The Mendivil Family Foundation for Change was inspired by the story of Manuel and Filomena “Mena” Mendivil, whose lives were shaped by their faith in God, determination, sacrifice, and belief in the power of education.

Growing up in a small Mexican village during the 1920s and 1930s, both faced significant barriers to schooling—Manuel left school after the third grade and Mena after the fourth in order to work and help support their families. Despite these limitations, they carried a lifelong dream for greater opportunity.

When the chance arose to migrate to the United States, they took a leap of faith, hoping their children would have access to the education and opportunities they themselves had been denied. Through years of hard work in the fields and seasonal labor, they taught their children the value of perseverance and the importance of education as the pathway to a better life.

Inspired by their legacy, the Mendivil Family Foundation for Change exists to empower underprivileged youth by providing mentorship, resources, and support that help them build confidence, pursue meaningful careers, and become positive forces for change in their families and communities.