April 03, 2025 Honoring César Chávez A Legacy of Advocacy, Community, and Strength We believe in the power of long-term mentorship to create generational change. As we honor César Chávez Day, we reflect on his legacy of advocacy and the lasting impact he continues to have on communities across the country—including within our own program. For one of our program youth, César Chávez Day holds deep personal significance. His family was directly involved in the movement, marching alongside Chávez to fight for farmworkers’ rights. His grandmother grew up immersed in the movement, traveling with her family to universities, fields, and community gatherings to unite people around the cause. She recalls the profound impact of those experiences, saying: “César Chávez was a very important person and my father was very close to him. I learned a lot from him and he made my father an organizer to help spread the word for the community. It made me proud to be a part of the movement, it made me proud to be for the people. I will always cherish the memories that I have because nobody could take those away of everything that we did together as a community.” Her words are a reminder of the lasting impact one person’s dedication to justice can have on generations to come. Chávez’s work was built on the belief that communities thrive when people uplift one another, advocate for their rights, and stand together. That same spirit drives our work at Friends of the Children – Coachella Valley, where we provide unwavering support to youth so they can build a future filled with opportunity and success. As we celebrate César Chávez Day, we honor his legacy by continuing to invest in the next generation—ensuring that youth have the mentorship, encouragement, and resources they need to create lasting change in their own lives and communities.