Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Vallejo.
Hi Monica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Monica Vallejo and my siblings and I started the The Cristina Project after our mother Maria Cristina “Cris” Garza passed of ovarian cancer in 2012. She was very active in the community and we wanted to continue her legacy of helping others. She was always working on different “projects”, from a career day to help give at-risk students a look at what opportunities were available to them for a bright future to her opening her home to help others with accommodations and support as they were seeking cancer treatment at MD Anderson. And of course, all her efforts to teach the youth the importance of volunteering. We decided to form TCP (The Cristina Project) in her honor, and we were very proud to receive our non-profit status in 2014. We have worked very hard to fill the very large shoes she left behind by serving our communities and assisting those in need through our volunteer efforts. Our mother has continued to be a driving force in our lives to do our best, not only for us but for those around us.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Unfortunately no, not only starting but maintaining a nonprofit is a lot of work and presents many challenges. Especially when all the members work full time, and we must find extra time and dedicate it to our mission. Commitment and follow-through are a must. Most nonprofits don’t make it after the first couple of years. We are about to celebrate our 10th anniversary and we are very proud of that!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
The Cristina Project is a continuation of our mothers’ legacy. To teach the youth the importance of volunteering and giving back to their communities. We do work on many projects throughout the year just like our mother did, and that’s why we chose that name for our nonprofit. From our community art garden and our Give a Bag Get a Bag event both collaborations with HTX ART to our biggest fundraiser of the year our Art for the Cure, our events are centered around helping others. We also do TCP CARES care packages and deliver them to patients going through chemo treatments. We have students or donors make personalized get-well cards to put in the care packages so the patients know someone is thinking of them, wishing them well and they are not alone.
What makes you happy?
We are happy when we see our efforts help someone. From the non-profits we collaborate with to the families we assist during the year. Being involved in community service and helping others is our main goal. That is what our mother wanted, and she instilled it in us from a very young age, and we have continued that legacy with our own children.
Pricing:
- You can donate a TCP CARES care package to a person going through chemo treatments for $50.00 it will include get well cards and self care items in a TCP tote bag to help them through their journey
- We take donations for student scholarships, supporting our community art garden and families in underserved communities
Contact Info:
- Website: thecristinaproject.com
- Instagram: thecristinaproject
- Facebook: thecristinaproject
