our story
Before there was Courageous Corazón Foundation, there was Rosario.
Born in Sinaloa, México, Rosario left school after second grade to help support her family. Yet throughout her life, she remained committed to learning; She learned English, became a U.S. citizen, and continued taking classes whenever she could.
Her example taught her daughter, Mary Avalos, a lesson that would shape the rest of her life: education creates opportunity, and opportunity changes generations.
Like many immigrant families, Mary's family journey was marked by sacrifice, resilience, and hope. Her parents came to the United States seeking greater opportunities for their children. They worked hard, built a life from the ground up, and believed deeply in the power of education to open doors that had once been closed to them.
As a child, Mary watched her parents attend night classes to learn English and study for their citizenship exams. She saw firsthand the determination it took to start over in a new country, navigate unfamiliar systems, and pursue a better future despite limited resources.
She also witnessed the quiet generosity that defined her mother's life.
No matter how little the family had, there was always room at the table for someone else. There was always food to share, encouragement to offer, or a helping hand for a neighbor in need. Rosario believed that when you have the ability to help someone, you do.
That lesson stayed with Mary.
Throughout Mary’s professional career and years of community involvement, she remained committed to service, mentorship, and helping others access opportunities that could change the trajectory of their lives. Yet she often found herself returning to one question: How could she create more opportunities for people who simply needed someone to believe in them?
In 2019, that question became the Courageous Corazón Foundation.
The foundation began by providing scholarships to students pursuing higher education and career pathways. Mary was especially drawn to students who faced barriers that traditional measures of success often fail to capture, including first-generation students, DACA recipients, working students, and others balancing significant responsibilities while pursuing their goals.
Today, Courageous Corazón Foundation continues to invest in students, families, and communities by expanding access to educational opportunities and supporting individuals with the determination and potential to create lasting change.
Because when one person succeeds, the impact extends far beyond a single scholarship.
It strengthens families.
It inspires communities.
And it creates opportunities for future generations to rise.