BRINGING HOPE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE

Featuring Gus Aguirre

20 for 20 and Journey Christian Church

May 2023

Gus Aguirre moved to the United States from Argentina with his family when he was 15. Now living in Evans Colorado, he started a non-profit called 20for20 and serves as the worship minister at Journey Christian Church in Greeley. His story and his work to address injustice is not only influenced by his experiences but also his family’s legacy and work in Argentina to make a difference in their community. 

America Mazzuchini, Gus’s grandmother, ran a soup kitchen for children in Argentina for roughly 25 years. Gus Aguirre created 20for20 with a vision and desire to continue his grandmother’s legacy. 20for20 feeds and provides educational assistance to children in Argentina and Guatemala. The work’s goal is to help equip each child to finish school and pursue a brighter future. 

Each child in the program receives one meal a day as well as a food box for the weekend. There are presently 35 kids in the program in Argentina and 3 kids in the Guatemala program which is more recently started. Tudors help kids three times a week through the education program.  In addition, they work to help single moms earn their High School equivalency degrees so they can better care for their family. Their goal is to break the cycle of poverty through education. 

Gus Aguirre and his work through 20for20 was brought to Guatemala through a partnership with Top of the Lake Coffee. He was introduced to women of Casa Flor Ixcaco Women’s Cooperative. After sharing about what 20for20 was doing in Argentina, the women were interested in starting a program in their village San Juan la Laguna. While plans were delayed due to COVID-19, 20for20 was able to help the community through assistance to build a chicken coup for Casa Flor which helped with community development projects. 

As a result of this ministry, moms have graduated from the program and received a good job that has allowed them to provide for their families. Training and support have allowed families to thrive in their own communities. And, starting in May 2023, Gus will also become a partner of Top of the Lake Coffee – providing great coffee for the greater good in communities of Guatemala and around the world. 

In addition to his work in Argentina and Guatemala, Gus Aguirre serves his community as the worship minister at Journey Christian Church in Greeley. He has served in this capacity since 2018.

A NON-TRADITIONAL PATH TO BECOMING A COLORADO FAVORITE

Featuring Wendy Woo, Singer, Songwriter, Performer

May 2023

Wendy Woo is well known in Colorado and is considered one of Colorado’s favorite musicians. Her path to music is not considered traditional, but has led to her recording more than 200 original songs, creating a corporation (WooMusic, Inc.), recording and producing her own music, and serving as her own booking, publicity and publishing agent. She has performed in top venues across the country including the Fox Theater and Red Rocks in Colorado, the Bitter End and the Living Room in New York, the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Sweetwater in Mill Valley, and Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, Georgia. Her music and her approach to her career has been an inspiration to other Colorado female singers and songwriters. 

Her parents were founding faculty members of the Naropa University in Boulder Colorado and the resulting interactions she had with individuals associated with her parents influenced her growth into a singer and songwriter. Her father was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States in 1964 to attend New York University. Her Grandfather Cornelio Faigao was a famous Filipino poet, writer, and educator.  

Wendy learned to play the guitar and began writing songs, eventually performing in songwriting circles. Later, she attended the University of New Mexico and the University of Colorado, studying musical genres and theory and composition. Her first job in the music industry was at Boulder’s Fox Theatre where she learned the skills of performing, self promotion, booking and publishing. Eventually she would open for headliners such as Counting Crows and Michael Franti. She has also shared the stage with performers such as The Fray, Counting Crows, and Brad Paisley. 

Today, Wendy’s career has been recognized throughout Colorado. She has been named Westword Magazine’s Music Awards as “Singer/Songwriter of the year” five times which resulted in her induction into Westword’s Hall of Fame. She has been recognized as one of the best singers and songwriters in Northern Colorado. She is known for her energetic personality, her spirited songwriting, and her musical skills. Wendy performs solo or with The Wendy Woo Band, a six piece band. 

In addition to her work as a musician, Wendy Woo has contributed to the work of G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice by serving as a featured panelist and musician at our 2023 Women Empowering Women Justice and Leadership Forum and upcoming May Benefit & Style Show.