A local nonprofit has been helping the Hispanic community on Austin for 20 years now.
News 8's Paul Brown spoke with Ivan Devilla of El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission.
Q: Let’s talk about the mission. What is the mission these days of El Buen?
A: The mission of El Buen is to transform the lives of people by engaging the strengths of Hispanic families to promote their successful participation in society. Now, that’s a mouthful. But, basically what we do is we take the people that come to El Buen, we take their strengths and pool their strengths and make them into something better - into something that can be applied to the society here in the United States.
Q: And I know there are so many aspects that in a short period of time is hard to go through all of them, but one of the latest pushes, I understand, regards to one’s health. Right?
A: Yes. Health. Our executive director, Ed Gomez, he actually went through health issues a couple of years ago and he decided to be more forceful when it comes to health, so everybody in the organization has to be health conscience. So, when you come into the break room, you do not see any of that because he might come in and he might fuss at you for doing that.
Q: He’s setting an example and he wants everybody else to be an example to.
A: That’s right.
Q: Again, just one sampling of all of the things that you are doing for the community. You are a non-profit, of course, and so people can help in many ways. How are you funded and how can people help?
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El Buen
Watch the interview with Ivan Devilla.
 
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A: Basically private funders…private donors. People that are listening right now, watching TV, they can help us. They can go to see more information…look for more information on line on our website, www.elbuen.org, and just read through it and email us. We need your money.
Q: Some things coming up. What is happening here with El Buen?
A: Well, El Buen is celebrating 20 years. We’ve grown immensely and in November we are actually having a Thanksgiving basket giveaway so we will be needing, also, their help again. We’re going to need a lot of help from volunteers and we need non-perishable food items.
