Cariño Maldonado’s Journey of Giving Back and Building Community - "With You All the Way”
Meet Cariño Maldonado, a proud Arizonan with deep ties to her Hispanic heritage and a lifelong commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities. As the daughter of parents who faced many hardships and made numerous sacrifices to create a brighter future for their family, Cariño learned the importance of resilience, compassion, and hard work from an early age. Her parents, who both dropped out of high school and began working at young ages, taught themselves essential skills, instilled these values in her, shaping her life’s journey and inspiring her mission to give back to others.
Cariño’s path toward community building and construction wasn’t always clear. She once dreamed of pursuing a career in mental health or perhaps even becoming a professional singer, a talent she still treasures. As a dedicated student, Cariño earned a full scholarship to Arizona State University through a transformative program designed to support young Hispanic women aspiring to higher education. This program, which she joined in eighth grade, opened doors that showed her she could achieve far more than she had initially imagined. While she had aspirations in other fields, Cariño’s journey eventually led her into the construction industry, a path that allowed her to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Cariño’s first job in construction came when she was just 19 years old, working for Kovach, the same company where her father had worked as a maintenance mechanic and welder. While she hadn’t expected to find her passion in construction, she quickly discovered a fulfilling purpose in creating spaces that could transform lives and bring new vitality to communities. For her, construction became more than just a job; it was an opportunity to make a lasting impact and give back in ways that resonated deeply with her family values and personal mission.
In 2013, Cariño joined ICON Builders, a position that ultimately connected her to the San Diego Housing Federation (SDHF) and expanded her vision of how construction could serve the community. Through SDHF, Cariño found an organization devoted to empowering individuals, fostering career development, and connecting professionals committed to making housing more accessible and inclusive across San Diego. SDHF provided her with the resources, networks, and expertise she needed to make a broader impact—and introduced her to a supportive community of advocates who shared her passion.
Over the years, SDHF became more than just a professional network for Cariño; it became a place to learn, grow, and give back. Earlier this year, Cariño had the honor of singing the National Anthem to open SDHF’s annual Conference—a profound experience she describes as “magical.” It was a reunion of passionate people who, like her, believe in the power of housing to change lives. For Cariño, it was also a chance to connect with influential advocates like Secretary Moss and the inspiring Jesse Leon.
For Cariño, SDHF is more than just an organization—it’s a central, supportive community that enables her to expand her impact and help other families like her own. “SDHF,” she says, “is the nucleus that helps us all come together to create change,” a statement that speaks to the organization’s vital role in uniting leaders, supporters, and communities in pursuit of meaningful change.
With the Federation’s guidance and support, she’s been able to merge her professional work with her commitment to service, giving back to the community in ways she once only dreamed of.
Today, Cariño supports SDHF as an engaged member, donor, and volunteer, working to ensure that the Federation’s impact continues to grow. Her connection to SDHF has helped her build meaningful relationships, gain valuable knowledge, and amplify the impact of her work. She believes passionately in SDHF’s mission to create a more inclusive and supportive housing landscape, and she hopes others will join her in supporting this vital cause.
This year, SDHF’s “With You All the Way” campaign invites you to become part of this journey of service, resilience, and community building. By contributing to SDHF, you are empowering people like Cariño to make a difference in San Diego’s housing landscape and ensuring that our community can continue growing stronger together. Every donation supports SDHF’s ability to provide essential education, expand vital networks, and offer resources to those working tirelessly for change, helping to build a future where everyone has a place to call home.
Please consider donating to the San Diego Housing Federation today. With your support, we can continue to create a lasting impact, one family, one home, and one community at a time. Together, we’re building lasting change for all.
