agency agreement, PVCDC a Center for Financial Education. Purpose of the recently acquired another 501(c)(3) not-for-profit project is to increase the knowledge of PVCDC’s organization, the El Paso Collaborative for Affordable Housing tenants and Chamizal Community & Economic Development. The neighborhood residents in budgeting, saving, credit, Collaborative provides access to home ownership safe and appropriate borrowing, and potential for for qualifying first-time homebuyers, home home ownership. rehabilitation for qualifying homeowners, and home modifications for low-income older adults and persons with disabilities.

Economic Development Microenterprise5’x3’ banner with Technical loop at top/bottom Assistance Program

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

On May 22, MTAP held its annual Donor the following organizations and businesses raised Recognition at clients Gaby and Augustin $168,933 to support grassroots economic Mendoza’s Cima Hardware. In FY 2018-2019, development throughout the City and County of El Paso:

From left, first row: Nicole Ferrini, Director, Department of Community & Human Development, City of El Paso; Barbara Hanna, BBVA Compass Bank; Lupe Mares, Vice President Southwest Region, LiftFund; Ceci Davila, Senior Vice President/Chief Operations Officer, GECU; Gaby & Agustin Mendoza, owners, Cima Hardware; Alexandra Chavez, Vice President, El Paso Market Manager, Bank of America; Courtney Yeatman, Vice President Residential & Cvonstruction Lending, WestStar Bank; Annette Annello, Representative District 2, City of El Paso. From left, second row: Maria Schneider, Marketing Director, Tropicana Homes; Eddie Gutierrez, Vice President, Strategic Communications/Community Engagement, El Paso Electric; Eric Hutson, Project Developer, Project Vida; Kristi Marcum, El Paso Market President, Bank of America; Jerry Romero, Vice President, Community Relations Officer, Wells Fargo. Not shown: Hunt Family Foundation.

6 On September 10, State Representative Mary E. Gonzalez's District Director Josie Arellano toured Project Vida's programs and services in State District 75.

From left: Joyce Davidoff, Grants & External Affairs; Josie Arellano,State Representative Mary E. Gonzalez's new District Director; Eric Hutson, Project Developer, Miriam Vazquez, Community Development Specialist.

On April 11, Project Vida received El Paso Electric’s check for $10,000 for MTAP at the company’s awards event at Southwest University Park.

Recipients of El Paso Electric grants From left: Joyce Davidoff, Grants & External Affairs and Bill Schlesinger, Co-Director, Project Vida; Eddie Gutierrez, Vice President, El Paso Electric

At Fiscal Year End on August 31, 2019, MTAP had accomplished the following in the City and County of El Paso: 614 Outreach contacts 160 Group and individual accounting 177 Low- and moderate-Income training sessions held microbusiness owners enrolled in MTAP 28 Workshops and seminars held Business plans developed 159 111 Jobs retained 124 Jobs created

On October 16, Project Vida received Bank of America’s $7,500 award for MTAP at the Bank’s presentation event at the Magoffin Home.

Recipients of Bank of America grants From left: Karl Bovee, Bank of America Marker Sponsor; Joyce Davidoff; Bill Schlesinger; Kristi Marcum, Bank of America Market President 7 PROJECT VIDA HEALTH CENTER (PVHC) Family Planning Champion

In March, Luis Raul Garza, M.D., was named Family Planning Champion by the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association. Dr. Garza is Chief Medical Officer of Project Vida Health Center (PVHC) including 13 clinics and facilities throughout El Paso and Hudspeth Counties, and the Outreach & Wellness Division.

Luis Raul Garza, M.D.,CMO Project Vida Health Center

Project Vida Health Center Canutillo Northwest Clinic On May 21st, with support from Canutillo Sincere thanks to Dr. Monica Reyes, Canutillo Independent School District, and generous funding ISD’s Executive Director of Student Support from Wells Fargo Foundation on behalf of Wells Services, for championing the District’s backing of Fargo for the Neighborhood LIFT Initiative, and the co-located PVHC Canutillo Northwest Health the Moody Foundation of Galveston, TX, Project Center at 7000 Fifth Street, previously Canutillo Vida Health Center opened its newest primary and Elementary School. PVHC staff joined Dr. Reyes behavioral health clinic in leased building space and members of Canutillo ISD’s executive staff provided by Canutillo ISD. and Board of Trustees at the grand opening ribbon-cutting.

