News

El Paso Strong: One Month Later

September 1, 2019

On Saturday, August 3, 2019, El Paso met an unwelcome visitor who brought both hate and violence to our community, killing 22, physically injuring 26, and traumatizing thousands more. Our beautiful, resilient community responded immediately and with overwhelming generosity, demonstrative of our community values: caring, compassionate and giving.

As CEO of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation and fellow-El Pasoan, I have had the opportunity to witness these qualities first hand. Within hours of the tragedy, we established the El Paso Victims Relief Fund in the Paso del Norte…

Texas Tobacco 21 went into effect on September 1

August 23, 2019

On September 1, 2019, Texas Tobacco 21, the law that raises the minimum legal sales age for tobacco from 18 years to 21 years, officially went into effect. The law includes violations for purchasing or attempting to purchase cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or tobacco products, as well as the use or possession of these products.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Delaying the age when young people first begin using tobacco helps reduce the risk of becoming addicted. About 95 percent of all adults smokers started before the age of 21.

A Smoke Free Paso del Norte…

El Paso Victims Relief Fund Established

August 4, 2019

We are deeply saddened by today’s tragic events and want to do all we can to work in solidarity with our community to support the victims and families of this needless violence.

To this end, we have established the El Paso Victims Relief Fund in the Paso del Norte Community Foundation to accept monetary donations to support victims and their families.

We appreciate your generosity in this moment of profound tragedy and sadness.

The Boards and Staff of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation, Paso del Norte Health Foundation and Fundación Paso del Norte.

[Click here to…

New program to help treat children with feeding difficulties

July 17, 2019

It’s dinner time, and once again you look for an innovative approach to get your child to eat. Is he a picky eater or a problem feeder? The Paso Del Norte Children’s Development Center (CDC) has an answer for children with special needs.

With support from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s Healthy Eating Active Living Initiative, the CDC has launched their “Off to a Good Start”…

El Paso County Opens Application Process for $1 Million in Healthy Food Financing Initiative Funds

July 16, 2019

El Paso County has broken new ground as the first county in the country to establish a Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) to increase access to healthy and affordable food. In December of 2018, El Paso County allocated $500,000 of the County Economic Development Impact Fund to start the initiative. With this investment, the County will offer grants and low-interest loans to develop and expand healthy food retail and infrastructure in high-need areas of El Paso County.

On July 1, Commissioners Court unanimously approved agreements with two HFFI partners to move forward and open…

Trailblazing Highlights

July 16, 2019

2018 led our community of philanthropy on new and expanding paths, with the leadership of our boards of directors, staff and hundreds of community partners and volunteers that believe in our vision to ensure that the people of our binational, tri-state region have the knowledge, resources, support and environment to lead happy, healthy and productive lives. Today, we celebrate this trailblazing work with several highlights from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and the Paso del Norte Community Foundation:

[**Paso del Norte Health…

Meet the newest member of our Accounting Team

July 16, 2019

We are pleased to welcome Namgyal Wangchuk to the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and Paso del Norte Community Foundation. As Accounting Support Assistant, Namgyal is responsible for assisting with payroll, payables and other accounting functions and support with financial reporting and customer service.

Namgyal is originally from Thimphu, Bhutan, which is the capital of Bhutan. He is a recent graduate of UTEP with a bachelor’s in business administration with a focus on accounting. In his spare time, he enjoys taking long walks with his two dogs.

Namgyal can be reached at:…

Texas Tobacco 21: a new law in Texas

July 16, 2019

More than automobile crashes, gun violence and opiate overdoses combined, tobacco is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. and kills over 480,000 people each year. While cigarette use has decreased over the last few years, e-cigarette use, particularly by youth, is rapidly increasing. E-cigarette use by youth has been called an epidemic by the FDA and is up 77% from last year.

On June 7, 2019, Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 21, or Tobacco 21, which raises the minimum legal age in Texas to purchase tobacco from 18 years to 21 years. Presently, 95% of smokers start before…

Foundation Awards New Grants to Support Healthy Eating and Active Living

June 12, 2019

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation recently awarded 12 grants totaling more than $1.9 million under the Healthy Eating and Active Living Priority Area – HEAL Initiative. The purpose of the HEAL initiative is to make healthy eating and active living the easy choice for youth and their families.

Funded organizations are:

Arbol de Vida - $139,963.63
HEAL
To provide nutritious meals and physical activities to children in Rancho Anapra and Loma de Poleo in Ciudad Juárez, México.

Border Partners - $98,120.00
HEAL – Year 5
To establish home and school…

Tobacco 21 goes into effect on September 1

June 12, 2019

On June 7, Governor Abbot signed SB 21, or Tobacco 21, which raises the minimum legal age in Texas to purchase tobacco from 18 years to 21 years. Tobacco 21 also makes changes to how tobacco sales to minors are enforced. A person can be charged under the law if they sell, give, or knowingly purchase with the intention of providing a cigarette, e-cigarette, or other tobacco product to someone who is younger than 21 years old. A conviction calls for a fine of $100. The new law also requires retailers to train their clerks to prevent a violation of this law. Exemptions to the law include…