LULAC Council 4568 – 30 Years of Service
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Final Article
By A. Govea
The Early Lessons
Primero, when we returned from our Cinco de Mayo Unity Trip, we began thinking about how to engage more kids—and what lessons we wanted them to learn. Because one thing became clear on that trip: there was a lot I assumed everyone knew, but many didn’t.
Kids would often tell me, “I didn’t know that. Nobody ever told me that.” Or “Nadie me dijo.” At first, I thought they were joking—or maybe lying. But over time, I realized I was the one who was wrong.
Coming from a business background into youth social services, I had to learn that every family has its own history, and what you learn at home isn’t universal. Many of our youth were also first‑generation Americans. That led us to create our Rites of Passage Program, built around five components:
1. Spiritual – Is there a higher power in your life?2. Cultural – Understanding our community’s history in the U.S.3. Economic – What you don’t know can hurt you.4. Political – Why involvement matters.5. Career – How to get there.
We brought in local experts for each component and held a graduation ceremony to celebrate their new knowledge. This program served both boys and girls until later, when we created the Miss Señorita Scholarship Pageant and Leadership Program specifically for young ladies.
Building a District and a Movement
After founding our council, Fort Worth finally had the opportunity to form a new LULAC district. For years, Fort Worth had been part of District 3, largely controlled by Dallas. At the Amarillo State Convention, we agreed to split and create District 21.
1996 – A Year of Milestones
In October 1996, we led the only Fort Worth group to the First Latino March in Washington, D.C. We packed a 15‑passenger van with youth from North Side High School and Polytech High School, plus another five or six members in my Ford Explorer. It was, for me, the greatest feeling of Latino unity I have ever experienced—about 100,000 Latinos of all backgrounds gathered together.
That same year, we launched the Árbol de la Esperanza – Tree of Hope Christmas Program, featuring Pancho Claus for neighborhood children.
2000s – Youth, Advocacy, and Growth
Around 2000, we attended the Cesar Chavez March and Rally in Austin with local youth, and later helped organize similar efforts in Fort Worth.
Throughout the early 2000s, our youth councils grew, with chapters at North Side High School, Polytech High School, O.D. Wyatt High School, Western Hills High School, a community youth council, and later a Young Adult Council at TCU.
Around 2003, we launched the Miss Señorita Scholarship Pageant, a leadership program for young women ages 14–19, taught by professional women from across the area.
In 2006, harmful legislation targeting the Latino community sparked the Latino Immigration March in Fort Worth, where our council, the Hispanic Chamber, and other groups became deeply involved.
Around 2007–2008, District 21 experienced a brief split among its roughly 20 councils—though only two or three were truly active.
During this period, we also hosted a National LULAC Youth Board Meeting, bringing youth and sponsors from across the country to Fort Worth.
Our council raised funds and transported youth to conventions as far as Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Orlando, and throughout Texas. One of our youth members was elected State Youth Director, and she and another member served on the National Youth Board.
2013–2014 – Honoring Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta
Around 2013–2014, our council led efforts to honor Cesar Chavez with city signage. Many assumed it would be easy—after all, many cities already had streets named after him.
They were wrong.
It took nearly 10 years to secure approval for honorary sign toppers. While not the same as renaming a street, we also requested—and received—signage honoring Dolores Huerta.
Today, the signs run from Beach Street and 28th to Main Street, and Dolores Huerta signs continue from Main to Jacksboro Highway. Drivers approaching the 28th Street exit will also see Cesar Chavez Memorial Drive.
2025 – Voting Rights Fight
In 2025, our council partnered with the League of Women Voters and the Texas Civil Rights Project to challenge Tarrant County for creating gerrymandered voting maps that diluted minority voting power.
Present Day – Continuing the Work
Today, our annual programs include:• Fiesta de Libros Book Fair (twice a year)• Back‑to‑School Supply Giveaway• Latino Legacy Awards• Árbol de la Esperanza – Tree of Hope Christmas Program• Our children’s book, Pancho and the Navidad Surprise
There is much more I had to leave out due to space. For more information, contact me at alberto@holatexas.us.
Finally, I want to thank all our members who have never failed to help run and fund our programs. And to the area businesses, professional offices, and community‑conscious individuals—thank you. We cannot succeed without you.
All LULAC members are unpaid volunteers. Mil gracias to all of you—and especially to my wife Gloria, who has supported this work since day one.
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