Sacred Heart
At the age of 15, Sacred Heart Children’s Home welcomed Audrey Castillo into her new home. During her stay, she built close connections with the Sisters as they supported her journey by teaching her life values, morals & priorities for her future. “They have supported me in every way that they deemed suitable to help me create a foundation of success.” Her guidance and support from the sisters have allowed her to grow and develop as she enters a new chapter finishing University as she serves for the United States Navy. Her guidance from the sisters have given her the necessary tools to become successfully independent. https://vimeo.com/761594154
Casa De La Misericordia
From an early age, Maria De Los Angeles Ibarra, suffered mental and physical abuse starting at a young age and throughout her life until her adulthood. Her life of abuse continued throughout her marriage until her child bearing years. Her children gave her the courage to escape the abuse she was encountering to protect them from a life of violence. She sought asylum from Casa De Misericordia when a neighbor recommended their assistance to her. There she was able to begin the process of healing through education, counseling, and assistance to be able to leave her perpetrators with services that can assist her and her family. https://vimeo.com/761563493
Laredo Cancer Society
LAREDO CANCER SOCIETY, (956) 615-4297, 1700 E. Saunders Ste. A 110 Helps, supports and provides assistance to cancer patients to help them pay gas, rent and utilities when the hospital bills stacked up.
Pillar Strong
PILLAR STRONG, (956) 723-7457, 6406 Mcpherson Unit #2 Provides readily accessible, quality mental health and substance abuse addiction care for men, women, youth, and families in an atmosphere that promotes compassion, respect and well being for all.
Girls Scouts of Greater South Texas, Inc.
Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls, with proven results. There’s nothing like helping girls find their voices and use them to change the world. Although girls are of top priority within the organization, the volunteers who guide them are key to what makes the Girl Scout Movement going. As a Girl Scout troop leader, individuals are called to the challenge of filling important roles in girls’ lives; The should be a fearless leader, an empowering role model, and an innovative event organizer, among other qualities. Girl Scout volunteer, Veronica Ramirez, shares her perspective on being a leader to Troop 9158 and gives credit of motivation to the girls she leads. At the start of last year, the coronavirus outbreak struck immediately at the end of cookie seasonand ultimately made troops and their leaders pivot with the change much like that of the rest of the world. This year, the Girl Scouts are back, and have found safe and innovative ways to carry on the tradition of helping their local communities, becoming resourceful and creative during the downtime. Within the last year, the twenty-six members of Troop 9158 of Laredo, Texas rose up to the challenge together and have participated in numerous community service acts such as collecting donations for Las Alturas Nursing Home, gathering necessary supplies for the Pantry of Hope as well as supporting the same organization’s “Hope in A Bag” program for children in foster care. Girl Scouts is a girl-led movement meaning that girls play an active part in figuring out the what,where, when, how and the why of their Girl Scout activities. “I do my best at ensuring that our troop as girl-led as possible,” says troop leader Ramirez. “Twice a month my co-leader and I make time to meet on Zoom and hear ideas from the girls which there always is!” Ramirez says. It is important to guide and inspire girls as they embrace new challenges, build important skills, and take the lead within the community. “Their motivation motivates me on a daily basis and even keeps me active within my community,” says Ramirez. “Mentor a Girl Scout or work with other adults to provide the kind of behind-the-scenes support that makes it possible for her to make amazing new memories at Girl Scouts! Reach your full potential as you help her discover hers, and together, change the world!” Girl Scouts a non-profit organization that provides programs with the support of grants and donations. They are a proud member of the United Way of Laredo. Your support of United Way, helps to ensure that agencies like the Girl Scouts provide programs for girls in our community. For more information on how you can support the United Way or any of their network of agencies contact the United Way at uwlaredo@unitedwaylaredo.org or visit their website at www.unitedwaylaredo.org If you are in need of community resources and are not sure where to turn dial 2-1-1 for information on programs and services in available in our community. https://vimeo.com/606017405
South Texas Food Bank
