SAN FRANCISCO — On October 23, 2025, the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) gathered partners, staff, supporters, and community members for its 52nd anniversary celebration, ¡VIVA MEDA! 52, at San Francisco’s War Memorial Green Room. This year’s theme—”La Unión Hace la Fuerza / Unity Is Strength”—set the tone for an evening dedicated to community resilience and shared purpose.
Emceed by MEDA’s National Partnerships Director, Juan Diego Castro, the celebration opened with a vibrant one-hour performance by Mariachi Nueva Generación.
Mayor Daniel Lurie opened his remarks by acknowledging MEDA’s leadership in expanding economic mobility across the Mission District and emphasized the City’s dedication to working alongside community organizations to protect and uplift all San Franciscans.
CEO Luis Granados then reflected on over five decades of collaboration—with families, entrepreneurs, funders, and partners—to strengthen communities in San Francisco and beyond.
“This moment calls for unity, solidarity, and generosity,” said Granados. “We must look out for our neighbors—and care for our organizations. Nonprofits, including MEDA, must be prepared, resourced, and ready to act quickly. The time to support us is now. We must be peaceful, creative, and brave. Above all, we must be united.”
The evening also celebrated 10 years of Fondo Adelante, MEDA’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Over the past decade, Fondo Adelante has provided fair capital to hundreds of small-business owners who form the backbone of the local economy and keep the Mission’s culture alive.With personalized coaching and financial tools grounded in cultural understanding, MEDA continues to create solutions that meet the real needs of the entrepreneurial community.
In connection with this milestone, Rebeca Patiño, Vice President of Fondo Adelante, presented the 2025 ¡VIVA! Award to Bismark Loaisiga, owner of Bismark Auto Body & Paint. His story of entrepreneurship, perseverance, and community leadership embodies MEDA’s mission to create pathways for economic mobility.
The evening concluded with dancing, celebration, and a shared commitment to unity—the driving force behind MEDA’s 52 years of impact and the work still ahead.
Leave a reply