UnidosNow Celebrates 15 Years of Impact at Nuestros Quince, Honoring the Legacy of Hector Tejeda
Bradenton, FL — Manatee Community Foundation is proud to be the presenting sponsor of UnidosNow’s Nuestros Quince: 15 Years of Impact, a community celebration marking fifteen years of empowering Latino students and families across the region. The event will take place at 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa (600 US-41, Palmetto, FL 34221).
Driven by the legacy of Hector Tejeda—UnidosNow’s dedicated leader and the mind behind the organization’s Future Leaders Academy—the foundation promptly became the presenting sponsor of this celebration, supported by Hector’s wife, Deanne Bauer. Hector arrived in UnidosNow four years after its founding and became a determining factor in the nonprofit’s growth and impact. Nuestros Quince is also a celebration of his passionate work and unbreakable commitment to our community’s students and families, whose lives he changed thanks to his guidance and the belief he placed in them.
“MCF is grateful for our partnership with UnidosNow, whose work uplifts children and families and strengthens the fabric of our community. Their commitment to education, leadership, and opportunity reflects the very values we hold dear,” said Veronica Thames, Executive Director of the Manatee Community Foundation, presenting sponsor of the event. “And, as we celebrate this important work, we also recognize the enduring legacy of Hector Tejada, whose vision and impact continue to inspire and empower generations, creating a brighter future for all.”
At Nuestros Quince, guests will have the chance to meet the nonprofit’s students and families in person, while also enjoying a vibrant program and a special ceremony to honor community champions.
“Hector’s memory will forever be at the heart of our organization and all we do,” said Evelyn Almodóvar, Executive Director of UnidosNow. “He played a key role in UnidosNow’s empowerment of thousands of students and their families, and his motto to ‘Dream Big’ continues to be a driving force for us and an inspiration for every new cohort of our Future Leaders Academy.”
The evening will also include a fundraising auction to strengthen Hector’s legacy and the organization’s mission of education, integration, and civic engagement. Performances by Juan Bongoe and local bands Sonora Dinamita Florida and West Coast Vallenatos will highlight the region’s rich cultural diversity, bringing vibrant entertainment to close the celebration on a high note.
Guests are invited to join in an unforgettable evening of music, culture, gratitude, and community.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at http://www.unidosnow.org/nuestros-quince-2025.
About UnidosNow
Founded in 2010, with a mission to elevate the quality of life of the growing Hispanic/Latinx community through education, integration, and civic engagement, UnidosNow has established itself as a leader in the field of postsecondary education attainment. UnidosNow empowers leaders of tomorrow through its intergenerational programs, including the 2-Gen Empowered Parents program, which equips parents with the skills to navigate the education system and advocate for their children, and the Future Leaders Academy programs, which provide college preparation for students interested in attending college or pursuing a high-quality certification or technical career. Visit UnidosNow.org for more information.
About Manatee Community Foundation
Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) is a charitable organization founded in 1998. MCF partners with our citizens to strengthen and enhance our community through philanthropy, education, and service – now and forever. MCF is the bridge between generous donors, business leaders, our government, and nonprofit partners, who work together so that everyone can thrive because we believe that together, we can do greater things. MCF has invested over $67 million in the areas of health and human services, education, arts and culture, the environment, and animal welfare and is committed to its diversity, equity, inclusion and access work. As the only community foundation in Manatee County, MCF is your partner in philanthropy, a trusted steward of charitable legacies and the guide for current giving through donor-advised funds and beyond. For more information about Manatee Community Foundation and how you can support its mission, visit http://www.manateecf.org.