MHM Provides New Laptops to Cesar E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundational Scholarship Winners
San Antonio, TX (March 31, 2024) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) is providing a new Dell laptop to 20 scholarship recipients selected by the César E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation (CCLEF). The announcement was made at the annual César E. Chávez Day Águila Awards Gala, held Saturday, March 24 at Brooks Hanger 9. The César E. Chávez Day Águila Awards Gala concludes the César Chavez Day Celebration which began earlier that day with the 28th Annual Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice.
MHM sponsored the events for the first time in 2024 as CCLEF’s goals are closely aligned with its priorities, including addressing food insecurity, the digital divide, access to healthcare, voting rights and wage disparities. In 2023, the scholarship recipients expressed to CCLEF a need for laptops in preparation for their continuing education goals.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the widening digital divide, especially for students who did not have internet access at home, or the hardware needed to participate in virtual learning environments. The laptop donation is one small step towards closing that gap for these students.
“These inspiring students deserve every opportunity to reach their fullest potential for health and life and we are proud to provide them with one of the key resources they’ll need to reach for the stars,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “On behalf of our board of directors and the entire team at MHM, I congratulate these students on this special recognition, and we wish them success on their education journey.”
Each of the 20 students is receiving a $2,500 scholarship. Scholarship applicants submitted a letter of recommendation, an essay or poem, a copy of their high school transcripts, and an acceptance letter to an accredited community college, university, trade school or culinary school to be considered.
Ernest J. Martinez, Chairman of the César E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation added “With the digital divide that is impacting families in underserved communities, bridging the gap to technology access is critical to learning, and having this kind of support from the Methodist Healthcare Ministries Familia is a community win for students.”
The celebration follows the Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice, which honors the farm workers who help to feed our nation. The March for Justice has taken place in San Antonio since 1997 and this year marks the 28th anniversary. The march is co-sponsored by the City of San Antonio and organized by the Cesar E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation.
###
About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
About Cesar E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation
Over the years, through the generosity of individual donors, public sector, and the corporate community, CECLEF has focused on the mission of serving others. To Preserve the Life & Legacy of César E. Chávez, whether it is providing college scholarships to our youth, or giving back to families through our annual Thanksgiving & Christmas in the Barrio events in the inner-city West Side of San Antonio, we encourage the youth of our community to Engage in Civic Participation, Advocate for Social & Economic Justice, and Graduate from College. As we continue with the CECLEF traditions, we keep the spirit of César E. Chávez alive and well in San Antonio. ¡SI SE PUEDE!