Honoring Esther Medina, Executve Director of the Mexican American Community Services Agency, Inc

HONORING ESTHER MEDINA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY, INC-HON. ZOE LOFGREN (Extensions of Remarks - February 24, 2004)

HON. ZOE LOFGREN
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2004

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the great contributions of Esther Medina, the executive director of the Mexican American Community Services Agency, Inc. (MACSA). Founded in 1964, MACSA has established itself as the leader in the Latino community in the area of advocacy, social justice, youth/family/senior services, implementation and operation of two charter schools and the development of affordable housing.

Esther Medina was hired as the executive director of MACSA in 1982. At that time, MACSA was on the verge of losing funding from the United Way and was put on a 3-month corrective action plan to prove fiscal solvency, stable management and leadership. At that time, the finances were in such disarray, MACSA had no money in its budget to operate. Esther was able to convince the United Way to allocate $27,000 to keep its doors open for 3 more months.

Through Esther's efforts, she transformed MACSA from an organization with 1 full-time and 1 part-time employee, on the verge of having it's doors closed forever, to an organization with 120 employees and an annual operating budget of over seven million dollars as well as developing and owning it's current headquarter building, 2 acclaimed affordable housing projects for seniors, a full service 25,000 square foot multi-service youth center, a youth/teen intervention center, and 2 public charter high schools.

Esther Medina exemplifies the characteristics of a competent leader by being true to her values as a human being. The astounding success of MACSA is clearly attributable to her outstanding leadership.

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