The South Texas Food Bank’s (STFB) has been serving the South Texas community for over 30 years. Their mission is “to alleviate hunger in the eight-county service area in the South Texas area by collecting and distributing food through partner agencies and programs while creating awareness and educating the community on the realities of hunger.” The organization was established in the late 1980’s when state and federal governments were not able to provide sufficient resources to alleviate the hunger problems in Laredo. Several concerned citizens and community leaders decided to create a community food pantry to help feed the hungry in our community. Today, with the support of community sponsors and partners, the South Texas Food Bank serves eight counties: Val Verde, Kinney, Maverick, Dimmit, Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Starr. Besides providing support to food pantries the STFB has several programs that help support targeted areas of need. Some of the programs they have are the Adopt a Family, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps), the emergency food assistance program, the Backpack Program, and the Kid’s Café’s. Guillermo Sosa never thought he would need to turn to the food bank for help. He felt a ping of strangeness on his first visited the South Texas Food Bank. He had worked hard to ensure he would have the means to provide for himself and his family. But COVID-19 had forced itself upon Sosa’s life, as it did with many others, leading them to change how they lived. “But, you know, the employees at the food bank were so polite that it comforted me in seeking this assistance,” Sosa said recalling his first visit. The double c and s in the word success stands for more than a reminder of enunciation. It serves as an important reminder of togetherness. Together, for example, people can spread more hope. As a freelance photographer, Sosa began to slowly lose his way of earning money. His creative outlet would also be unfortunately affected by the grip of the pandemic. However, Sosa began feeding his creativity through the culinary arts. With each supplemental box he received from the food bank, Sosa was confronted with an offering of possibilities. “I’ve always enjoyed cooking. The food bank just revived that for me,” Sosa said. “I would get all these ingredients and since we had to stay home, I’d make a different plate each day.” The food bank had inadvertently helped Sosa satisfy two hungers: his physical need as well as his hunger for creating. Sosa has since created many plates with the ingredients provided to him by the South Texas Food Bank and has regained his footing. Your support of United Way, helps to ensure that agencies like the STFB are able to provide food to families in south Texas. For more information on how you can support the United Way of Laredo or any of their network of agencies contact the United Way at uwlaredo@unitedwaylaredo.org or visit their website at www.unitedwaylaredo.org If you are in need of community resources and are not sure where to turn dial 2-1-1 for information on programs and services in available in our community.
Kidney Foundation of Laredo
For those with kidney disease, dialysis is a life saving service. It helps many to be able to see the next day and spend more time with their families. Kidney Foundation of Laredo has been instrumental in providing services and information to those with kidney disease. They connect clients with the resources they need, such as help with transportation vouchers, vitamins and medical supplements for renal patients, and help with medical visits for transplants. Because many patients need to have two to three times a week, family members cannot always take them. Therefore, Kidney Foundation helps those who need this transportation assistance. Many testify to the great work Kidney Foundation does for our community. “God is great!” says Armando Suarez, who has been living with diabetes and kidney disease. He says it’s not an easy task but is manageable with positive thinking and will power. Through the help of Kidney Foundation of Laredo, he was able to get professional help from V.A. doctors and good advice from experts at Satellite Health Clinic. “At first, it was hard for me.” Mentally, Armando had to accustom to a new experience on dialysis. He thought it was the end. However, as time went on it got easier for him. Nowadays, Armando is able go in and out from dialysis with no problems. Currently, he is active on the transplant list with a V.A. hospital, Michael DeBaky V.A. Medical Center in Houston, TX. This is, hopefully, where Armando will soon receive his transplant. He has been able to meet the surgeon and the whole team already. To prepare for the upcoming transplant, Armando has been following a strict diet and staying away from certain foods, in addition to getting plenty of exercise. He asserts that, “life is good.” Armando is just one example of the lives you touch when you give to United Way of Laredo. With your support, United Way is able to provide financial resources to agencies like Kidney Foundation to ensure they are able to provide programs and services