2024 Vision Awards Ceremony

CEREMONY RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE IN OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

The Frances McClelland Vision Awards were created to celebrate the legacy of Frances McClelland, who was a generous and tireless advocate for children, youth, and families, especially those experiencing adversity and injustice. Frances exemplified, supported, and celebrated resilience during her lifetime. The annual awards are given to those who share Francesʼ and FMIʼs vision of strong communities that support family resilience so that all children and youth, especially those who are most disadvantaged, have the opportunity to thrive. We also honor the legacy of another visionary leader in our community, Richard Elías, a longtime community advocate and leader, who served on the Pima County Board of Supervisors and the FMI Advisory Council.

Thank You to Our Event Sponsors!

Meet This Year's Award Winners!

2024 Frances McClelland Vision Award Winner - Bonnie Bazata
Bonnie Bazata is the Public Policy, Education, and Research Officer for the Primavera Foundation where she is excited to lead a multi-sector network of organizations to implement the Prosperity policies in partnership with the City of Tucson and Pima County. The goal is equitable economic mobility that breaks the cycle of intergenerational poverty and increases community prosperity.

Bonnie was privileged to develop this work as the Ending Poverty Now Program Manager for Pima County from 2015 to 2024. Bonnie’s commitment to equity and ending poverty start with her family experience and developed over many decades in her professional work. She has extensive experience working with culturally and economically diverse communities and has developed model programs, as well as presented and published regionally and nationally on issues related to poverty. Bonnie has an MA from the University of Arizona, a BA from Antioch College, a teaching certificate from Prescott College, and is a Watson Fellow.

2024 Richard Elías Legacy Award Winner - Maria Christina Federico Brummer
María Christina Federico Brummer, M.Ed., proudly supports students and parents as the Director of Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican American Student Services Department since 2016. In her leading this department, she challenges districtwide systems to advance equity and dismantle discriminatory practices for our Mexican American/Chicanx students. During her 28 years in public education, she has advocated for culturally relevant curriculum centering Mexican American Studies to bring students’ culture, language, and other assets to the forefront of learning in partnership with their families. She is one of the eleven Mexican American/Raza Studies educators who initially challenged ARS 15-112 (Arizona’s Anti-Ethnic Studies law). María has served as a voice for Mexican American/Chicanx students in multiple settings including the Arizona César E. Chávez & Dolores Huerta Holiday Coalition; Arizona Department of Education’s Culturally Inclusive Practices Committee and Latinx Advisory Council; Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s Tucson Advisory Council; University of Arizona’s Mexican American Studies Community Advisory, Hispanic Community Advisory, and Hijos Project Advisory Board.

Ms. Federico Brummer received her B.A. in History from the University of Arizona and earned an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. She continues her academic journey in the Mexican American Studies doctoral program at the University of Arizona while she serves as an adjunct faculty for Pima Community College’s Ethnic, Gender, Transborder Studies & Sociology department in Mexican American Studies to ensure high school students earn college credit. As a Mexican Indigenous (Tlamanalcah/Nahua/Mayo) educator who is deeply rooted in Tucson, her passion in this work is carried with a responsibility to the community as she stays centered as a proud mother to Xochitl and daughter to Rosalinda and José.

2024 Frances McClelland Youth Vision Award - Luna Aguirre
Luna Aguirre’s story is one of overcoming adversity and finding joy through artistic expression, highlighting her resilience and unwavering pursuit of personal fulfillment. A native of Tucson, Luna's path has been shaped by creativity and resilience. After becoming homeless at 17 and living with vestibular migraine disorder, she navigated her challenges with determination, fueling her passion for supporting and creating for others.

As a member of the Youth On Their Own (YOTO) Youth Action Board, Luna provides feedback to help the YOTO program make organizational decisions. Her own experiences inspire her commitment to advocacy and expressing gratitude to the YOTO community who encouraged her through hardships, helping her pursue her dreams. Luna is an artist, and YOTO gave her the opportunity to paint her first ever commissioned piece for YOTO's forever home, called La Luna. Luna's art ranges from unique jewelry designs to expressive paintings, reflecting her ability to transform personal vision into tangible works. This process not only serves as a form of personal expression but also stands as a testament to her belief that the pursuit of one's happiness can be realized through creativity and dedication.

Luna understands that there are reasons behind the lack of financial and emotional support from her parents and chooses empathy. She believes it is crucial for people to approach such situations with understanding rather than judgment. By fostering compassion, individuals can spread awareness and promote a more supportive and empathetic approach to those facing similar challenges. Luna plans on pursing college to become a teacher.

A photo of Luna's painting at the YOTO Building:

2024 Frances McClelland Spirit Organizational Award - Interfaith Community Services
The mission of ICS is to provide pathways leading to more stable and self-sufficient lives. ICS is committed to serving more than 60,000 people of Southern Arizona each year through multiple locations that are strategically located to serve the community’s most under resourced members. ICS meets essential needs in very practical ways and deeply respects the human condition, treating every client with respect and dignity. And when individuals who need help walk through the doors of ICS, volunteers and staff open their hearts.