Our Story: Building a Foundation for Change

The Vezbi Foundation was created with one goal in mind: to build stronger, self-sustaining communities through compassion, creativity, and opportunity.

Founded in Boyle Heights, the Foundation began as a vision shared by people who believe real change comes from being active in the community, not just talking about it.
Through hard work, authentic partnerships, and genuine care, that vision has grown into a movement that uses food, art, and mentorship as tools to uplift lives and strengthen neighborhoods.

At the heart of everything we do is a promise to empower people with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to thrive.

Through Community Table, we have brought fresh food and care directly to families, distributing over 1,000 pantry bags, 100 Thanksgiving meals in 2024, and securing 500 turkeys for the year ahead. Our upcoming Farmers Market at Mariachi Plaza will create a sustainable local economy where community vendors and families grow together.

Our Culinary Mentorship Program, led by Chef Jonathan Perez, teaches youth not only how to cook but how to sustain themselves, build confidence, and lead.
That mentorship now extends to Colina De Luz Orphanage in Tijuana, where children are learning farm-to-table skills to grow and prepare their own meals, and to the Salesian Family Youth Center, where youth will cook for their peers and learn what it takes to nourish an entire community.
At Distrito Catorce, Chef Jonathan continues to mentor young talent like Tatum Piñon, who has learned to run a professional kitchen with skill, precision, and pride.

Through art, we have expanded that same philosophy of empowerment.
We launched Galería de Arte at Distrito Catorce, transforming its walls into a living gallery for local artists.
Working with Homeboy Art Academy and SELA Art Center, we have created spaces for artists to exhibit, teach, and inspire.
This led to Vivid Steps, a public art initiative turning intersections and crosswalks into vibrant cultural landmarks that represent the heart of each community, with our first activation approved at Mariachi Plaza (CD14) and the next already in motion at MacArthur Park (CD1).

Within Vivid Steps, we built Cityscape Protégé, a mentorship program that pairs established artists with emerging youth to teach design, mural work, and storytelling through public art.
These initiatives are guided by Sergio Robleto, a respected community artist and educator whose ability to connect with youth ensures that each project creates both beauty and opportunity.

Everything we do is connected by a single thread: passing knowledge forward.
Because when we teach others to stand on their own, the impact lasts for generations.

As we continue to grow, we are building momentum and strengthening our presence in the community.
We look for partners who align with our values and share our purpose, those who believe in growing together, teaching others, and uplifting one another.
When our efforts align, everyone benefits, especially the youth and the communities we serve.
With the right partners and support, we can expand our reach, create more opportunities, and continue transforming neighborhoods into spaces of pride, creativity, and hope.

The Vezbi Foundation is more than an organization.
It is a commitment to teach, to uplift, and to move with purpose.
Every meal shared, every mentorship given, and every mural painted brings us one step closer to the future we all deserve.

Explore our gallery above to see the work in motion and join us in building what comes next.

Every act of support helps us continue what we’ve started — feeding families, mentoring youth, and building the kind of community we all deserve.
Click below to make a donation to the Vezbi Foundation and help us keep creating lasting change.
If our mission speaks to you, we invite you to share it with others in your network who believe in community, creativity, and purpose.