Christopher Lara, November 20, 2015

Fredrick Julian Gonzalez and the Ric Gonzalez Memorial Foundation

                Individuals who possess traits that progress communities lead by having strong involvement and innovative mindsets. Back in the 70’s, a spark created through the union of Ric Gonzalez and his father would provide the starting mechanism to build a family owned company- Gonzalez Design Engineering Company (GDEC)- which would lead to his charitable giving. The charities he supported would give to families in need, and even financially supplement students with scholarships to allow them a gateway to succeed in life.

                As a business man, Ric Gonzalez led his company with strong connections to his customers and employees. Gonzalez Design Engineering knew that supporting the Southwest Detroit area would provide beneficial aspects, from basic financial strategies to helping a community that needed jobs, so GDEC joined the Hispanic Manufacturing Center (HMC). The ‘Empowerment Zone’ this family created in Detroit allowed for the Hispanic community to flourish by using the labor force ready to work. People who wanted to work, but couldn’t due to lower education could have a fresh start at one of the three companies in the HMC. Mexicantown, which is located in Southwest Detroit, wouldn’t have the families is does without the employer to employee relationship Ric Gonzalez Engineering help establish.

                This newfound success led to Ric Gonzalez donating to a multitude of charities needing help. One of which was created through his unfortunate death in 2004. The Ric Gonzalez Memorial Foundation has given over 255 thousand dollars to 79 recipients over the last decade. This promotes the key that allows students to succeed- financial aid in education. Although I don’t know how others will use their scholarship money, I know what I’m going to do in order to secure my success. I will be attending a four year college/ university in the fall of 2016, and I will be using the money on my tuition. This will allow me to focus more on my classes, and not how I’m going to pay for a big chunk of them. In return, I will become a certified Nurse Practitioner and return to Detroit to help families in lower income households.

                Ric Gonzalez lived a life of healthy relations with whom he worked with and what he worked on, but some of the greatest accomplishments will come though the plethora of scholarships awarded through the Ric Gonzalez Memorial Foundation. I speak on behalf of the students who needed this push into the right direction in saying, “Thank You Fredrick Julian Gonzalez and the Gonzalez Family.”