A Look Back at an Unforgettable Night
Enlace Chicago’s Annual Gala was a powerful celebration of more than 35 years of community impact in Little Village and across Chicago.
Together with community leaders, partners, and supporters, we honored the resilience, culture, and collective strength that continue to drive our mission forward.
Thanks to our community’s incredible generosity, we raised more than $116,000 — bringing us incredibly close to our fundraising goal — to support Enlace Chicago’s work across Community Health, Immigration, Education, Community Safety, and Mental Health.
Help us reach the finish line by clicking the donate link above. An additional contribution today will help close the remaining gap and sustain the vital programs and services supporting Little Village families.
Already contributed? Help spread the word by sharing this message with someone who believes in equity, opportunity, and community care. You can also check whether your employer offers a matching gift program to help double your impact. Every donation, match, and share strengthens our collective impact.
Honoring Community, Culture & Leadership
From the vibrant performances by Mariachi Sirenas and
La Sonora Dinamita to the heartfelt stories shared throughout the night, every moment reflected the spirit and corazón of our community.
Guests gathered to celebrate Enlace Chicago’s rich history of organizing, advocacy, and community-centered impact while recognizing the leaders who continue to inspire meaningful change.
This year, Enlace proudly honored the recipients of the
Fuerza y Corazón Awards for their leadership and unwavering commitment to community:
Elvia Ochoa of La Villita Se Defiende,
Matt DeMateo of New Life Centers,
Rey Raigoza of Urban Warriors,
Elianne Bahena of the Little Village Rapid Response Team
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A Tribute to Courageous Community Leadership
We also celebrated our Poderosa Leadership Award recipients:
Andrea O’Malley Muñoz for Legacy Leadership,
State Senator Celina Villanueva for Visionary Leadership,
Eréndira “Ere” Rendón for Champion of Change,
and Andrea Xochitl Guzmán for Community Leadership.
Their stories reminded us of the importance of leading with courage, compassion, and a deep commitment to justice and dignity for all.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and guests, Enlace Chicago can continue advancing critical work in community health, immigration services, education, violence prevention, and mental health programming for thousands of youth and families each year.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating this special milestone and for continuing to stand alongside Little Village and the communities we serve.