From left: PVHC Promotora Letitia Irigoyen; Bruno Vasquez, AIA, Executive Director of Facilities & Transportation, Canutillo ISD; PVHC Promotora Raquel Burrows. Center in blue jacket: Dr. Monica Reyes. From right: PVHC Promotora Maria Chaparro. Second from right: PVHC Physician Assistant Jazmin Peralta. Third from right: PVHC CEO Bill Schlesinger. Fourth from right, background: PVHC Chief Medical Officer Luis Garza, M.D. More thanks to Wells Fargo for a recent grant of $15,000 for upcoming Clinic expansion for dental services, wellness programs, meeting space and a computer lab! Thanks, Wells Fargo, for generous support for the health of Canutillo and northwest El Paso residents. 8 On August 9, State Representative Joe Moody and Alfredo Garcia, Texas Association of Community Health Centers, visited the PVHC Canutillo Northwest Clinic. The Clinic lies in Representative Moody’s Texas House District 78.

Project Vida Health Center CEO Bill Schlesinger gives State Representative Joe Moody a tour of PVHC’s Canutillo Northwest Health Center.

LGBTQ Health Care Award For the third year in a row, PVHC through its Congratulations to all PVHC sta for inclusive, Outreach & Wellness Division has been cited as a award-winning outreach and health care for the “Top Performer” for LGBTQ services by the LGBTQ community. Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

2019

Hueco Clinic Project Vida Health Center received funding from the expansion allows more therapists to serve more U.S. Department of Health & Human residents at Recovery Alliance who are recovering Services/Health Resources and Services from drug and alcohol addiction, as well as other Administration to expand mental/behavioral health community residents in central El Paso. o ce space at the co-located Hueco Clinic. The

9 OTHER NEWS Visit by Federal Reserve System Governor Michelle Bowman

On March 27th, Governor Michelle Bowman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System, included Project Vida and the migrant hospitality center at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church during her visit to El Paso. St. Thomas’ Father Ed Lucero gave Gov. Bowman and her staff a tour of the migrant center and its operations. Accompanying Gov. Bowman were Dr. Roberto Coronado, President, Dallas Federal Reserve, El Paso Branch. At the time, Project Vida Health Center’s Mobile Clinic staffed by Jessica Romero, P.A., provided screenings to migrants sheltered at St. Thomas. The Mobile Clinic now serves migrants at Casa de Refugio, an affiliate of Annunciation House.

From left: PVHC Physician Assistant Jessica Romero explains Mobile Clinic services to Federal Reserve System Governor Michelle Bowman outside St. Thomas Aquinas’ migrant hospitality center.

From left: Father Ed Lucero of St. Thomas Aquinas shows the supply room of the Church’s migrant hospitality center to Fed Father Ed discusses the migrant situation with Gov. Bowman Governor Michelle Bowman; Jessica Romero, P.A.; and and Fed staff on the St. Thomas Aquinas patio as migrant Dr. Roberto Coronado. teens look on.

10 The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Diversity & Inclusion Council visit Project Vida

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Diversity & Inclusion Council visited Project Vida on September 30th. The Diversity & Inclusion Council serves in an advisory capacity to senior management in diversity and inclusion efforts. The purpose of the Council's visit was to learn about opportunities and challenges in the El Paso community and to provide community service.

Dallas Fed’s Diversity & Inclusion Council help refurbish an After-School Enrichment play area.

11 Contributions & Mission Support Project Vida and sister agencies Project Vida Health Center and P. V. Community Development Corporation exist for the sole purpose of creating “social profit” or “social impact” in the lives of those we serve. We strive to make substantial, positive change in addressing significant social challenges. As contributors, supporters and stakeholders, you are the change agents, the “social investors,” providing the means to improve lives, health and financial well-being. You help us create “social profit.” Unless acknowledged in articles above, the list of your support January 1-August 31, 2019, is as follows:

Guerra Investment Advisors Navarro Research & Engineering Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation Cheryl Parker O’Connor Vangie Acosta & Tina Del Rosario Alice M. Patterson Amerigroup Corporation Perinton Presbyterian Church Irma Avila Presbytery del Cristo John & Elsa Bengel Presbytery of Tres Rios Dorothy C. Black Estate Carol Ramos Janel Champion Perla Reyes Cumberland Presbyterian Church Center Dr. Beatrice & Dr. Stanislaus Ting Gloria Dennison, RN Maria Valadez First Presbyterian Church Mrs. L. Judd In Memory of Pearl LaRock: Avis Knapp Donna M. Minear Mr. & Mrs. Daniel B. Knorr Helen Jean Boling Laura & Don Lara Ross W. Dehlinger, Sr. & Jr. Mario Lechuga Henry Benning Andrea Levere W. J. & Janel Champion Mt. Franklin Insurance Richard & Jennifer Pickett

In Memory of Sister Janet Gildea: The Weicht Family In Honor of the Glass-Gaddy Family: Bonnie Walker

Anonymous Donors through Charities Aid Foundation of America, Charity Gift Certificates, Network for Good, and Valley of the Sun United Way

If we have omitted your name, our sincere apologies. Please contact us if your gift was sent Jan. 1-Aug. 31, 2019, so we can correct our records and acknowledge your support. Call (915) 533-7057, ext. 242; or email [email protected]. Thank you! www.pvida.net

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