Austin-based nonprofit Con Mi MADRE is celebrating its 10-year anniversary by honoring 10 Austin mother-daughter teams for their dedication to programs that empower young Latinas seeking post-secondary education, the organization announced.

The organization’s 10th annual Corazón Awards on May 11th will honor 10 mother-daughter teams in various stages of the Con Mi MADRE program, which begins in sixth grade and follows Latina girls through college graduation.

“The 10 mother-daughter teams being honored this year epitomize the mission of Con Mi MADRE and have demonstrated a commitment to our programs and, more importantly, to their own futures,” said Con Mi MADRE Executive Director Dr. Johanna Moya Fábregas. “From budding engineers to aspiring graphic designers, they are all rising stars who will be making a difference for generations to come.”

This year’s honorees include the following mother-daughter teams from Austin:

·         Anais and Pilar Cruz

·         Savanah and Priscilla Zambrano

·         Briana and Sonia Cuero

·         Elizabeth Lopez and Patricia Zarate-Lopez

·         Irais and Alma Romero and Bernarda Juarez

·         Karen Gonzalez and Connie Suarez

·         Diana and Katie Garcia and Teresa Gomez

·         Ideyanira and Maria Evelia Rodriguez

·         Esmeralda and Ixel Aguilar and Silvia Puente Aguilar

·         Cynthia and Edelmira De La Cruz

Con Mi MADRE currently serves 1,022 mother-daughter teams in 29 middle and high schools in the Austin area and recently launched chapters in Fort Worth and El Paso.

Because research shows that students whose parents involved in their education are more likely to succeed academically, Con Mi MADRE requires that mothers join the program with their daughters and participate in all aspects of programming, from participating in community service to touring college campuses. Con Mi MADRE’s workshops and conferences are presented bilingually and with the Latino community in mind.

In 2000, 25% of Hispanic females were enrolled in college. In 2016, that percentage rose to 44% , according to the U.S. Department of Commerce Census Bureau.

“While there has been a surge in the number of Hispanic females continuing their education after high school, there is still a pressing need to prepare our chicas for a successful college experience. We continue to knock down barriers by working to improve access to post-secondary education and graduation, one student at a time,” said Dr. Moya Fábregas. “Because celebrating success is a crucial part of empowering young women, we’re looking forward to doing just that at our gala.  I’m excited to reflect and celebrate the hard work of our families, our staff, and the community that supports Con Mi MADRE!”

The Corazón Awards gala will take place in downtown Austin on Saturday, May 11^th at the JW Marriott and will be emceed by Stephanie Bergara, native Austinite and lead singer of Bidi Bidi Banda, and will include music by DJ Chorizo Funk.

The Corazón Awards programming will include a silent auction, an awards ceremony and much more. In addition to programming, there will be a cocktail welcome reception, seated dinner, and an after-party. The organization’s new executive director, Dr. Moya Fábregas, will also be introduced to Con Mi MADRE supporters and stakeholders at the gala.

About Con Mi MADRE

Con Mi MADRE is a two-generation organization that empowers young Latinas and their mothers through education and support services that increase preparedness, participation, and success in post-secondary education. Con Mi MADRE translates to “with my mother,” which exemplifies the unique element of our programming that intentionally engages mothers in their daughter’s educational journey from 6th grade through college graduation. Con Mi MADRE currently serves 1,022 mother-daughter teams in 29 middle and high schools in the Austin area and recently launched a chapter in Fort Worth, welcoming 53 mother-daughter teams in Fort Worth ISD in the fall. This is in addition to its El Paso chapter, which hosts 151 mother-daughter teams in El Paso ISD. The majority of families are low-income and most of the girls will be first-generation college graduates.