Community + Conversations (Recap)
“The fact that you are here today lifts our spirits. It gives us hope. It reminds us that there is still a place for us in this country.”
These were the words of local business owner, Max Figueroa, as he shared with a group of Urban Ventures supporters during our Community + Conversations yesterday. Gathered at Las Charolas Mexican Restaurant, donors who had stepped up during the unrest this winter came together to hear an update, support local businesses who are rebuilding, and enjoy a lunch you’ll only find on Lake Street.
“Many people came to help when things were at their worst,” said Sarah Spiegle, part of Urban Ventures Advancement team. “We wanted donors to experience the neighborhood at its best, and that means meeting the people who make it what it is.”
The event provided a chance for supporters of UV to hear directly from staff and neighbors about the impact of Operation Metro Surge, which created a great deal of fear and uncertainty over the course of many weeks. The impact has rippled through students, families, and the local economy. Max shared specifically about the fallout at Plaza Mexico, the mall that contains his and many other immigrant-owned businesses. In his own words, Max described the moment things shifted:
“When the ICE operation began in this area, many of us felt relieved, thinking that truly dangerous individuals would be detained. However, we quickly realized that they were not only arresting criminals, but people were being targeted solely because of the color of their skin, their accent, or physical features. That moment changed everything. The community stopped coming. And that absence left a deep mark.
“Today, you can see closed storefronts because rent couldn’t be paid. Many of us are in debt to the banks. And even so, we keep fighting. We maintain our faith. And we have felt, with deep gratitude, the invaluable support of other communities that have stepped in to lift us up.
“The fact that you are here today lifts our spirits. It gives us hope. It reminds us that there is still a place for us in this country.”
Alongside Max, program directors from Siempre Padres and Youth Mentoring shared how Urban Ventures is coming alongside families as the community recovers. From the need for continued financial stability to the lasting mental health risks ahead, the directors balanced gratitude for what donors have made possible with an honest look at what still lies ahead. The message was consistent: there’s hard work ahead, but real hope that together the neighborhood can get back on track.
Following lunch, visitors had the opportunity to tour Plaza Mexico and learn about the more than 60 businesses housed within the space.
“We ask you to come back, to walk around the mall, to stroll along Lake Street, to shop with us,” Max said. “Your purchases represent the survival of many of our businesses and the families who depend on them.”
The hard part isn't over yet. The recovery is just beginning. And Urban Ventures will continue to walk with our neighbors as we rebuild together. Right now, through the Side-by-Side campaign, every donation is matched dollar for dollar. Make a donation today to double your impact.
