2025 Award Recipients
PAUL & IRENE ELIZONDO LEGACY AWARD
Texas State Senator José Menéndez
On Friday, October 24, at the beautiful Rosenberg Skyroom on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word, longtime Texas State Senator Jose Menedez will also be honored for his tireless work in the Texas Legislature. Last year the Center honored George & Adel Hernande and Joe & Carmen Gamez for their impact in the greater San Antonio community.
Texas State Senator Jose Menendez will be honored for his many achievements across a long and very success run in public service which includes serving as a City Councilman and Texas State Representative in addition to his time in the Texas Senate. While serving in the legislature, Menéndez has passed over 200 bills that have positively impacted our most vulnerable Texans. One of the most impactful bills he championed – David’s Law – created powerful tools for law enforcement to combat cyberbullying. In addition, Senator Menéndez has championed job growth, community and business development along with securing millions of dollars for advancements in education, healthcare, parks, and for our Alamo Colleges.
“When you talk about impactful governance, there are very few that have made bigger marks that our Senator Jose Menendez,” states Madonna Center CEO Roger Caballero. “From his time as a young City Councilmen back in 1997 to his time now as one of the most powerful Texas State Senators, he has always been a champion for those that need assistance the most. From children to seniors to our veterans, Senator Menendez has always taken on the challenge and successfully served our community proudly.” The Annual Gala helps support the programs at the Madonna Center that serve over 800 children, parents and seniors, residing in the Westside of San Antonio.
For more information on the Dia de Los Muertos themed Madonna Center Gala celebrating 86 years of service to the Westside community, please visit our website at MadonnaCenterSA.org or contact Annette Rodriguez at arodriguez1@madonnacentersa.or
PINNACLE AWARD
Janie Barrera
Janie Barrera, former CEO of the Lift Fund was the first of two honorees recently announced for her massive impact in the small business community.
Barrera has lived a life full of service. At the age of 18, she became a nun with the Corpus Christi order of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word before making the decision to go to back to school and earn a Master of Business Administration. Following a brief stint in the civilian workforce with the Air Force she made a decision that would eventually lead to thousands and thousands of jobs and opportunities for individuals throughout the country.
In 1994 Janie Barrera started Accion – an organization aimed at providing loans in the greater San Antonio area for small businesses that were struggling to get the financial help they needed to establish and grow.
Janie decided to retire in 2023, but under her watch, that small organization grew to what is now known as the Lift Fund which has helped fund business in 15 different states to the amount of nearly half a billion dollars – most of which in the form of micro loans under $50,000.
“When you talk about a hero in our small business community, Janie is at the top of my list,” states former West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce CEO Gabe Farias. “She has contributed to the success of businesses not only throughout the Westside of San Antonio, but throughout the country. Under her leadership, countless numbers of new jobs were created leading to an economic development influence that may never be matched.”
The Madonna Center will be announcing its second honoree in the very near future for an event that is vital to the fundraising efforts of the westside area non-profit.
The Annual Gala helps support the programs at the Madonna Center that serve over 800 children, parents and seniors, residing in the Westside of San Antonio. The programs include assistance with early childhood education, after-school care and
