McKinney Financial Advisor Earns National Recognition for Helping Hands for Single Moms Dallas
McKinney, Texas – September 21, 2021 – Ralph Ujano Jr., Founder & CEO of The Ujano Advisory Group in McKinney, won the 2021 Invest in Others Catalyst Award, one of four awards presented virtually the week of September 20 as part of the 15th Annual Invest in Others Awards. Ujano earned the honor for his charitable work with Helping Hands for Single Moms Dallas, which received a $50,000 donation from the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation.
The Invest in Others Awards program recognizes the charitable work of financial advisors in communities across the country and around the world. The Catalyst Award is presented annually to a financial advisor who has been an active stimulus for positive change and has displayed entrepreneurial vision and leadership to a nonprofit organization for at least three years. This may involve rejuvenating an organization from failing to thriving, or helping to launch a new nonprofit organization. Winners are selected based on their leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration, and impact on a nonprofit and the community it serves. Ujano was one of three national finalists for the award.
“When we can pass on hope through others in our communities, the community is forever changed for the better,” said Ralph Ujano Jr.
Helping Hands for Single Moms Dallas works to end generational poverty by assisting low-income single mom families as the mother attains a college education, financial independence and creates a positive family legacy. Research shows that when one parent has graduated college, a child is 70% more likely to graduate college and 80% less likely to live in poverty. Helping Hands for Single Moms Dallas turns these statistics into reality by providing a suite of services to meet the needs of single mom college student families, including: strategic support services, life skills training and a single mom community network for mentoring and support.
After volunteering with the Helping Hands for Single Moms Phoenix chapter for many years, Ujano started the Dallas chapter when he moved to the area in 2016. Ujano was critical in getting the organization off the ground, and ran operations, applied for grant opportunities, championed fundraising and connected young college moms with various community resources. He currently serves in a volunteer capacity as the organization’s part-time Executive Director. Ujano believes in the transformative role education can play in breaking the cycle of generational poverty. Thanks to Ujano’s energy and vision, Helping Hands for Single Moms Dallas boasts impressive outcomes – near 80% of participants have graduated college and typical earnings for mom graduates exceed $60,000 annually.
“Ralph Ujano Jr. saw an opportunity to end generational poverty, and started a nonprofit to tackle the issue head-on through education and resources for single mom college student families. Through his ongoing leadership and service, Ujano has served as a catalyst for change affecting hundreds of women and children today, with countless impact into the future,” said Invest in Others.
About The Ujano Advisory Group LLC
Ralph Ujano Jr, is the Founder & CEO of The Ujano Advisory Group LLC, a virtual family office delivering comprehensive multigenerational wealth planning and life management services to families and organizations nationwide.
About Helping Hands for Single Moms Dallas
The mission of Helping Hands for Single Moms Dallas is ending generational poverty by assisting low-income single mom families while the mother attains a college education, gains financial independence, and creates a positive family legacy. Our ultimate goal is to expand the organization nationally to serve thousands of single mom college student families.
About the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation
The inspiration for the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation came directly from the financial advisors who invest in others by giving back to their communities with overwhelming generosity and dedication. Since its founding in 2006, Invest in Others has amplified these efforts by providing a platform for advisors and other financial professionals to increase awareness, visibility, and funding to their favorite nonprofits. Over the past 15 years, IiO has given more than $3 million to 300+ charities across a variety of causes, including health and wellness, education and youth programs, arts and culture, hunger and poverty prevention, military and veterans and more. For more information, visit investinothers.org or follow Invest in Others on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
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Media Contacts:
Ralph Ujano Jr, Founder & Volunteer CEO
Helping Hands for Single Moms Dallas
ralph.ujano@helpinghandsforsinglemoms.org | 480.239.3586
Kaileen Cote, Assistant Director of Marketing
Invest in Others Charitable Foundation
kaileen.cote@investinothers.org | 978.761.7883