Miguel Alban
WEST CHESTER — When Miguel Alban arrived in the U.S. in 2005, he couldn’t speak English, but in just a few short years, he’s become a pillar of the community in southern Chester County area, helping local hispanics, serving on various local boards. As such, Alban was named this week as the winner of Chester County Community Foundation’s 2014 Legacy Award.
Each year Chester County Community Foundation looks for outstanding Chester County citizens who have made a notable effort to improve the communities where they live, work and play. The Foundation honors these individuals with Legacy Awards in five categories of philanthropy: Thanks for Caring, Youth Philanthropy, Door Opener, Corporate Social Investment, and The Jordan Award.
Each Legacy Award reflects a unique aspect of the Community Foundation’s mission, which is to increase legacy philanthropy throughout Chester County.
The Thanks For Caring Award spotlights neighborhood organizers who work at a grassroots level to promote local causes by giving time, talent and treasure, as well as recruiting others to support the causes. This year’s award winner, Alban, is often described as “a bright hardworking man who cares about his family, his clients and the community”.
Since coming to the U.S. in 2005, Alban has been determined to embrace all that America has to offer including learning to speak English and pursuing the ‘American Dream’. When asked to give his own explanation of the ‘American Dream’ Alban describes it as being willing and able to give back to the community.
With passion and drive, Alban has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the American and Hispanic communities through his professional career, acts of service and charitable giving.
Miguel serves his community by not only donating time, and capital, but also talent. Both professionally and voluntarily Miguel works to provide bilingual and bicultural services to the Hispanic population by educating them on how to shop for the best rates, avoid scams, deal with immigration and with his help he has empowered Latino business owners to give back to the community as well.
Since 2010, Miguel has served on the Board of Directors of La Comunidad Hispana, and recently joined the Board of Directors of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. He has served as a mentor for a young teen who immigrated to the US, happily gives workshops through Chester County SCORE on how to succeed as a Latino business owner, and not long ago began volunteering for the Garage Community & Youth Center.
Alban is truly breaking down cultural barriers and linking cultural and relational differences that will have a lasting impact on generations to come. Miguel’s philanthropic leadership is inspiring and motivating.
Alban and other award recipients will be honored at this year Chester County Community Foundation Legacy Awards Celebration & Annual Meeting on Monday, Nov. 3, at West Chester University’s Madeleine Wing Adler Theater.
Located in downtown West Chester, the Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter, so their philanthropy makes a difference now and forever. Since 1994, the Community Foundation has encouraged and inspired philanthropy by working with individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit organizations interested in long-term endowed legacy giving. The Community Foundation actively partners with donors who believe that positive change occurs through effective charitable giving.
The Community Foundation is entrusted with nearly 400 charitable funds. Each represents ordinary people who have made extraordinary commitments to our community. For more information, visitwww.chescocf.org or call (610) 696-8211.
