Mano a Mano will be hosting a memorial on February 26th for our Co-Founder Joan Velásquez, who sadly passed away in early December 2024. We will be gathering with our local Mano a Mano community to share food, friendship, and memories of Joan – a truly remarkable person who impacted so many people over her lifetime. A more formal celebration of life will be held at a later date (Spring 2025) in St. Paul, Minnesota at Unity Church.

Memorial Details for February 26th

• WHAT: Mano a Mano Memorial gathering for our Co-Founder Joan Velásquez
• WHEN: Wednesday, February 26th from 11am-1pm CST
• WHERE: Mano a Mano office/warehouse, 925 Pierce Butler Route, St. Paul, MN 55104
• RSVP: This is an informal gathering with potluck-style food and drinks, and please stop by at any time for any amount of time between 11am-1pm that works. You are welcome to bring a light dish (cookies/dessert, hors d’oeuvres, drinks) for something to share if you’d like. Though not required, an RSVP to [email protected] with your number of people planning to attend and if you plan to bring something to share is appreciated so we can have a general idea of what to expect.

Donations in Memory of Joan

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mano a Mano International Partners “in memory of Joan Velásquez” online (https://manoamano.org/donate/) or mailed to the Mano a Mano address (925 Pierce Butler Route, St. Paul, MN 55104). (Shared on behalf of Joan’s husband and Mano a Mano Co-Founder Segundo Velásquez.)

Thank You

Thanks to everyone for your many condolences, kind words, memorial donations, and best wishes over these difficult months. You are welcome to continue to share condolences, stories, and memories of Joan by commenting on this page, sending cards to the Mano a Mano office (925 Pierce Butler Route, St. Paul, MN 55104), or emailing [email protected]. We will be sharing some memories at the memorial on February 26th; all cards, emails, comments are shared with Segundo.