MANA de Imperial Valley Announces 2026 Las Primeras Honorees
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MANA de Imperial Valley has announced the three women who will be recognized during its 2026 Las Primeras Gala, honoring community members for their leadership and contributions to Imperial Valley.
The organization named Maria Bastidas, Helen Palomino and Caroline Treadway Jaime as this year’s Las Primeras honorees. The annual gala is scheduled for Sept. 18 at the Old Eucalyptus Schoolhouse in El Centro and serves as the nonprofit’s primary fundraiser for scholarships awarded to local students.
According to MANA de Imperial Valley, the event recognizes women whose work has had a lasting impact on the community through leadership, service and advocacy.
Bastidas is being recognized for more than 25 years of service to women, children and families through organizations including Not Forgotten Ministries, Missions for Youth, Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Imperial Valley Life Center and Called to Peace Ministries. MANA said her work has focused on supporting survivors, mentoring youth and assisting families throughout Imperial Valley.
Palomino, chief executive officer of the Cancer Resource Center of the Desert, is being honored for her contributions to health care and patient advocacy. A licensed clinical social worker, she has worked to expand patient navigation services, strengthen partnerships among health care providers, and improve access to cancer support services for Imperial Valley residents.
Jaime is being recognized for more than four decades in education. A first-generation college graduate who received scholarships from MANA de Imperial Valley and Soroptimist International of El Centro, she spent her career promoting bilingual education, literacy and educational opportunities for students. Her legacy also includes the Caroline Treadway Jaime Dream It, Be It Educational Award, established in her honor to support future generations of young women pursuing higher education.
Lupita Castro, president of MANA de Imperial Valley, said the Las Primeras program celebrates women whose leadership and service have strengthened the community while supporting future generations through scholarships and educational opportunities.
“Maria, Helen and Caroline each embody the values of MANA through their unwavering commitment to education, advocacy, health care and empowering others,” Castro said in a statement.
Viridiana Rosales-Trujillo and Nancy Salcedo, co-chairs of the 2026 Las Primeras Gala, said the honorees have dedicated their lives to serving others through advocacy, education, health care and community service.
“Leadership is measured not only by personal achievement, but by the lives we touch and the opportunities we create for others,” they said in a joint statement.
Founded in 1979, MANA de Imperial Valley said it has awarded more than $331,000 in scholarships to local students. Proceeds from the annual gala support the organization’s scholarship program and leadership development initiatives.
Tickets, sponsorship opportunities and program advertising are available through MANA de Imperial Valley. The organization said proceeds from the event will support scholarships, leadership programs and community service initiatives for students throughout Imperial Valley.
