PRESENTE: Always Here, Always Whole

In Spanish, ‘presente’ is a declaration. It’s what we say when our name is called—to affirm: I am here. I belong. I matter. 

In 2025, that word took on even deeper significance. 

Across the country, families faced growing uncertainty. ICE raids spread fear and anxiety, pushing many families to hide in their homes, and others to self-deport. All the while, the rising cost of living has made it harder for families already struggling to stay afloat. Groceries cost more, transportation costs more, and rents climbed beyond what many could afford. 

Yet amid this turmoil, one thing remained constant: people continued to support one another.

So did MAF. 

We stayed present not only during crises but also in the everyday work that sustains financial security and dignity. We supported families in pursuing citizenship, building credit, and launching businesses—creating stability at home and expanding access to safe, responsible financial tools.

But ‘presente’  isn’t just about responding to crises. 

It’s about listening deeply to understand what communities truly need. 

This year, that listening inspired us to launch ALMA, a grant program for families facing immigration related emergencies. When families confronted impossible choices between financial survival and staying together, we responded with trust, speed, and dignity. Within months, hundreds of families facing detention or deportation received direct financial and community support, because being ‘presente’ means offering resources, not just words. 

Listening also shaped our technology. Every tool, from MyMAF to MIJA, grew out of conversations with community members navigating complex financial and immigration systems. These platforms exist because people told us what would improve their lives. 

At MAF, listening is our strategy. 

And none of this happens alone. 

United by shared purpose, alongside our partners, supporters, and community organizations, we demonstrate that financial products can work differently when built with community at the core. 

Reflecting on 2025, I see families asserting their right to be seen – to thrive.

I also see possibility. 

Being ‘presente’  means more than being here today. It is a commitment to a better tomorrow—where everyone is seen, belongs, and matters. 

As we look to the months and years ahead, our promise is simple: We will keep showing up. We will keep listening. We will continue to be ‘presente’—always here, always whole.

With gratitude,
José Quiñonez

To learn more about our impact and initiatives, read our 2025 Annual Report.