Javier and Azalea

After retiring from a career in business and raising two children, Javier and Azalea Henao were looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community. When close family friends shared their own Minneapolis College experience of establishing a scholarship, they were eager to learn more. All it took was a brief meeting with Foundation staff before they, too, began investing in Minneapolis College students’ futures.

Immigrating from Colombia and Mexico as young adults, Javier and Azalea were familiar with the hardships faced when adjusting to a new country and a new culture. Knowing little English, Javier began his post-secondary education at a community college in Chicago. He continued on to a bachelor’s degree before beginning his business career in the healthcare industry. With their own American Dream stories in mind, the Henaos established a scholarship for undocumented students of Hispanic heritage.

“The diversity in life experience brings an energy to this campus like no other. It’s our honor to be a part of it. So many students need just a little bit of funds to turn their dreams into actionable goals. With this little bit of support, they can leave Minneapolis College with a pathway to a career that sets them up for a comfortable life. We want to open this door for as many students as we can.”

Seeing themselves in the stories of Minneapolis College students, the Henaos invested in the type of institution that got them on their feet, a community college. As engines for social mobility, community colleges are often the first step up the economic ladder. We ask you join the Henaos by helping Minneapolis College students get from here to there. We can’t do it without you.