By Melanie Slone
Growing up, Adolfo Ventura benefitted from the guidance of counselors and afterschool programs, where he learned to believe in himself and picked up leadership skills. “I think that’s where my understanding and the love to serve my community came from,” he says.
These programs, like the ones MAAC offers, “were offered through nonprofit organizations, so I was a beneficiary of what nonprofits contribute and what they bring into the community.”
His experience would shape who he has become today—the interim President and Chief Executive Officer of MAAC Project.
First-generation Milestones
Adolfo and his two siblings grew up in Orange County, the children of Mexican immigrants. “Most immigrants come looking for a better life and to build that family in a future that could open doors for their children,” he says.
Growing up, he spent some time in Mexico. “I come from working-class folks,” he says. “There were a lot of sacrifices that my family did, that I did, to ensure that I was able to stay true to my goal, which was, receive an education.”
Adolfo was the first in his family to graduate high school, attend undergraduate school, graduate from college, and receive a graduate degree.
He knew he wanted to serve his community. “I’ve always been very aware of community and community needs and the role that I wanted to play in making a difference in my community.”
To him, that meant working in the nonprofit sector. Adolfo got his master’s in nonprofit leadership and management from University of San Diego after completing his undergraduate studies at UC Berkely.
Work at MAAC
Adolfo Ventura started as a resident services coordinator based at one of MAAC’s affordable housing sites. There, he helped provide resources not only to residents that were part of the project but also to the overall community.
“My job was to interact with our residents in the community and listen to them and see what kind of needs were there…be able to help guide especially our youth in those properties and parents with any questions they might have and connect them to resources.”
He later moved up in MAAC, holding positions in almost every department, including assistant director, director at the organization level, COO, a VP, a chief programming officer, and now, interim president and CEO.
Latino Leadership
As a Latino in a leadership role, Adolfo says he has been in situations where there have been very few people with his background. “It makes me wonder,” he says, “do I belong in spaces like this?”
These experiences made him understand the importance of contributing. “Not only do I belong in these spaces, but I contribute to the spaces, and there should be more folks like me in spaces like this.”
The MAAC Experience
MAAC responds to community needs, says Adolfo. “Our commitment is to those individual families and communities we serve in the best way that we can, whether it’s through our own services, through our advocacy, through our many programs, or through making a connection to another program or an organization that can serve them if we don’t have an answer for them.”
MAAC works with affiliates to develop leadership development, program knowledge, advocacy resources, peer learning, and funding opportunities. These connections also help the organization respond to federal policies that affect the Head Start or affordable housing programs.
“For more than 60 years, MAAC has provided services in early education, housing, workforce development, health, financial empowerment, and youth leadership and development,” says Adolfo.
Head Start and Early Education
Adolfo points to the research that shows the first few years are fundamental to a child’s development. MAAC’s largest education program is the Child Development Program (CDP) for preschoolers, including Head Start and Early Head Start. “Preschool early on helps children build their language. It helps them with early literacy, problem solving, social skills, motor skills, relationship building,” he says.
Also, having a child in a preschool program allows educators to identify any possible developmental, health, or physical challenges, such as learning disabilities, vision or hearing problems, or other health-related issues. “When you have a teacher that’s interacting with the child in their own environment early on, it allows the educator to make those observations in early detection, which allows them to make a formal referral. That child is going to be far more successful.”
All children can take advantage of preschool programs to build skill sets that prepare them for success throughout their entire lives. MAAC’s program goes beyond the classroom, he says. Besides early detection of developmental or health issues, the program brings in another element—engagement with the entire family. “We do dental screenings, basic medical screenings; children are fed here within our program.” There are mental health resources available.
“I think of preschool as the beginning of an economic mobility strategy not just for the child but for the family overall. We bundle all these different services,” he says.
MAAC programs recognize the importance parents have in their children’s lives. “Our program is designed to ensure that parents understand that they are their child’s first and most important educator.”
Affordable Housing and Services
MAAC has developed about 1200 affordable housing units and has more projects in the pipeline. They also provide affordable rentals for families and for seniors.
Each affordable housing site has what MAAC calls a STEP center (which stands for Striving Towards Economic Prosperity). “We have staff working not only with our residents of our affordable housing side but with the community at large, focusing on providing resources, income supports, assistance with any kind of application, assistance with food,” says Adolfo. “We run food banks out of those sites. We have workforce development programs.”
During tax season, MAAC runs the volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) program, which provides essential tax filing services at no cost to those that qualify, he says. In 2025, this program brought back about $4.3 million to communities in San Diego as earned income tax credit.
Still, “there’s a housing shortage in San Diego not only for affordable home ownership or for first-time home buyers but also for affordable rentals,” he tells us. “We know how important it is to be able to meet that need, and we realize that our housing, along with all the other affordable housing in San Diego, is not enough.”
Although wait lists for housing programs may be long, families should still apply.
Tips for Others
Adolfo tells us that young people can get ahead by taking the task they have now and doing it well. “Whatever task we have in front of us, whatever we’ve committed to, let’s be dependable, let’s ask questions, let’s learn from that organization or company,” no matter what the job may be.
“Some of the most important lessons come from responsibilities and from tasks that we’re not as comfortable with…I think it’s okay for folks to ask questions.” He notes that asking questions has helped him develop skills, solve problems, work with people, and understand the consequences of his decisions. “We have to give it 100%, and when we don’t know something, we need to ask… figure out what we need to be better at, and that’s what leads to growth.”
He emphasizes the importance of mentorship. “A mentor will advise you.” Then, find a sponsor. “A sponsor is that person that’s willing to put your name out there based on their own reputation; you earned that right,” he says.
He reminds youth that “Leadership starts with how we treat people. I think it’s important that we are seen as individuals that can keep our word and that are reliable.”
Education is another must, he says. “Working and going to community college is perfectly fine; that’s a path that could be very successful for many of our students.” He urges others not to give up. “Don’t lose sight of the goals; work towards them,” says Adolfo Ventura.
To get information or apply for programs:
Visit https://maacproject.org/
Call (619) 426-3595
Email info@MAACproject.org
