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AltaCair

Enriching Lives in the
Rio Grande Valley

Our commitment is to provide equitable access to essential human needs for the underserved and unserved in the RGV by facilitating collaborations.
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Enriching Lives in the
Rio Grande Valley

Our commitment is to provide equitable access to essential human needs for the underserved and unserved in the RGV by facilitating collaborations.
hero image

Mission

To facilitate collaboration in meeting the basic healthcare needs of the underserved and unserved population.

Vision

To meet healthcare needs of all members of RGV and elevate RGV to a community with ease of access to public health .

Goal

AltaCair Foundation is here to serve the basic needs of the unserved, under served and uninsured population by connecting organizations' efforts to the individuals in need, while filling the gaps created by health disparities.

president

Dr. Rashmi Chandran

Dr. Rashmi Chandran - President

Dr. Rashmi Chandran is a dedicated healthcare executive with over 12 years of service in the Rio Grande Valley, specifically in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Starr Counties. Originally from Mumbai, India, Dr. Chandran has called the RGV home for the past 15 years. Her deep commitment to community service and her extensive career in the hospital and healthcare industry have provided her with a profound understanding of the social challenges faced by the RGV population.

Around 2017, Dr. Chandran felt a growing need to amplify her impact within the community. This drive led her to launch the AltaCair Foundation, an organization dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities and improving access to essential services for underserved populations. The foundation embodies Dr. Chandran’s core values of advocacy and community collaboration. She firmly believes in speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves, a conviction that has shaped her approach to healthcare and community service.

Dr. Chandran’s guiding principle, "I believe that everyone has a right to basic needs," reflects her unwavering commitment to equity and justice. She passionately asserts that "disparities must end at some point," a statement that underscores her mission to create a more inclusive and fair healthcare system.

Through her leadership at AltaCair Foundation, Dr. Chandran has fostered numerous collaborations with local organizations, working tirelessly to ensure that all individuals have access to the care and resources they need. Her dedication and vision continue to inspire those around her, making a tangible difference in the lives of many in the RGV community.

Board of Directors

V O I C E   C H A I R M A N

Eric Weaver

sister
B O A R D   M E M B E R

Sister Norma Pimentel

dr-edwin

B O A R D   C H A I R

Dr. Edwin F. Estevez

marc
B O A R D    M E M B E R

Marc Moron

B O A R D   M E M B E R

Dr Dimple Desai

B O A R D    M E M B E R

Maritza Gonzalez

venorica
B O A R D   M E M B E R

Veronica Gonzales

man
B O A R D   M E M B E R

Todd Mann

Board of Advisors

senator-morgan
B O A R D    A D V I S O R

Senator Morgan LaMantia

B O A R D    A D V I S O R

Cesar Meria

manny-vela
B O A R D    A D V I S O R

Manny Vela

barry-patel
B O A R D    A D V I S O R

Barry Patel

sabrina
B O A R D    A D V I S O R

Sabrina Walker Hernande

thomas
B O A R D    A D V I S O R

Tomas Ray Garcia

One Community,

One Goal:

Elevating our Colonias

Hope in the Red Zone

*colonias are divided in colored zones based on their
level of basic human needs. Green

14%

Did you know?

  • RGV Population: 1.3 M
  • 14% are made up of Colonias
  • 50% of that population live in Hidalgo County
  • 87% of total Colonias experience low or very low resilience
  • Approximately 96% are Hispanic
  • 40% live below poverty line

HOW IT WORKS

Operational Steps

Our foundation focuses on serving underserved Rio Grande Valley residents, especially in colonias, where 87% experience low resilience. The majority are Hispanic, with 40% living below the poverty line. We aim to provide support and empowerment for these communities to thrive through collaboration.

WHO WE SERVE

Did you know?

  • RGV Population: 1.3 M
  • 14% are made up of Colonias
  • 50% of that population live in Hidalgo County
  • 87% of total Colonias experience low or very low resilience
  • Approximately 96% are Hispanic
  • 40% live below poverty line

HOW IT WORKS

Operational Steps

Designing Pilot Program

|

* You are here

|

Listening Series for awareness

Collection of
trends

|

|

Grouping of entities according to colonia needs bucket

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Creating Stretgic plan of action

|

Execution of actions to address the needs of the colonies.

WHO WE SERVE

Basic Needs Not Met

Access to Water

Food Insecurity

Transportation

Economic Impact

Health Needs

Our foundation focuses on serving underserved Rio Grande Valley residents, especially in colonias, where 87% experience low resilience. The majority are Hispanic, with 40% living below the poverty line. We aim to provide support and empowerment for these communities to thrive through collaboration.
Source: “A Bird’s-Eye View of Colonias Hosting Forgotten Americans and Their Community Resilience in the Rio Grande Valley” by Dr Dean Kyne , Department of Sociology , UTRGV

HOW IT WORKS

Operational Steps

Designing Pilot Program

|

* You are here

|

Listening Series for awareness

Collection of
trends

|

|

Grouping of entities according to colonia needs bucket

|

Creating Stretgic plan of action

|

Execution of actions to address the needs of the colonies.

How we can work together

Join us in transforming colonia communities in South Texas! Our organization is partnering with existing and potential collaborators to address diverse needs in these areas. By working together, we can make substantial changes. Let's pool our resources and expertise to ensure every resident has access to vital services and opportunities. Together, we can create a brighter future for all. Join our collaborative efforts today!

Uplifting

Our Colonia’s

Collaborate in solving

Theory Of Change

Basic Health Needs Are A Human Right

AltaCair is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to vital human
needs for the colonias of the Rio Grande Valley

Collaboration

AltaCair aims to foster collaboration among organizations across all sectors, forming teams tailored to achieve the shared objective of meeting our community’s fundamental requirements.

Listening Approach

AltaCair will utilize convening and listening sessions to establish a continuous partnership with different entities in the community. This is aimed at addressing the needs of the unserved and undeserved population.

Bridge Capital

AltaCair provides bridging to assist non-profit organizations in addressing operational gaps through technology, innovative access, strategic planning, and long term communication channels.

Advocacy

AltaCair is steadfast in its mission to upholding the rights of Rio Grande Valley colonial residents through partnerships and advocacy for community needs.