Seedling thanks Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President for service to children

Seedling, a nonprofit organization providing school-based mentoring for children who have an incarcerated parent, recently extended its appreciation to Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Diana Maldonado for eight years of service.

Maldonado served as Board President for Seedling, co-chaired multiple Fab Five Galas and brought increased visibility to the need to support children who have a parent in prison.

Maldonado became the President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in July 2020. Prior to that, Maldonado was a financial advisor in the investment industry. She served the State of Texas as State Representative in District 52 during the 81st Legislative Session. She previously worked at the Texas Comptroller’s Office for over 20 years. Her past roles have included service as Board President of Round Rock Independent School District, and she has served on various nonprofit boards and civic commissions.

“Diana brought a tremendous amount of community recognition to Seedling and to the need to support the over 8000 children in Central Texas who have an incarcerated parent,” said Dan Leal, Seedling Executive Director.

Seedling, which was founded in 1997 by Austin attorney John Blazier, has provided mentoring for children with a parent in prison since 2005. During the 2019-20 school year, Seedling served an all-time high of 683 children and pivoted to provide virtual mentoring during the pandemic. Seedling makes matches of trained volunteer mentors with children in Austin ISD, Pflugerville ISD, KIPP Public Schools, Del Valle ISD and Hays Consolidated ISD.

“Education is a fundamental game changer in our democracy to strengthen individuals, families and communities,” Maldonado said. “Seedling’s unique mentoring outreach provides purpose and prosperity in changing the lives of students one step, one smile at a time. I’m happy to remain an advocate for the great work Seedling does in cultivating partnerships to serve a vulnerable yet vibrant student population.”

Seedling has provided school-based mentoring for over 2300 Central Texas children impacted by parental incarceration since 2005. Seedling is seeking mentors to serve children during the 2021-22 school year as schools allows mentors to return campuses. Seedling is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible. To learn more about Seedling or to become a mentor visit Seedling’s website at seedlingmentors.org or call 512-323-6371.

Information provided by Seedling