Meet our partners serving Latino communities
Happy National Latino Heritage Month!
¡Felicidades en el mes nacional de la herencia Latina!
To celebrate National Latino Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), also known as National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re highlighting new partnerships from our CalMoneySmart and Student Loan Empowerment Network grant programs. These efforts aim to boost financial literacy and protect student borrower protection in California’s Latino communities.
“At MEDA, we envision generations of Latino families choosing where to call home, thriving economically, succeeding in learning opportunities, and leading policy and social change toward a more equitable society.”
Luis Granados
CEO
Mission Economic Development Agency – San Francisco (Bay Area)
The Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) offers free, comprehensive services to all. It focuses on the Latinx community in the San Francisco Bay Area. Based in San Francisco’s Mission District, MEDA is advancing a national equity movement. It aims to build Latino prosperity, community ownership, and civic power.
As a grantee of the 2024-26 CalMoneySmart program, MEDA will offer free, culturally responsive, wealth-building financial education workshops. It will also offer a 1:1 financial coaching program to support informed decision-making and active financial management.
“My inspiration comes from my lived experience as an immigrant that was fully shaped by my parents’ efforts to create a stable life for our family in this country,” says Granados. “Now, I have the privilege to uplift the warmth, drive, and humanity of the families and community members of the Mission District’s Latino community and beyond.”
“Learning and using the tools of financial literacy helps families create action plans for stability and optimism,” advises Granados. “Listen and learn about the lives and inherent assets of your community members so that you can articulate an inspiring vision and design services that meet them where they are, from a position of strength, as they begin their financial literacy and wealth-building journeys.”
“National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor our rich cultural heritage and recognize the ongoing efforts to overcome economic barriers. I am motivated by a desire to ensure that these communities have the tools and support needed to achieve lasting financial success and build wealth for future generations.”
Chris Iglesias
CEO
The Unity Council – Oakland (Bay Area)
The Unity Council, or the Spanish Speaking Unity Council, offers tailored financial literacy programs in Spanish and other languages spoken by Bay Area Latinos. Its mission is to create opportunities for long-term success and stability for underserved communities. Its outreach focuses on Latino communities, among others, experiencing economic disparities.
As a grantee of the 2024-26 CalMoneySmart program, The Unity Council will provide financial education to low-income individuals and immigrants. It will use both classroom and web-based methods. The curriculum includes an introduction to homebuying and investing. The courses offer instruction in Spanish and the Mayan Language Mam, among others.
“Understanding the concept of generational wealth is of paramount importance,” says Velázquez. “For Latino communities in California, building generational wealth means creating financial stability that can be passed down through families, breaking cycles of economic hardship and fostering a legacy of prosperity. This involves not just accumulating assets but also making informed financial decisions, investing wisely, and prioritizing education and savings.”
On financial literacy, Velázquez advises to “focus on both immediate and long-term goals. Start with foundational financial education—budgeting, saving, and understanding credit—and build from there. Don’t hesitate to leverage community resources and seek guidance from financial experts who understand your unique needs, including language barriers, immigration status, and levels of mistrust in financial institutions.”
“Every day, we encounter families facing legal challenges often rooted in financial difficulties. We assist them by addressing consumer issues, student loan concerns, homelessness prevention, and other obstacles that may impede their ability to provide for their families, supporting their journey towards financial empowerment.”
Pablo Ramírez
Executive Director
Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino – San Bernardino
The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino (LASSB) is a legal aid group. It supports vulnerable families in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Its mission is to provide comprehensive legal help. It addresses issues like consumer and student loan debt, foreclosure, and homelessness as well as family legal matters. LASSB helps people build wealth and secure their future. It does this by teaching them to manage their finances.
LASSB is one of six specialized support providers in the Student Loan Empowerment Network. Through this, it will offer community-based counseling and legal services. Furthermore, it will help borrowers manage their student loans and access federal benefits to repay or forgive their loans.
“My work is inspired by a commitment to justice and equality,” says Ramírez. “Having witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by vulnerable families in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, as well as my own personal experiences of injustice within my own family, I am driven to make a meaningful impact. My dedication is fueled by a desire to create lasting change and ensure that justice is accessible to all.”
“Financial literacy is a powerful tool for overcoming socioeconomic barriers and achieving financial independence,” advises Ramírez. “You must know some key financial concepts. These include budgeting, building an emergency fund, and learning to save and invest for long-term wealth. But financial literacy is more than just managing money. It creates opportunities, fosters resilience, and offers economic empowerment tools.”