Hope Community Center receives $45,500 grant from two organizations

“As an LGBTQ+ immigrant myself, I struggled to find an organizing space that honored my full authentic self and everything I can bring to the table. We are so grateful for Contigo Fund’s commitment to grassroots organizing and true social change.”

Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, Executive Director of Hope CommUnity Center

“This is all about loving people and inclusion where everybody is welcomed in the Beloved Community." 

Those words were spoken by Sister Ann Kendrick of the Hope Community Center after it was announced they were the recipients of two grants - $45,000 from the Contigo Fund, a fiscally sponsored project of Proteus Fund from the 2022 Movement and Power Building Grant, and $500 from the Healing Justice Funds to support their project ELEVAR.

ELEVAR (Educate, Leaders, Energy, Courage, Love, Resilience) is developing a leadership pipeline of grassroots activists from within marginalized LGBTQ+/immigrant/POC communities, especially those who live at the intersection of these identities. ELEVAR seeks to animate people who are coming to understand that the same forces of systemic oppression that marginalize their community also marginalize other communities. ELEVAR is modeled after the idea that grassroots leadership development is more than simply exposing people to political processes and skill-building. This model recognizes the interaction between human dignity and leadership, resulting in leaders who are committed long-term, not to a single campaign or action.

“As an LGBTQ+ immigrant myself, I struggled to find an organizing space that honored my full authentic self and everything I can bring to the table, stated Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, Executive Director of Hope CommUnity Center. “We are so grateful for Contigo Fund’s commitment to grassroots organizing and true social change. This grant will give us the resources to invest in our leaders and build a powerful intersectional movement in Central Florida.”

"The LGBTQ+ immigrant rights program at the Hope Community Center funded since its inception by the Contigo Fund has given me an opportunity to develop my leadership, advocacy, and community organizing skills to create an LGBTQ+ immigrant group” stated Andrea Montanez, LGBTQ+/Immigration Coordinator.” These are rare opportunities for transgender immigrant leaders like myself and I am grateful for the financial investment made by the Contigo Fund, which will have a tremendous impact as we come together to fight for our rights, raise our voices, and build power with one another for a better future."

For more information on how to support this movement, contact Andrea Montanez (she/her/ella), LGBTQ+/Immigration Coordinator, at 407.880.4673 ext. 243 or amontanez@hcc-offm.org

Hope CommUnity Center fosters diverse, empowered learning communities engaged in personal and societal transformation. Through service and advocacy, we stand together with immigrants and others who are tenacious and courageous in the face of all systems of oppression.

To learn more about other services and programs, please visit our website, www.hcc-offm.org.

Contigo Fund, a fiscally sponsored project of Proteus Fund, an initiative of Our Fund Foundation, was launched in response to the tragic act of hate that occurred on Latin Night at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, targeting LGBTQ people of color. Contigo Fund supports organizations – including emerging organizations that often lack access to philanthropy – working to heal, educate, and empower LGBTQ and Latinx individuals, immigrants, and people of color and those working to end all forms of bigotry.