[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ background_color=”#1f1f1f” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” transparent_background=”on” collapsed=”off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Foundation” text_orientation=”center” button_one_url=”https://donorbox.org/alabarderofundation” background_overlay_color=”rgba(31,31,31,0.85)” subhead_font_color=”#bebebe” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ title_font=”Playfair Display||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_font_size=”72px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_font=”Montserrat||||” content_text_color=”#bfbfbf” content_font_size=”19px” content_line_height=”1.8em” subhead_font=”Montserrat||||” subhead_text_color=”#bebebe” subhead_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https://alabardero.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Perdro-sonriendo-scaled.jpg” custom_padding=”5%||5%|” animation_style=”zoom” animation_duration=”1500ms” animation_intensity_zoom=”4%” title_text_align_tablet=”” title_text_align_phone=”” title_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” title_font_size_phone=”40px” title_line_height_last_edited=”off|desktop” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Our Story” _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_position=”top_left” custom_padding=”17px|0px|1px|2px||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.11″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][et_pb_image src=”https://alabardero.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Alabardero-foundation-.png” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ max_width=”50%” max_width_tablet=”75%” max_width_phone=”75%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0px|||0px||”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][et_pb_image src=”https://alabardero.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Lezama-horizontal.png” url=”https://www.grupolezama.es/” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ max_width_tablet=”50%” max_width_phone=”50%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][et_pb_image src=”https://alabardero.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Taberna-del-Alabardero-Washington-PNG.png” url=”https://alabardero.com/” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”50%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”7px||0px|||”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″ width=”100%” max_height=”1000px” custom_margin=”|auto|-357px|auto||”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][et_pb_image src=”https://alabardero.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/QR-code-Alabardero-foundation.png” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.0.11″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.11″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_font_size=”55px” header_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”48px”]
Alabardero Foundation
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Help us fight food insecurity and create job opportunities through culinary training.
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Help us fight food insecurity and create job opportunities through culinary training.
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Help us fight food insecurity and create job opportunities through culinary training.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://donorbox.org/alabarderofoundation” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Donate now” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ hover_enabled=”0″ custom_button=”on”][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|652px||auto||”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.11″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.11″ header_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”48px” custom_margin=”||-2px|||”]
Our Story
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The Alabardero Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, recently established to assist individuals within the DMV area. Our goal is to foster economic development by mitigating food insecurity, providing skills-based training, and offering cultural immersion experiences to accelerate employment opportunities within the restaurant and hospitality sector. We are inspired by the successful model of Grupo Lezama in Spain. Grupo Lezama is a respected social enterprise that operates two prominent culinary and hospitality schools and numerous restaurants with a similar mission. The Alabardero Foundation is now implementing this proven approach in the United States.
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Economic Development
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At the Alabardero Foundation, we work to equip individuals with the skills and support they need to thrive in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Our mission is to transform the lives of individuals by addressing food insecurity and enhancing job readiness through culturally immersive training experiences. Through hands-on culinary training, job readiness programs, and cultural exchange opportunities, we create pathways to employment and economic mobility. By providing a unique and immersive cultural experience, we empower participants to build stable careers, achieve financial independence, and make an impact in their communities.
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Bridging Gaps
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Feeding America reported that over 74,000 individuals in Washington D.C. experienced food insecurity, including thousands of children and seniors. In another recent report, the National Restaurant Association, said that 62% of restaurants struggle to fill job openings at all levels. The Alabardero Foundation addresses these challenges through culturally immersive training, strategic partnerships with local organizations, and direct food assistance programs. Beyond education, we provide real-world opportunities that cultivate self-sufficiency and economic independence.
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Lasting Impact
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We fund our mission through innovative corporate sponsorships and nonprofit collaborations. We are aiming for sustainable solutions to reduce reliance on donations, like social enterprises, while maximizing impact. Our vision includes developing graduate-operated small businesses, such as food trucks and catering services, to expand workforce development and affordable meal distribution. We invite industry leaders, donors, and other groups to partner with us, ensuring participants gain the tools to thrive.
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Our Leadership
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Board of Directors: Gloria Rodriguez, Chair, Angela Franco, Debbie Durham, James Vella, Joaquin Martinez, John C. Bishop, Juan Carlos Cantero, Juana Pacheco, Luis Fernando Esteban, Ramon Pereiras, and Sonia Gutierrez.
Executive Director: Joe Avila
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“Thank you for considering our mission and for your support in making a lasting impact with the Alabardero Foundation!”
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Contact
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_team_member name=”Joe Avila” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ header_level=”h3″ header_font_size=”32px” body_font_size=”19px” text_orientation=”center” animation_style=”fade” text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” background_layout_last_edited=”off|desktop” border_width_all_image=”0px”]
[/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Rosemarie Amaya” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ header_level=”h3″ header_font_size=”32px” body_font_size=”19px” text_orientation=”center” animation_style=”fade” text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” background_layout_last_edited=”off|desktop” border_width_all_image=”0px”]
alabarderofoundation@alabardero.com
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Alabardero Foundation is part of Grupo Lezama, which has operated in Spain since 1974. Established in Madrid, Grupo Lezama manages other fine dining establishments in Marbella, Seville, Malaga, and Basque Country, as well as a prestigious culinary school in Seville.
Click here for more information about Grupo Lezama
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