Since the colonization of America by Spaniards, indigenous people at the border of Texas were considered to be “heathens”, and were forced to become slaves and to identify as Hispanic or be killed.  Hispanic people at the border of Texas have lived a life of second class citizens for generations.  While over 90% of those living in substandard settlements called the colonias are US born citizens, they live in communities without running water, electricity, access to schools, internet etc.  This systemic disinvestment has led to generational poverty across vital conditions.  For more information, read this report from the Dallas Federal Reserve.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) of South Texas has a mission to advance well-being for those who are “least served” in 74 counties in the southern tip of Texas. MHM runs a foundation and a health care system that work together to achieving its mission. MHM has a long history of investing in its communities, but outside of health care, its investments would often be short-term and reactive. MHM had learned that lack of access to these upstream vital conditions were compromising well-being in their communities and wanted to shift their environment to create greater well-being.