'Nuestro Momento, Nuestra Misión: MEDA Celebrates 51 Years of Dedicated Service to Latinos and Immigrants with Gala and Fundraiser

With the melodic sounds of trumpets blaring and deep rhythmic tones of the cajon echoing throughout the halls of the San Francisco Design Center, hundreds of community members danced the night away.

It was a perfect lively cap to an impactful and beautiful evening celebrating iVIVA MEDA! 51 - the fifty-first anniversary of the Mission Economic Development Agency's (MEDA) service to San Francisco's Mission District, and the ten year milestone of our Community Real Estate affordable housing program.?

?VIVA MEDA! is an annual celebration of MEDA's ongoing work and the many successes of the thousands of families we engage and serve annually.?

The evening, themed ‘Nuestro Momento, Nuestra Mision,’ included Emmy Award winning ABC7 News Bay Area reporter and anchor, Luz Pe?a, serving as emcee. Kicking off the festivities was a cocktail hour with delicious culinary small bites prepared by Melons Catering and music by Mission District local Mariachi Nueva Generación.

A highlight of the night included recognition of one outstanding MEDA client honoree.?

Leonardo Luna, father of two with an unwavering commitment to his family and financial capability education, was the recipient of the 2024 iVIVA! Award.???

Luna has been striving to improve his family’s well-being with the support of MEDA since 2010. His journey with MEDA began when he discovered their free tax preparation program while taking English classes at City College. This introduction opened the door to various MEDA programs, including financial literacy workshops, small business development courses, and first-time homebuyer workshops.

Despite enduring unfair, unstable, and unhealthy housing conditions, Leonardo remained determined to improve his living situation. After years of persistence, his efforts were finally rewarded in 2021 when he secured an affordable housing unit through the DAHLIA lottery at MEDA’s Casa Adelante - 2060 Folsom, supported by MEDA’s Housing Opportunities Team.

This experience has deepened Leonardo’s commitment to fighting for tenants’ rights and affordable housing in San Francisco. As an active member of the Extremely Low Income (ELI) Coalition, he has spoken before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Land Use Committee, sharing the struggles of low-income families and pushing for real change.

Today, Leonardo is leading a campaign to create a Housing Opportunity Fund in 2026 to support ELI individuals. His story is a testament to resilience, community strength, and? the transformative power of MEDA’s services.

Echoing the powerful and poignant remarks by MEDA's visionary CEO, Luis Granados, the final element of the program was a powerful keynote address by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Many community leaders and elected officials were in attendance to congratulate MEDA leadership on another year of service including: Recorder/Assessor Joaquin Torres, District 7 Supervisor and MEDA Alumna Myrna Melgar, District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Board Vice-Chair for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Stephanie Cajina, and San Francisco Mayor London Breed.?

The evening also featured an inspiring video by Collabyrnith Creative that captured 51 years of MEDA’s audacity, spirit, and community power. Following this inspiring video, MEDA’s very own CRE Assistant Project Manager Victoria Vera inspired guests to commemorate CRE’s ten-year milestone with a live fundraising appeal.

The night drew to a close with the sounds of Susana y su Orquesta Adelante as we reveled in community and raised our glasses to MEDA’s 51 year legacy.

So what's on the horizon for this non-profit that's now in its second half century of service??

"We are not stopping. We will continue to move forward, and buy more real estate and develop more affordable housing. As such, we must continue to envision the kind of Mission District we want," said MEDA Chief Executive Officer Luis Granados. "We envision a Mission where low-income Latinos live in quality, affordable housing without the threat of eviction, parents have quality jobs, build wealth and are able to spend time with their children, people of all ages are civically engaged, and those of age vote, local-serving businesses flourish and strengthen our commercial corridors, and community partners thrive and are fully engaged in fulfilling their mission."?

Thank you to all who took part in our special celebration.?

MEDA cannot serve the community without the remarkable support of our dedicated community partners, agencies and donors.

We look forward to celebrating with you next year as we continue forging fearlessly into our second half-century!

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Inspired to give? Make a gift today here .

Feedback or Inquiries? Please contact MEDA Fund Development: [email protected]

Thank you to all of our ?Viva MEDA! 51 sponsors

HERENCIA: U.S. Bank

UNIDAD: Capital One, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo

CAMINO: Bank of San FranciscoCahill Contractors, Citi Bank, First Citizens Bank, Policy Link

OPORTUNIDAD: Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance, Bank of America, Goldfarb & Lipman LLP, Mission Housing Development Corporation, Mithun

COMUNIDAD: BMO, BPM, Carpenters Local Union No. 22, CIBC, Crankstart, Guzman Construction Group, Herman Culver Locus, Low Income Investment Fund, PG&E, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation