OUR STORY.

Chito represents “HOPE.”

Sometimes all it takes is one person to believe in you, open a door, and remind you of your potential. That belief is the heart of Chito Foundation.

Chito Foundation was founded in 2021 by Veronica Alvarado,in honor of her late uncle, Mario Alcides Argueta, lovingly known as “Chito.”

Chito was our family’s anchor. He came to this country from El Salvador pursuing the American dream and impacted so many lives by sharing his gifts and entrepreneurial spirit with others. He not only created opportunities for his own family, but inspired and helped many others build businesses of their own, always willing to open doors for those trying to create a better future for their families.

Growing up in Los Angeles, I watched firsthand how deeply people respected him. He carried himself with resilience, generosity, pride, and heart. To me, he was more than an uncle. He was my first business mentor.

At twelve years old, he gave me my first job working alongside him at the Woodland Hills Swap Meet. It was there, surrounded by hard work, community, conversation, and hustle, that I first learned what entrepreneurship looked like. Through his love for soccer, culture, community, and business, he taught me to embrace my Salvadoran roots, find my voice, and believe in the power of creating opportunities for others.

Those experiences shaped who I am today.

Years later, my perspective deepened as a mother advocating for my son after watching him struggle for years with an undiagnosed learning disability. Seeing him lose confidence while being misunderstood instead of supported opened my eyes to how easily gifted youth can feel unseen when their strengths do not fit within traditional systems.

That experience became a turning point.

I realized how many kids, especially creatively gifted Latino youth, are filled with ideas, leadership, talent, and entrepreneurial potential but often lack the support, visibility, encouragement, and opportunities needed to truly thrive.

Chito Foundation was created for them.

Rooted in the communities of Los Angeles and inspired by the resilience and pride of Salvadoran culture, the foundation exists to help youth feel seen, believe in their potential, and develop the confidence, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit to create opportunity not only for themselves, but for their communities.

Today, Chito’s legacy lives on through a new generation learning to lead with purpose, create opportunity, and give back to the communities that shaped them.