New website!
Wednesday, August 9th, 2023
Visit our new website at the link below!!
https://www.gck12.org
Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 Monday, March 7th, 2022 For women’s history month, Guadalupe Center will spotlight and celebrate the strong women within our organization. This week we will share a few of the talented women who serve in a leadership role at the center. Alyx Bartrom, Vice-President of Fund Development and Marketing Alyx Bartrom has been with Guadalupe Centers since 2017. She brings with her over a decade of experience in communications. In her current role as Vice-President, she oversees fundraising and marketing strategies for the organization, with an emphasis on grant management, donor relations, brand awareness and community engagement. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside with her husband and three little boys which make her the strong woman that she is. As a former competitive gymnast for over 13 years, she admired her coach’s focus, drive, and strength, which remain instilled in her. A piece of advice she would give to her younger self is to always remain open minded and eager to learn. “Being a woman in leadership requires gumption and reminding that little girl inside that ‘you deserve to be at the table.’” For those reasons women should strive to be in leadership roles and positions for change, growth, and progress. What advice do you want to give to young women? Find the value in every opportunity or experience but never forget the value that you bring to each of those opportunities or experiences. Shirley Folch, Director of Human Resources Shirley Folch has served as Director of Human Resources for GCI since 2019. The quote that she lives by is, “to be a leader is not to be the best. It is about making everyone better.” She holds a BBA in Management from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, MBA in Human Resources Magna Cum Laude, Billing and Coding Certification from National American University, Senior Certified Professional by the Society of Human Resources Management, and currently enrolled in the Doctoral Degree in Business Administration – Human Resources at Walden University. Shirley shared that her role models were her mom and her aunt Iris for teaching her to keep having faith and never give up. She credits her faith and values for what makes her the strong woman that she is. A few pieces of advice she would give her younger self is “to plan your finances for rainy days. Do not depend on anyone to take care of you. You are the architect of your own life.” Why should women strive for leadership roles and positions? “When women become leaders, they provide a different set of skills, different perspectives, and structural and cultural differences that drive effective solutions. A new sense of awareness will also follow to unplug the fine details that may go unmissed from the naked eyes.” Gladys Esmeralda Jaggers, Director of Workforce & Adult Education coming soon… Monday, February 14th, 2022 In 2021, Guadalupe Centers lost two phenomenal board members Rafaela “Lali” Garcia and Robert “Bob” Soltero, but their legacy of servant leadership will go recognized as the prime example. Before the year ended, we interviewed Lisa Aquino, daughter of Lali and JoAnn Soltero, daughter of Bob to hear their perspective about their parents’ involvement in Guadalupe Centers. Both daughters mentioned that their parents’ involvement in Guadalupe Center was personal. Bob grew up on the Westside, he was a social person who loved community service, his commitment was to support and grow the leadership at GCI. “When my dad retired and got older, he lived for Guadalupe Center, he was raised here and just wanted to better his community,” said JoAnn. Lali moved from the Armourdale neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas to the Westside after the 1951 flood. The center helped her then and continued to help until she got to the point where she could give back. “The center had done so much for her and her family when she was young,” said Lisa. Both daughters could recall memories with their parents volunteering at GCI during the old fiestas, day of the dead, Cinco de Mayo where people united at these social and cultural gatherings with activities, authentic Mexican food, and entertainment. Lisa and JoAnn mentioned the fact that both parents could cook. Whether it was Lali who was gone for hours serving her community and still coming home to prepare dinner with whatever she had or if it was Bob who could cook so well that he preferred his own, he was picky, no one else’s food was as good as his. Even JoAnn had to work hard for her dad’s approval of her food. After several years, finally Bob said the magic words of approval “now that’s good,” all JoAnn could think was wow! After all these years. Just like their parents they also picked up some similarities. JoAnn saw herself just as social and positive like her dad. While Lisa has found through her children and grandchildren that she’s picked up certain mannerisms, sayings, and even moments of scolding her granddaughter who would then say, “you sound just like grandma.” Their parents also instilled in them important values. Bob believed in working hard, honesty, and being a good person who tries to help. Lali, who learned from her father then taught her children, “If there’s anything you can do to help, you have to do it.” Lisa and JoAnn, inspired by their parents, have also taken steps to serve and be engaged. This legacy of servant leadership can be honored by bringing in 2022 with the same energy to help our community just as Lali and Bob. Monday, February 14th, 2022 A Guadalupe Centers Love Story El Amor Devino (The Divine Love) describes the Gilbert and Dolores Rodriguez love story, which has lasted over 70 years, when he was 15 and she was 13. Still strong to this day. Gilbert had just moved from Corpus Christi, Texas, in the