Mexico City, May 9, 2025With a journey through its history and the presentation of tangible results, the MAPFRE-Universidad Panamericana MAPFRE-UniversidadUniversidad Panamericana Community Center commemorated its 10th anniversaryreaffirming its commitment to the integral development of the town of Santa Fe in Mexico City.
The event, which brought together founders, collaborators, academics and beneficiaries, combined the celebration of achievements with the opening of the Insignia Life Dental Clinica new space that access to oral health care for vulnerable populations..
The foundations of a visionary project
During his speech, Dr. Santiago García Álvarez Dr. Santiago García Álvarez, rector of the Universidad Panamericana Mexico City campus, recalled the origins of the center: "It all started in 2013 with a conversation between Panamericana and the then global president of MAPFRE.. We identified the urgency of creating a comprehensive model that would address the multiple shortcomings of Santa Fe: health, education, justice and nutrition".
He also stressed that what makes the project unique is its multi-sectoral multisectoral approachwhere each area complements the other to generate systemic change.
On the other hand, Itzel Contreras CaamalDirector of Sustainability and Fundación MAPFRE Mexico, revealed a compelling fact: "Our initial agreement was for 50 years. Today, after a decade, we reaffirm that this is just the beginning.".
He also highlighted the institutional professionalism which has made it possible to overcome challenges, such as the pandemic, and to adapt to new needs, as demonstrated by the recently inaugurated dental office.
Impactful results: 29% improvement in quality of life
During the event the following was presented Impact Study 2022-2024carried out by researchers Marisol Velázquez Marisol Velázquez y Lorena Latorre of the Universidad Panamericana.
Using methodologies endorsed by the World Bank and the IDB, the study showed that the MAPFRE-UniversidadUniversidad Panamericana Community Center has increased the quality of life by 29% in the quality of life of beneficiaries, surpassing the global average for social programs (14%).
Key findings include:
- Capacity building: +62% impact, thanks to workshops that have benefited 15,902 people. 15,902 people.
- Health: +16%, with 48,254 medical care y 535,397 meals served in the children's dining room.
- Justice: 11,037 legal advisories.mainly in family violence and land tenure disputes.
- TechnologyTechnology: +8%, an area identified as an opportunity for expansion.
"This center is a success story not only because of its numbers, but also because it has managed to bring together dispersed services in one place, something unprecedented at a global level," said Dr. Velázquez.said Dr. Velázquez.
A new milestone: Insignia Life Dental Office
As part of the celebration, the ribbon was cut for the Dental Clinicfinanced by Insignia Life (part of the MAPFRE Group). This space, which is part of the center's Health Clinic, offers:
- Preventive and specialized care for children (including those with disabilities) and adults.
- Oral hygiene educationwith community workshops.
- Target: 1,000 consultations annually.in addition to the 42,000 medical care provided since 2015.
Ricardo MadridCEO of Insignia Life, explained: "For us, oral health is a right, not a privilege. This practice reflects our commitment to the wellbeing of the most vulnerable communities.".
While Daniela Ortizrepresentative of Universidad Panamericanas SIPASA Clinic, added that the new dental office: "It is an essential complement to our clinic, which already treats chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.".
Stories of transformation at MAPFRE-UP Community Center
During the 10th anniversary celebration event, a panel was held in which representatives from each area of the center shared their testimonies.
The Sandra Zamora GalvánDirector of the Universidad Panamericana's Bufete Jurídico Gratuito Socialdetailed how 70% of their cases are about family violencemany linked to labor informality in Santa Fe. "Community mediation has prevented conflicts from escalating to court".he noted.
Mariel de Pedroof Comedor Santa María, director of Institutional Relations of Comedor Santa María, shared: "Our children arrived hungry and today they dream of becoming engineers or doctors. This dining room not only feeds bodies, but dreams."highlighting how the program has transformed lives through nutrition and education.
While Yazmin Mendoza Reyes, Director of Social Commitment at the Universidad Panamericana Mexico City campus, highlighted: "Living to serve is not a nice phrase, it is an attitude that materializes in every project of this center. Here we have seen how 5,000 volunteersmany students, discover that true personal fulfillment comes from putting their talents at the service of others," he said.", emphasizing how the center has been a seedbed for social vocations.
While Mónica Torres Cárdenas, director of the MAPFRE-UP Community Center, shared: "Nine years ago I arrived as a volunteer teaching cooking; today Today, directing this project is the honor of my life. Every day we see how small actionsa medical consultation, a class or a plate of food, become real transformations for entire families", she said.She emphasized the cumulative power of sustained community work.
Looking to the future: a replicable model
Finally, the MBA Antonio Castro D'Franchis, director of University Life at Panamericana, closed the event with a reflection on the institutionalization of the project: "Three rectors have passed at Universidad Panamericana and three CEOs at MAPFRE, but the center continues to grow. That proves that it transcends people: it is designed to last 50 years or more.".
He emphasized that the MAPFRE-UniversidadUniversidad Panamericana Community Center model, which combines academic research, social intervention and business partnershipscould be replicated in other communities.
Learn more about the MAPFRE-UniversidadUniversidad Panamericana Community Center at: https://www.facebook.com/comunidadmapfreup/?locale=es_LA
