by Diana Pando

On Thursday, May 21st, 2015, TRP’s 25th Anniversary Gala Host Committee held a Noche de Celebración reception at Chicago’s East Bank Club.  At this festive event these leaders gathered TRP supporters to celebrate this milestone and provided them a sneak peek of TRP’s strategic vision for 2020.  The event was attended by corporate partners, civic leaders, supporters, and media.

Raul Raymundo, TRP’s CEO, thanked community leaders and staff for working tirelessly to build healthy communities. He recounted how TRP was started in Pilsen by neighbors from six area parishes who raised seed capital in the amount of $30,000 that has since been leveraged into $346 million in community investment.

“For the last 25 years, through hard work and passion, we have been able to create a successful organization,” said Raul. “However, we are just getting started because TRP is committed to doing more in the next five years than in the last 25.”

This means TRP will continue to partner with communities to provide even more solutions and resources like affordable housing, financial capability, peace and safety, vital education pipeline programs, and immigration reform.

During the program he also thanked the host committee members for all of their hard work and JPMorgan Chase for their commitment and service as the presenting sponsor of TRP’s Gala.

Claudia Martinez, a student living at TRP’s La Casa Student Housing, also gave a passionate testimonial about overcoming obstacles while trying to become the first in her family to graduate from college, and the critical support she is experiencing through La Casa Student Housing and Resource Center.

“La Casa has impacted me both academically and professionally,” said Claudia. “As a result of living at La Casa, I have been able to obtain internships in Chicago and New York and receive the academic support I need to graduate at the end of this year.” Guests listened attentively and some were moved to tears by her story of struggle.

Antonio Ortiz, President of Cristo Rey High School, Gala Host Committee member, and TRP board member, thanked the committee members for all of their hard work. He shared his excitement about why he’s involved with TRP and its impact on the community.

“TRP is touching so many facets of people’s lives,” Ortiz said, “ranging from the DACA workshops at Cristo Rey High School to the Resurrection Basketball League providing youth with a fun and safe place to go during the summer.”

He also noted that TRP is leading the way in community development and its importance to communities beyond Pilsen. “Nonprofits from around the country are starting to look at TRP’s model to see if it can be replicated in other parts of the country.”

Antonio also encouraged everyone in attendance to get involved and support the 25th Anniversary Gala event by helping raise enough money to implement TRP’s strategic vision for 2020.

The gala will be held on October 22nd and will bring together more than 500 of Chicago’s civic, business, and community leaders to celebrate TRP’s impact and share its vision for the future. The gala will also feature testimony and commendation from Chicago area dignitaries, a cocktail reception and dinner, and performances showcasing community culture.

Return to Nueva Vida July 2015 here.