About Us

ECAF is a nonprofit corporation organized pursuant to the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”), exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the “Code”), and does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit. ECAF was organized to operate within its nonprofit purposes, including but not limited to the construction, operation, preservation, beautification, and maintenance of a multipurpose community center (the “Community Center”), located at the Robb Elementary School site, will confer a community-wide benefit through public use and recreation programs and activities.

 

The Robb Elementary School has an important historical significance to the city of Uvalde, Texas, and the surrounding community. On May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School was the epicenter of a mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of many students and teachers and which left the community devastated, in mourning, and at a loss. This tragedy had a profound effect on the residents of Uvalde and especially its children and youth. Uvalde is a rural city in Texas of approximately 15,000 residents. Approximately 60% of Uvalde County’s children and youth live in poverty.

 

After the mass school shooting at Robb On May 24, 2022, a core group of community members began the work of seeking, not only accountability for the tragic event but also finding a means by which the community of Uvalde can better serve the social and economic needs of its citizens, who are 85% Hispanic. ECAF was founded on the premise that it can best serve those needs by leveraging community resources and providing foundational support for children and families in the Uvalde community. Based on a community-wide effort and the hard work of many volunteers and Concerned citizens, ECAF has implemented a plan to create the Community Center which could help rebuild the community and contribute to its healing after the Robb Elementary School tragedy. The Community Center will be situated at the site of the former Robb Elementary School.

 

This location will be accessible to the community of Uvalde and will be designed to meet the needs of Uvalde’s residents, including those affected by the tragic events of May 24, 2022. In accordance with the ECAF’s values and beliefs, the primary purpose is to improve the quality of life of the residents of Uvalde and Uvalde County, Texas through operation and maintenance of the Community Center, which would include active recreational opportunities and educational classes, as well as other community-related events and initiatives, ultimately serving the social and economic needs of the citizens of Uvalde, while promoting the overall health and wellness of the community at large.

 

The Families that lost children during the tragedy will have a say in the type of monument that should be constructed in memory of the loved ones who lost their lives. A memorial may be separate or incorporated with the proposed Community Center. ECAF’s mission is to empower the young people of Uvalde, especially those most lacking in opportunities and resources, to attain their fullest potential as productive, healthy, and compassionate members of the community. The Community Center will serve as a hub for recreational, educational, and community-related activities, providing programs aimed at improving the quality of life for residents of Uvalde. Activities at the Community Center will include youth and adult education classes, recreational opportunities, community events, and a dedicated focus on addressing social and economic needs.

 

The activities at the Community Center will be conducted by a collaborative team of ECAF staff, local and professional educators, volunteers, and community members. This collaborative effort includes partnerships with the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, local charities, and community-based organizations, and individuals that have a vested interest in creating a brighter and safer future for all citizens of Uvalde, Texas while ensuring a diverse range of expertise and resources to support the ECAF mission, Activities at the Community Center will be ongoing, with specific programs offered throughout the week, including after-school programs, weekend events, and seasonal workshops. ECAF will also host annual fundraising events to support the Community Center’s operations and in an effort to expand ECAF activities and other offerings.

 

The activities of ECAF directly align with its exempt purposes by providing vital resources and support to the residents of Uvalde and Uvalde County. The Community Center will enhance public welfare through educational programs, recreational activities, and community support and engagement initiatives, particularly for underserved populations. By empowering and educating youth and families, ECAF aims to foster a healthier and more resilient community. Initially, all of ECAF’s organizational time will be dedicated to the planning, implementation, and ongoing management of activities at the Community Center. This includes time spent on program development, community outreach, and collaborative efforts with partner organizations to maximize ECAF’s impact.

 

Funding for ECAF’s activities will be obtained through a variety of sources, including individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants from foundations and government entities. ECAF will actively pursue fundraising opportunities through mail, email, and personal solicitations, as well as through the ECAF website. Fundraising will be conducted primarily in Texas. Annual fundraising projects will also be developed to ensure sustainable operating expenses for the Community Center. ECAF’s activities will further its charitable purposes because ECAF’s activities provide access to the Community Center which will offer comprehensive educational and recreational support to the children, youth, and all residents of Uvalde and surrounding community.

 

In addition, ECAF’s activities will create efficiency in the social services sector, enable providers of essential social services to reach more individuals in need, and provide for more efficient and effective collaboration among governmental bodies, charitable organizations, and the Uvalde community. All of ECAF’s activities are directed at helping individuals with social services needs, which improves the health and social welfare of the overall community, lessens the burdens of the government, and helps reduce significant costs of institutional and governmental care in the future.

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​Abelardo (Lalo) Castillo