late 1940s. He made a few friends who had invited him to one of the Guadalupe Centers’ fiestas; a party he described as standing-only with around 1,000 people. While he was playing with his friends, he said some girls were running around, when one of them bumped into him, a Guerrita. “I almost could have kissed her. She smiled at me, then I looked at my friends and said ‘I’m going to marry her,’” said Gilbert. He remembered seeing her a few weeks before when she and her sister were defending themselves against some boys; using her pigtails to fight them off and walking backwards to make sure they wouldn’t mess with them anymore. “What is her name?” Gilbert asked at the fiesta, they all responded that they called her Guerra, but her name was Dolores. He finally built up the courage to ask her to the movies, she said no. Her father thought she was too young to date, especially since her15 year-old sister had just started dating. Instead of backing off, Gilbert persisted and strategized, first persuading Dolores’s sister’s boyfriend to let them double date so that she could tag along with her sister. It worked, but Dolores said they would just be friends. So, he walked her to school, from work, carried her books, and serenaded her with his guitar. Something clearly worked. “When you’re young, you don’t think,” Dolores said with a smile as she looked at Gilbert, who then mumbled, “And we were just supposed to be friends.” She couldn’t help but mention how much she loved how great he was at playing the guitar, just as quickly, she shook her head when she remembered he had over 40 guitars. Then the great flood of 1951, caused by heavy rains, led to a great rise of water in the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, killing 17 people and displacing more than 518,000 people. A few young men, including Gilbert, were asked to work for Union Pacific after the flood. When they all got paid, some would get cars, new clothes, spend on unnecessary things, but Gilbert spent his 250 dollars so he could purchase an engagement ring for Dolores, while they were in high school. After the flood he joined the service to fight in the Korean War like many young men, specifically because he didn’t want to go to school. However, their love was still strong. Every week, regardless of where he was stationed, Alaska, Hawaii, California or in another country, Dolores sent him a letter. He survived off of ten dollars per month out of his 120 dollar-a-month check; saving up to $4,000 dollars so he could get back and marry his girl. And just like double dating with Dolores’s sister and her man when they were teens, they double wedded when they got older when Gilbert was out of the service. They married at Our Lady of Guadalupe and held their reception at Guadalupe Centers; one of the biggest wedding receptions the center had seen, he said. “We had seven kids, we had our hands full,” said Dolores. In addition to their seven children, their family includes several grandchildren ranging in age from 4 to 48. When asked about what advice he would give about love he said, “Take it serious, because it ain’t no other kind of way.” Dolores’s advice about love- “A day at a time.” His time with this enduring love was tested three years ago when Dolores laid in a hospital bed in a coma for a few days. Unsure as to why, Gilbert wouldn’t accept just any answer, he wasn’t ready to let go. He voiced his opinions, his disagreements and even asked for more doctors, because he wasn’t satisfied with the answer of the specialist that she had meningitis. So, one day a senior doctor walked in, looked around at the other doctors, and said, “She doesn’t have meningitis.” And just like that Dolores woke up and said, “Good morning doctor.” Emotions from the family broke out, and just like his love in the beginning,Gilbert was patient and persisted. “There isn’t a single day I don’t tell her how beautiful she is,” said Gilbert. A divine type of love. Monday, January 24th, 2022 The Tony Aguirre Latino Men’s Basketball Tournament is back for its 69th year! The annual event will be held on February 19 and 20. The tournament is named after Tony “FISH” Aguirre, a Westsider who’s passion was using sports as a tool to teach fundamental life lessons and valuable skills. From the age of 17 he coached at Guadalupe Center when asked by a Nun, it didn’t matter what sport it was, Tony Aguirre was always the coach. “I was on the softball team and basketball team with Tony Aguirre, he taught me all kinds of sports,” said Bebe Musquiz in the Guadalupe Centers 100 year of history documentary. The Latino Men’s tournament was created at a time when nonwhite players were excluded from the sport. Since then, to honor the legacy of the tournament it is only open to players with Latino heritage. Luis Alanis, Director of Youth Development and Recreation mentioned that this tournament not only honors the extravagant legacy left behind by Tony Aguirre but also provides a place for fellowship and competition within Latino ball players. Funds from the event also go back to the youth and recreation department. “Come and participate in our tournament for the sake of the investment in our youth, because that’s the future.” Luis. Mike Aguirre, 35, Nephew of Tony Aguirre has participated in the tournament since he was 16. He takes pride in the tournament because of his uncle’s unmatched legacy, and because he is able to follow the footsteps of many family members who also participated in the event. At the age of 18 Mike became first Kansas City player to win Most Valuable Player at the tournament, catching the eyes of Penn Valley who then gave him a scholarship. “I’ve been balling my whole life,” said Aguirre, for a while now he has been coaching 5-year-old son and fourth grade daughter’s basketball team, however this will be Mike’s first year playing in the 35 and older division and is extremely confident that they will take the win. Aguirre