Dear Friends, 

We’re thrilled with the interest in ELEVATE Concord – Monument Impact’s family economic equity pilot and Concord’s first guaranteed income program – launching in September. With your support, we can help local families with the lowest incomes have stable housing, cover essential needs, spend more time with their family, seek better jobs, and build a strong foundation for their children to thrive. To meet the demand, please donate today to support Concord’s families.

ELEVATE Concord will provide 120 families with $500 a month of cash assistance for one year. Families have not yet recovered from the financial losses created by the pandemic and made worse by rising housing costs. We will prioritize those who’ve been hit the hardest – single parents with young children, immigrants, refugees and communities of color with low incomes – so they can get back on their feet and have financial stability. 

Your donation can help us support more families (every $8,500 will support an additional family for one year), expand outreach to more families that reflect the diversity of Concord as we expand the pilot across the city, and provide families with a $2,500 upfront gift to stabilize housing and cover emergencies so they have the best possible chance to save in the pilot. 

This pilot is made possible through our partnership with the City of Concord and is part of a movement in Contra Costa County to inspire other cities to fund more pilots that center racial and economic equity and inclusion. All donations help, and, if you are able, please consider making a recurring donation. Together, we can make where we live a place where families can pursue their dreams and contribute to a vibrant community.

In community,

Judith Ortiz

Executive Director

Beatriz Maria Lainez Zepeda

Beatriz is a Business Development Specialist for Pacific Service Credit Union. El Salvadorian by descent and born in Costa Rica as a war refugee, her parents decided to return home to El Salvador in the early 80s, where she grew up through a civil war that lasted over 15 years.

After high school, she emigrated to the U.S. on her own in the early 2000s, seeking to provide a better life and future for her parents and siblings. Beatriz is deeply committed to upholding the values of equality, inclusion, and justice. She is a firm believer that knowledge is power and that we all deserve the same opportunities no matter where we come from or the color of our skin.

Beatriz is the middle daughter of three siblings. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and serving the community as much as possible.

Victor Benedict Tiglao



Victor is a Digital Media Strategist, Concord resident and a recent graduate of UC Berkeley, where he studied Political Science. With nearly seven years of experience in government and politics, he has worked for notable figures including Secretary Hillary Clinton, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, and State Senator Scott Wiener.

In 2018, Victor was one of the students who led the March For Our Lives in Walnut Creek, which gathered more than 10,000 participants to march against gun violence. He has also helped write legislation, including California’s landmark net neutrality law. At UC Berkeley, Victor served as an editor for the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal, and interned for the Political Violence Lab in Washington DC, where he aided the United Nations in locating remote refugee camps in Africa. Additionally, Victor is the recipient of the 2019 Cal Pride Alumni Scholarship award, PG&E Kronenberg Memorial Scholar, and the 2018 Congressman Eric Swalwell Young Democrat of the Year award. 

As someone who grew up along the Monument, Victor wants to give back to Monument Impact, which he says has touched every aspect of his neighborhood.

Recently in our Asset Building Program, we were thrilled to celebrate 13 students who have successfully completed our Caminos course, a 20-week course that is a pillar of our Technology Program offerings for Spanish speakers. The celebration was a virtual event with 64 people in attendance, including graduates, family members, and staff. Meet our graduates!

Our Caminos program is an intensive course that includes advanced technology, English (ESL), and professional development – all the skills needed to be job-ready. We can't wait to see where this new accomplishment leads them. 

A special thanks to our funders, Lesher Foundation, Y&H Soda Foundation, Hispanic Federation, Wells Fargo, and Strive for Change Foundation, for supporting our work and for their commitment to the community.

Meet Ingrid Castro, owner of "Los Secretos del Inca" a Peruvian Food Truck business based in Concord.

The idea of starting her own business grew from watching the movie, The Chef, which inspired her to pursue her dream. She prepared for this exciting new chapter by taking courses on topics such as how to start a food business, business planning, and computer skills. By December 2022, "Los Secretos del Inca" officially opened for business.

Ingrid shares that Monument Impact played a vital role in establishing her business, serving as a crucial community connection, particularly for Latinos. "The success of a business depends on the entrepreneur and how they continue to educate themselves for a business to evolve,” says Ingrid. “Don't be afraid to fail. It is not easy, but if you put passion into your project, you fall in love with it even more, giving you the motivation and commitment to grow."

Today, we are happy to report that her business continues to grow and now serves across the Bay Area. Make sure to grab a bite at a local event or function near you!

Follow Los Secretos del Inca on Facebook and Instagram @lossecretosdelinca 

Contact her for your next event at 925-497-2692 or losecretosdelinca@gmail.com