Gibson Soto Foundation
2020 Annual Report
About us

Our mission and Vision

The Gibson Soto Foundation works to break the poverty cycle by supporting young women from impoverished or marginalized communities in Mexico to complete university-level education and providing additional programs and developmental skills to integrate our women from poverty to middle class.

Our mission: To serve the world by supporting higher education and full development for bright young women from marginalized communities in Mexico, allowing them to achieve sustainable success for future generations.

Our Vision: To break the cycle of poverty and achieve the sustainable development of communities through education, uplifting human beings, and generating peace and prosperity.

Our philosophies

The Gibson Soto Foundation is focused purely on improving young women’s lives through education and developmental programs so they may rise above poverty.  Our philosophy is based on a simple set of core principles we call the Pillars of Integrity.

At the Gibson Soto Foundation, we believe these principles are at the core of everything we do, from the board of directors, staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries.

Honesty

Trust

Respect

Responsibility

Dignity

Message from the Founders

“We are so proud of our young women.  Our young women have demonstrated their willingness to do what it takes to rise from poverty.”

In 2017, Patricia and Tom launched the Gibson Soto Foundation with a passion for helping young women from impoverished and marginalized communities in developing countries rise from poverty through education and developmental programs.  2018 marked the opening of their facility, La Cima, located in Queretaro, Mexico, where young women from different parts of the country will come live and participate in programs specially designed to help raise them from poverty while achieving a college degree.

2020 has been a challenging year around the world.  The pandemic has brought challenges to our organization that could not have been predicted.  Thanks to our donor support, our young women and their families have remained safe and healthy.

“We are so proud of our young women.  Our young women have demonstrated their willingness to do what it takes to rise from poverty.”

Your support not only kept all of our students in school, and you allowed us to continue our programs in new ways we could not have ever imagined.

Your support positively impacted our student families by providing financial stimulus to help maintain a functioning household.  Without this support, our students would be forced to abandon their studies to help support their families.

Arcelia Angeles Hernandez - Industrial Engineer Student

Success story

“I have come forward in my life despite many difficulties. My family and I are extremely grateful for all the support we have received month after month. I can assure you that Gibson Soto Foundation is one of the best opportunities in my life.”

Arcelia joined the Gibson Soto family in 2018 and hit the ground running from day one, focusing on her studies to become an industrial engineer specializing in plastics.  Arcelia is a loving, caring individual with a heart of gold.  Despite the challenges from the pandemic, family health issues, and the financial burdens of poverty, Arcelia has remained an amazing young woman who keeps smiling and is always eager to help others.

In December, Arcelia entered into the Nacional ExpoCiencias Sonora 2020 science and technology competition.  Her task was to create a project that meets one of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals promoted by the United Nations Organization. Arcelia’s goal was to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

Arcelia created the Eco-Brick, and achieved second place!  So we asked Acelia, “What is Eco-Brick?”

Eco brick is a project that aims to produce bricks with recycled materials from construction waste and using high-density polyethylene, which is a widely used plastic and easy to find in containers. Eco-Brick has a greater resistance to heat and more durable than a normal brick due to its composition.

In her spare time, Arcelia loves horseback riding and helping her family with their small farm.

We are so proud of Arcelia.

Student Testimonials

“
Lupita
I am very happy with the support they have given me; I have learned to interact better with myself and those around me, thanks to what they have taught me through workshops and the follow-up that have given me to keep my emotions in balance despite the pandemic, at the same time that they help me to develop satisfactorily in my studies. I believe that the Gibson Soto Foundation has covered various areas of my life to avoid being deprived intellectually and financially.

Lupita Reséndiz

Student
“
Mayra 2
Thanks to the Gibson Soto Foundation's support, my family and I have overcome the economic crisis that we are experiencing due to covid-19. I thank all the board of trustees members for the support they offer my family and me.

Mayra Morales

Student
“
Daniela
In 2020, I felt great support from the Gibson Soto Foundation as they have helped me and accompanied me to adapt to school, especially now that learning is online. They have already given me the advice to avoid having intellectual deficiencies. They have helped me much more to cover my expenses during this period and successfully develop my studies. In addition to the various workshops that help me find the necessary balance in my life, especially in a pandemic situation, we need to control our emotions and seek well-being. I am very happy to be part of the Gibson Soto Foundation, and I am very grateful to all those who make up the Association.

Daniela Reséndiz

Student
“
Alejandra
At Gibson Soto Foundation, they have supported us a lot in all aspects of our well-being. With the pandemic, I have felt their support a lot; they provide me with the tools I need to grow. I think all the workshops are a great experience and the program itself helps me continue my dreams.

Alejandra García

Student

2020 Accomplishments and Highlights

Academic hours – 10,832 Hours

This year, our young women made great efforts to continue their academics despite obstacles, with some students traveling up to three hours to complete required testing. We are so proud of the commitment and effort made by every beneficiary.

Non-academic hours – 685 Hours

In addition to a college education, our young women are provided programs to support their personal growth. These programs include self-love, self-esteem, public speaking, and many more. Our young women also are provided English classes, mentoring, and learn leisure skills, such as arts and music or sports.

Volunteer hours – 1,720 Hours

We love our volunteers for all they do. Our volunteers are always there when we need them, and they are so dedicated to supporting the growth of our beneficiaries.

Volunteer Testimonial: Ingrid – What better than to support each other, to support these women who have all the desire to continue, to grow, and to fulfill their goals.

Pandemic stimulus

2020 brought many challenges in maintaining our programs and ensuring the safety of our students and their families. Schools closed in March and moved to online learning, and our student families faced financial and health issues. Through your support, the Gibson Soto Foundation ensured all students had access to the internet, food, and medical care. No student was forced to leave the program. No family went hungry. You made such a difference this year.

Financials

Awards and Certificates

The Gibson Soto Foundation maintains the Guidestar seal of transparency for three consecutive years. We also have earned the seal of transparency from Cemefi for our facility, La Cima, in Queretaro, Mexico (2020-2021).

How else we help?

As part of the Gibson Soto Program, we teach benevolence and the art of giving.  Throughout the year, all students are required to participate in our Programs of Giving.

 

How can you help?

The Gibson Soto Foundation sustains through donations and gifts from people and corporations like you.  Your contributions create the pathway out of poverty for these young women.  Without your help, their dreams of education would remain just a dream.

Please help us grow.  Right now, there are more young women waiting to have their dream of an education and a pathway out of poverty.  We need your help.

You can support our young women by donating to one of the special causes below.

Please donate today to the Gibson Soto Foundation.

Journey Fund: Help a Young Woman Begin Her Journey $5,000

The cost to fund an individual student for a year is $5,000. Your donation will provide a young woman with all she needs to start her journey and includes room and board, tuition, medical needs, and workshops.
Donate now!

Community Project Fund $1000

As part of the Gibson Soto Foundation program, beneficiaries are required to complete a community project. Community projects are designed to teach our young women project management, teamwork, presentation skills, and the value of giving back. Your contribution will provide the resources needed to complete these projects.
Donate now!

Technology Fund $500

Our young women come to us from very marginalized or impoverished communities that often do not have modern technological services or products. A contribution to this fund will provide the technology the organization needs to improve its services.
Donate now!

Thank you

Many more young women deserve an opportunity of education and to live without the daily struggle of poverty.  Your contribution can make a difference in the life of a young woman.

Make a donation
Email: Thomas@GibsonSotoFoundation.org
Email: Patricia@GibsonSotoFoundation.org
Phone: (305) 503-6653