The inception of the Tepeyac Mission took place during a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City in 1996. Through prayer and conversation, led by Jaime Zapata, a group of those on the pilgrimage felt called to create an organization to support immigrant families moving into Palm Beach County. The group began as a social outreach group with the name of “Lazos de Unión” (Ropes of Union). At that time, the support was provided by way of one family becoming, in essence, “godparents” to a newly arrived family and helping them establish themselves at home, work and in education. The group saw repeated concerns with regards to health and legal issues within the newly arrived families. Thus, the group worked to establish partnerships with professionals who would provide pro-bono medical and legal services to these families.

In 2001, Tepeyac Mission, Inc, under the direction of our founder Jaime Zapata, was formally established as a non-profit organization, and for several years, its mission was to assist immigrant families and communities “Here and There”. The aim was to help immigrants here not only succeed and eventually give back to Tepeyac Mission, but to also give back to their home countries.

Since 2010, Tepeyac Mission realigned its purpose and mission to solely focus its efforts to residents of Palm Beach County, as the immigrant community in this area significantly increased, and with it an increased need for basic needs- food, shelter, employment, mental and medical wellness, education, and transportation. Additionally, with the ever changing immigration policies, more and more immigrants faced a need for legal guidance, and the Tepeyac Mission continued to partner with legal professionals to act as a liaison to ensure access to legal services. Further, Tepeyac Mission has continued to foster community partnerships with professionals and other agencies in order to meet the needs of those we seek to serve and help.