to those in need. For more information on how you can support the United Way of Laredo or any of their network of agencies contact the United Way at uwlaredo@unitedwaylaredo.org or visit their website at www.unitedwaylaredo.org If you are in need of community resources and are not sure where to turn dial 2-1-1 for information on programs and services in available in our community. [wr_column span=”span4″ ][wr_image el_title=”donate” image_file=”https://unitedwaylaredo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PayPal-Donate-Button-High-Quality-PNG.png” image_size=”full” link_type=”url” image_type_url=”https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=LFUEMWNDDLUZG” open_in=”current_browser” image_container_style=”no-styling” image_alignment=”inherit” image_margin_bottom=”30″ appearing_animation=”0″ disabled_el=”no” ][/wr_image][/wr_column][wr_column span=”span4″ ]
Laredo Crime Stoppers
Laredo Crime Stoppers continues to thrive near the verge of celebrating 40 years in the community. In the year of 2020, when the world was chaos during a time everything was uncertain communities across the nation including ours experienced the pandemic, in every aspect. The organization learned really quick that in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it had towards the organization and the undoubtedly lack of fundraising they knew the organization can do much more for the community during the time it mattered the most. Chantell Liles, President stated, “Laredo Crime Stoppers quickly adapted flawlessly into a virtual setting, to ensure TIPSTERS continued to get rewarded for information that help either solve or prevent a crime and got TIPSTERS paid. The Board of Directors continued to meet regularly to carry out the mission of as an unwavering priority.” In addition, the organization helped the city and other agencies promote the health and safety CDC guidelines and encouraged people to call the TIPS hotline to report COVID-19 violations. LCS, scripted, produced and aired PSA’s that helped remind the community to social distance and wash their hands properly among other updates and release on a day to day. Laredo Crime Stoppers recognized the importance of understanding that the fight for a safer Laredo/ Webb County was not like any other year but that this year we had first responders and frontline workers helping to do just that. LCS continued to receive calls to the 24/7 Hotline which only meant criminal activity was still happening and someone had to investigate with COVID as a concern, LPD had to also adapt quickly to make sure they weren’t only safe from the criminal element but now a viral organism that can potentially cause illness of up to death. LPD were able to continue to investigate and do their job fully suited and sanitized for their safety and others. Crime Stoppers, alongside Laredo Police Department and other partnered law enforcement agencies, worked tirelessly and relentlessly to do the job the community was counting on them to do. Laredo Crime Stoppers helps make our community a safer place to live and work. For more information on how you can support Laredo Crime Stoppers or the United Way of Laredo contact the United Way at uwlaredo@unitedwaylaredo.org or visit their website at www.unitedwaylaredo.org If you are in need of community resources and are not sure where to turn dial 2-1-1 for information on programs and services in available in our community. [wr_column span=”span4″ ][wr_image el_title=”donate” image_file=”https://unitedwaylaredo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PayPal-Donate-Button-High-Quality-PNG.png” image_size=”full” link_type=”url” image_type_url=”https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=LFUEMWNDDLUZG” open_in=”current_browser” image_container_style=”no-styling” image_alignment=”inherit” image_margin_bottom=”30″ appearing_animation=”0″ disabled_el=”no” ][/wr_image][/wr_column][wr_column span=”span4″ ]
Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center
The Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center (RBC) has been helping people for over 60 years. Jackie Rodriguez, Executive Director for The Cowl Center said, “Mrs. Cowl was an incredible lady. She had a vision to create a place that helps provide support programs for people suffering from polio with physical and emotional restoration.” With her compassion, Ruthe B. Cowl helped those with birth defects, strokes, brain injuries, amputations, and other conditions that could affect their quality of life. The Cowl Center’s mission is to assist all individuals with disabilities whose condition can be improved by the rehabilitation services offered by the center regardless of age, origins, race, nationality, creed, or economic status. United Way of Laredo supports the center with financial resources. United Way’s support helps The Cowl Center to provide vital program services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. The also help patients with pain management, wound care, counseling, and