Our Familia's History
Lazos was founded- 2003
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Teresa Vivar, the founder of Lazos met with volunteers to talk about the lack of health resources people of color face and wanted to improve those services in the cities she lived in.
Lazos partnered with the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences to grow Marigolds for the Day of the Dead, an important cultural event for the Mexican community.
Marigold Project- 2004
Under the law of New Jersey, Lazos registered as a non-profit organization and they began their collective service for the Mexican and Latino communities.
Registered as a nonprofit- 2005
Executive Director Teresa Vivar spoke about Lazos' mission statement and what they've achieved at conferences across the country to reach out to sponsors and donors.
Conference Debuts- 2009
Lazos became a mutual aid group during the COVID-19 pandemic, and provided resources such as food, housing, health, funeral, and other community relief supports. Lazos also started working in collaboration with the Mexican consulate and started providing workshops for women and men in New Jersey.
COVID AID/Mexican Consulate- 2020
Teresa Vivar is the founder and executive director of Lazos America Unida, an organization based in New Brunswick that supports young Mexican immigrants and their families. Vivar helps families navigate tightening U.S. immigration laws, and as a passionate advocate for civic engagement, she emphasizes the importance of voting and political participation among younger generations of Mexican Americans. Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, and the oldest of 12 children, Vivar came to the U.S. to further her education and found her calling in New Brunswick, where she now works to empower her community.
