By Sahara Calderon | Institutional development leader
Education, Community, and 25 Years of Transformation
Over the past months, CORDEM has reached a historic milestone: celebrating 25 years of empowering women through our unique model of integral education and emotional support. This period has been characterized by deep reflection on our social impact, the strengthening of our community bonds, and the successful launch of a new academic cycle focused on resilience and goal-setting.
NOVEMBER | Celebrating 25 Years of Strengthening Lives
25th Anniversary Event: "Fortaleciendo vidas, construyendo comunidad" On November 6, we gathered at the Instituto Nuevo Amanecer to celebrate a quarter-century of impact. With over 150 attendees, including donors, graduates, and allies, the event was a powerful reminder that education is the key to a more humane and equitable future. Our founder, Yolanda Lozano, reaffirmed that the true investment lies in the human being and the courage to pursue dreams.
Impact Measurement: "Trayectorias que Transforman" A highlight of the anniversary was the presentation of our impact study, developed with the support of volunteers from Boston Consulting Group. This study proved that our model—combining scholarships with psycho-emotional accompaniment—generates lasting changes:
Commemorative Book: “Aprendí a amarme” We launched a book featuring 25 testimonies of resilience. These stories serve as a legacy of healing, showing how our therapeutic processes transform individual pain into collective strength.
DECEMBER | Closing Cycles and Lighting Paths
Semester Closing: "Community that Accompanies" We closed the Autumn 2025 semester with a meaningful session. Guided by our therapy team, students engaged in a "Creative Challenge," representing their year through collective art. The highlight was our traditional Candle Ritual, where graduates shared their light and wisdom with new students, symbolizing that in CORDEM, "no woman walks alone."
Luztopía: Lighting Community Hope We participated in the lighting of "Luztopía," an iconic regional event. Supported by local influencers, we amplified our mission, reminding the community that when we organize and join forces, education opens paths and life flourishes.
JANUARY | New Beginnings and Sustainable Alliances
Spring 2026 Semester Opening We welcomed our scholarship recipients with workshops designed to set clear purposes. Through activities like the "Achievement Tree" and "Vision Boards," women visualized their academic and personal goals. Additionally, the "Letter to my Future Self" exercise provided them with a therapeutic tool to find empathy and confidence during challenging times of the semester.
"Your Change Changes Stories" Campaign In collaboration with MERCO Supermarkets, we launched a fundraising campaign (January 30 – May 28). This initiative allows the general public to contribute small donations that directly sustain our Scholarship and Emotional Accompaniment Programs.
Honoring Legacies We remembered our co-founder, Norma Leticia Perez Csitkovits, whose vision 25 years ago remains the heartbeat of our organization. Her legacy lives on in every woman who achieves autonomy through our program.
Every activity during this period reminds us that transformation begins with opportunity and accompaniment. At CORDEM, we remain committed to providing women with the tools, confidence, and support they need to build a better future.
Thank you for walking alongside us—together, we are shaping a world of equality and hope.
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