mentioned that the vibe of the tournament was very competitive, but also social with friends, foes, and families. When asked why he continues to participate whether in the game or on the committee he said “I’m never gonna let this pass up. I want this competition to continue and be as great as it can be.” P.S. Tony Aguirre Nickname FISH stood for Friendship, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Honor. Friday, January 14th, 2022 View News Story HERE Friday, January 14th, 2022 Portion of Proceeds to Benefit Guadalupe Centers Catering Program – Watch News Story HERE Monday, January 10th, 2022 Guadalupe Centers is the proud Community Partner for this year’s 2022 Kansas City Restaurant Week. As a beneficiary Guadalupe Centers is supported by the participating restaurants who pledge ten percent of their sales along with two founding beneficiaries. “A cornerstone of Kansas City for more than a century, Guadalupe Centers delivers an essential service to our local community and its citizens,” said Bill Teel, GKCRA Executive Director. “Thanks to the generosity of our diners and participating restaurants, we’re thrilled to cast a larger spotlight on their inspiring work through Kansas City Restaurant Week. Participants can dine out knowing they’re also doing good, helping us give back to this extremely worthy cause.” #KCRW2022 celebrates over 175 Kansas City restaurants throughout the Metro. The 10-day dining event provides a great opportunity to visit local, small, and authentic businesses throughout Kansas City. “Restaurants are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods, and each January we come together to celebrate and support the dining establishments that truly make our community unique,” said Kathy Nelson, President & CEO of Visit KC. “For the next 10 days, we encourage our fellow diners to take full advantage of these tremendous values as well as the opportunity to give back to our local hospitality industry, a critical component of our local economy.” If you visit KCRestaurantWeek.com you can search available restaurants at your time and at the location that you choose. The KCRW free mobile app is available on Android and Apple devices which puts convenience at your fingertips with a number of tremendous features, including the ability to make reservations, a wish list function, restaurant map, exclusive photo filters and more. You can also search participating restaurants that are family friendly, minority owned, and women owned. We encourage all to visit a few participating restaurants on your free time, investing in these local businesses also invest in the community and organizations including Guadalupe Centers. #KCRW2022 Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 In 2021, Guadalupe Centers lost two phenomenal board members Rafaela “Lali” Garcia and Robert “Bob” Soltero, but their legacy of servant leadership will go recognized as the prime example. Before the year ended, we interviewed Lisa Aquino, daughter of Lali and JoAnn Soltero, daughter of Bob to hear their perspective about their parents’ involvement in Guadalupe Centers. Both daughters mentioned that their parents’ involvement in Guadalupe Center was personal. Bob grew up on the Westside, he was a social person who loved community service, his commitment was to support and grow the leadership at GCI. “When my dad retired and got older, he lived for Guadalupe Center, he was raised here and just wanted to better his community,” said JoAnn. Lali moved from the Armourdale neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas to the Westside after the 1951 flood. The center helped her then and continued to help until she got to the point where she could give back. “The center had done so much for her and her family when she was young,” said Lisa. Both daughters could recall memories with their parents volunteering at GCI during the old fiestas, day of the dead, Cinco de Mayo where people united at these social and cultural gatherings with activities, authentic Mexican food, and entertainment. Lisa and JoAnn mentioned the fact that both parents could cook. Whether it was Lali who was gone for hours serving her community and still coming home to prepare dinner with whatever she had or if it was Bob who could cook so well that he preferred his own, he was picky, no one else’s food was as good as his. Even JoAnn had to work hard for her dad’s approval of her food. After several years, finally Bob said the magic words of approval “now that’s good,” all JoAnn could think was wow! After all these years. Just like their parents they also picked up some similarities. JoAnn saw herself just as social and positive like her dad. While Lisa has found through her children and grandchildren that she’s picked up certain mannerisms, sayings, and even moments of scolding her granddaughter who would then say, “you sound just like grandma.” Their parents also instilled in them important values. Bob believed in working hard, honesty, and being a good person who tries to help. Lali, who learned from her father then taught her children, “If there’s anything you can do to help, you have to do it.” Lisa and JoAnn, inspired by their parents, have also taken steps to serve and be engaged. This legacy of servant leadership can be honored by bringing in 2022 with the same energy to help our community just as Lali and Bob.A word from our Superintendent. Our deepest condolence to the families affected in this tragedy.
Women in Leadership at Guadalupe Centers
Lali and Bob a Legacy of Servant Leadership at Guadalupe Center
A Guadalupe Centers LOVE Story
69th Annual Tony Aguirre Latino Men’s Basketball Tournament Returns
Mercedes Mora, GCI Clinical Supervisor Talks about How Hard it is to be a Mental Health Provider Right Now
Restaurant Week 2022 – Proceeds to Benefit Our Catering Program
KC Restaurant Week 2022, Jan. 14-23, 2022
Lali and Bob a Legacy of Servant Leadership at Guadalupe Center