social services. Robert Lozano was hospitalized last year after contracting COVID-19. During his hospitalization Mr. Lozano was intubated and placed in an induced coma for 25 days. While in the coma, he was diagnosed as having had a stroke. The stroke was attributed to a blood clot caused by the virus. Mr. Lozano’s road to recovery has been a long one. He was transferred from the hospital to a long-term recovery facility. By trade, Mr. Lozano worked in carpentry. He was able to work without limitations and provide for his family. Mr. Lozano lives with his wife, son, and daughter in a two-story house. His bedroom is on the second floor, but for now he is staying on the first floor in a hospital bed. Dr. Gustavo Villarreal, referred Mr. Lozano to The Cowl Center for skilled physical and occupational therapy. This therapy will help him to address the physical deficits left behind. Mr. Lozano is fortunate to have survived both the COVID-19 virus and the stroke. When Mr. Lozano first arrived at The Cowl Center, he was transported via ambulance and was on a stretcher due to his deconditioned physical state, unstable mobility, and inability to sit or stand. Today, Robert has met many goals such as sitting unsupported alongside his bed, standing with little assistance and walking using a walker with contact guard assistance for safety due to his rapid fatigue. Robert and his family feel that without the help of the dedicated and skilled therapists and rehab personnel at The Cowl Center, his current recovery status would not have been achieved. They are extremely grateful that they found the incredible resources at the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center. Robert Lozano is just one example of the lives you touch when you give to United Way of Laredo. With your support, United Way is able to provide financial resources to agencies like Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center to ensure they are able to provide programs and services to those in need. For more information on how you can support the United Way of Laredo or any of their network of agencies contact the United Way at uwlaredo@unitedwaylaredo.org or visit their website at www.unitedwaylaredo.org If you are in need of community resources and are not sure where to turn dial 2-1-1 for information on programs and services in available in our community. https://vimeo.com/607447521
Literacy Volunteers of Laredo
Established in 1986, Literacy Volunteers of Laredo’s (LVL) mission is to provide confidential student-centered instruction and assistance from trained volunteers. Their goal is to provide adults with limited reading, writing, and/or English proficiency skills at no cost to their clients.Gloria Vasquez, Executive Director for the LVL, said “The program consists of staff who recruit, train, and match volunteer tutors with non-reading adults who need individualized basic reading. LVL also offers instruction for English as a second language (ESL). These classes are intended for those who are not native English speakers.” Beatriz M. Garcia Fuentes is a student in the LVL adult literacy program. LVL is helping her to achieve her dreams. Beatriz first joined LVL to improve her English, but she now hopes to become a United States citizen. Beatriz enjoys the classes because, she is surrounded with people just like her trying to learn. “At first, I was afraid that people would laugh at me. I was embarrassed but, LVL has helped me to get closer to my dream” Beatriz said. Vasquez shared that “Beatriz is so committed to achieving her goal that she has been recognized by her tutors for her perfect attendance.” While Beatriz’s goal is to become a US citizen, her dream is to be able to vote. Vasquez believes that the classes have increased Beatriz’s self-esteem. “She has pride in her abilities and her determination has encouraged her to move forward and succeed,” said Vasquez.Ms. Vasquez who has been with the organization for more than 10 years, has seen firsthand the great work that is accomplished by the organization. She is extremely grateful for all of the dedicated volunteers who tutor and serve on the organization’s board of directors. Vasquez said, “It is a blessing to see the smiles on our participant’s faces when they pass their citizenship test or receive their GED.” With your support, United Way is able to provide financial resources to agencies like Literacy Volunteers of Laredo to ensure they are able to provide their literacy assistance programs and services to those in need. Vasquez noted, “It’s amazing how vital it is to be able to read something as simple as a medicine prescription.” For more information on how you can support the United Way of Laredo or any of their network of agencies contact the United Way at uwlaredo@unitedwaylaredo.org or visit their website at www.unitedwaylaredo.org If you are in need of community resources and are not sure where to turn dial 2-1-1 for information on programs and services in available in our community. https://vimeo.com/606115687
