Former Douglas resident receives honors for the 40 under 40

On Dec. 13 Andrea Leon Foster, 37, daughter of Hector and the late Gloria Leon and Bertha and Frank Morales of Douglas, was presented an award for the 40 under 40.

The 40 under 40 is an award that recognizes young leaders in the community who are making an impact through their professional and charitable work. It is co-hosted by the Arizona Daily Star and the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,

Leon-Foster was among the 360 nominees reviewed by the THCC and Star for the 2012 awards.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Arizona and her Master of Education degree from Northern Arizona University.

“I am incredibly humbled that I was nominated by my colleagues,” Leon-Foster said. “I am very proud of the work we do here.”

In 2000 she joined the Sunnyside School District. There as a member of Department of Federal Programs she designed the McKinney-Vento program.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homeless children and youth as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.”

This program provides financial assistance to districts and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children in poverty to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Federal funds are currently allocated through formulas based primarily on census poverty estimates and the cost of education in each state.

Leon-Foster also has developed and implemented parent engagement programs from district parent council where over 200 families attend to parent technology summits.

“I’m very proud of her,” dad Hector Leon said. “She had accomplished so much.”

“My family, my two children, my husband, my dad, they are my everything,” Leon-Foster said.