Our History
MAUC was incorporated in 1967 as a means to diligently organize for economic and political empowerment of the Mexican American population in San Antonio. MAUC’s purpose at that time was ‘to provide gratuitously, counseling and educational programs to Mexican American volunteer groups and leaders, interested in the social, economic and educational problems of Mexican Americans throughout the State of Texas.’ Its founding board of directors included, Dr. Charles Cotrell (St. Mary’s University), Dr. Richard Caldwell (Kelly AFB), Judge Albert A. Peña, Jr. (Bexar County Commissioner), and community activists Mario Compeán, William C. Velásquez, and Juán J. Patlán.

MAUC, the first local affiliate of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR-formerly known as the Southwest Council of La Raza), soon established itself as a leader in advocating community problems. Like a finely woven tapestry or a detailed piece of art with rich and vibrant colors and textures, MAUC has experienced the gamut in issues affecting our constituencies.

At the crux of MAUC’s inception was the right to speak Spanish on school grounds at a local school district. Another was the inclusion of courses portraying the positive contributions made to society by Mexican Americans – something that was not taught in schools at the time. Voter education and registration was another effort – especially dear to the heart of then MAUC Executive Director Willie Velásquez. His work at MAUC laid the groundwork for his later endeavor, the Southwest Voter Education and Registration Project (SVREP).

In the last thirty-seven years, MAUC’s activities have expanded and now encompass the program areas of:

MAUC is always looking for opportunities to build capacity. What is capacity building? Very simple: it is the development of an organization’s core skills and capabilities such as

• Leadership
• Management
• Finance & Fundraising
• Programs & Evaluation…

…in order to build the organization’s effectiveness and sustainability. It is the process of assisting an individual or group to identify and address issues and gain insights, knowledge and experience needed to solve problems and implement change.

If you are interested in supporting MAUC’s efforts, either through funding, in-kind services, or volunteer opportunities, please contact us at 210.978.0500 or e-mail info@mauc.org.

Dedicated to the rebirth of our inner city neighborhoods...

MAUC resides in a historical building constructed in 1911. As the former home of David Crockett Elementary School, it was vacated in 1967 and remained unoccupied and subject to vandalism until 1975. The structure faced demolition but the community protested that as a “beacon of hope,” as it was called in its heyday, they could not allow the building to face the wrecking ball. The City then called for bids to purchase and restore the stoic edifice and MAUC was selected through a competitive process to take charge in restoring the structure. The MAUC Center was dedicated in ceremonial fashion on October 29, 1977.

MAUC Center is currently home to many community-based organizations such as AVANCE, Gary Job Corp, City of San Antonio Community Initiatives, CentroMEd, Healthy Families of San Antonio and The Children’s Shelter.

For a complete listing of MAUC’s tenants click here