Cafecito 2025
Omaha Design Center 1502 Cuming St, Omaha
September 25, 2025!
4:00 pm - Mingle & Community Showcase 5:30 pm - Program 7:00 pm - Cafecito After Hours
What is Cafecito with HWC?
Rooted in the cherished tradition of gathering over coffee and conversation, this event goes beyond fundraising—it is a celebration of HWC’s impact, growth, and the resilience of the communities we serve.
What to Expect:
Cafecito & Conversation – Bringing Nebraska’s business and community leaders together in a single space to connect over coffee, bites, and bold ideas.
Keynote Speaker & Community Stories:
Hear real success stories directly from the workers, families, organizers, and grassroots leaders we support.
Honoring Our Partners & Volunteers:
Recognizing HWC volunteers, staff, funders, and community leaders nominated for awards by their peers for their impact in the community.
Entertainment & Cafecito After Hours:
A reception celebrating the resilience and collective impact of our communities.
Look Back at Cafecito with HWC!
Your support as a sponsor will not only fuel our mission but also contribute to a brighter, more empowered future for our communities. Join us in empowering families, strengthening workplaces, and building leadership by becoming a sponsor today!
Be a champion for the community with us
Become a sponsor!
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A sponsorship at this level is enough to provide 25 families with Safety Plans and wrap around support or fund 12 community leaders to gain OSHA 10-hour certification.
8 Premium Reserved Seats at a VIP sponsor table
2 Social Media Posts recognizing sponsorship.
VIP Lounge access at Cafecito After Hours.
Large logo placement in the HWC Annual Report & Website for one year.
Prominent name & logo placement on event program and signage at Cafecito.
Name acknowledgment by the Executive Director during Cafecito opening presentation.
Recognition at an HWC program graduation or community event
Local HWC community site tour led by a community organizer
Intimate Community Immersion Experience: Lunch with the Executive Director & Community Leaders.
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A sponsorship at this level is enough to fund 30 community leaders to gain CPR certifications.
8 Premium Reserved Seats at a sponsor table
2 Social Media Posts recognizing sponsorship.
Logo placement in the HWC Annual Report & Website for one year.
Name & logo displayed on event program and signage at Cafecito.
Group recognition during ED opening remarks with logo displayed on a slide
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A sponsorship at this level is enough to fund 1 community leader in applying for permanent residency.
8 Reserved Seats at a sponsor table
1 Social Media Post recognizing sponsorship.
Logo placement in the HWC Annual Report & Website for one year.
Logo displayed on event program and signage at Cafecito.
Group recognition during ED opening remarks with logo displayed on a slide
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A sponsorship at this level is enough to fund the delivery of 5 Family Safety Plan Presentations to families in various communities across Nebraska.
8 Reserved Seats at a sponsor table
1 Social Media Post recognizing sponsorship.
Name (not logo) placement in the HWC Annual Report & Website for one year.
Name listed on event program and signage at Cafecito.
Meet Our Honorary Co-Chairs!
Maria Vazquez, PhD
Maria Vazquez, PhD, is Vice President for Student Affairs at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska. Born in Mexico City and raised in South Omaha, she earned degrees from Metropolitan Community College, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. A founding member of the Intercultural Senior Center, she has served on numerous community boards and earned multiple honors, including the UNL Impact Award and Douglas County’s Martin Luther King Community Award.
Mark Martinez
Mark Martinez is a lifelong South Omaha resident and graduate of South High School and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he earned a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Over 34 years in law enforcement, he served with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Omaha Police Department—becoming the first Latino Captain and Deputy Chief—and the U.S. Marshals Service, where he was appointed U.S. Marshal for Nebraska by President Barack Obama. Martinez was also the first Latino elected to the Omaha Public School Board.
The Heart Behind Cafecito
Maria Vazquez:
“What’s one moment of joy or connection you’re hoping people feel at Cafecito?”
I hope people feel the positive energy and deep passion that radiates from the work of the HWC team—whether they’re encountering it for the first time or reconnecting with it. It’s a moment to recognize the heart behind the mission.
“If you could describe Cafecito in 3 words, what would they be?”
Awareness. Compassion. Action.
“What inspires you most about the families and communities HWC serves?”
I’m most inspired by their perseverance and their unwavering hope for a better future. Their strength and resilience are a constant reminder of why this work matters.
Mark Martinez:
“What’s one moment of joy or connection you’re hoping people feel at Cafecito?”
A deep, human understanding and connection.
“If you could describe Cafecito in 3 words, what would they be?”
A blessed opportunity.
“What inspires you most about the families and communities HWC serves?”
The courage, hope, and faith that are the cornerstone of immigrant families
