But when Valadez, a newer chorus member whom you’ve met in a previous post, let BGMC know that he likely would not be able to participate in BGMC’s tour of South Africa because he couldn’t take days off at the end of the school year, BGMC Executive Director Craig Coogan had an idea. Valadez should explain to his superiors in Waltham public schools the social, cultural, and philanthropic missions for the trip as well as the professional development benefits he would experience.
Valadez thought it was worth a try. So Coogan wrote a letter on Valadez’s behalf stating BGMC’s social justice mission and its role as cultural ambassador. He identified the South African organizations and programs that would be receiving BGMC’s tour proceeds and highlighted the “once in a lifetime professional development opportunity” for Valadez that will benefit his students and the Waltham school district for years to come.
Valadez sent the letter to his department head and his union president. From there it went up to the assistant superintendent of schools, the superintendent and the school district’s human resources director.
Then he waited.
When he finally heard back, he was floored by the response. “All of these different people were so on board and were so supportive of not only the chorus, but the mission of the chorus,” said Valadez.
When he sat down and talked with them about the trip, he immediately saw that they “understood how this [tour] is different” from a vacation or group tour of another country. They understood the importance of the trip and BGMC’s mission. They also understood how it would impact Valadez’s growth as a teacher.
Since then, Valadez has been overwhelmed by the support he’s received from his colleagues, former students, and other members of the Waltham school community. And the support has not just been exclamations of excitement and approval for the days off. It’s been financial.
In order to participate on the tour, Chorus members pay a $4,900 participation fee that covers travel costs and production costs for the five concerts. Ticket sales from each concert then benefit local organizations working with LGBT refugees, youth, and those living with HIV.
Valadez, along with just over half of Chorus members, qualified for a financial scholarship through BGMC’s Membership Assistance Program, which enables chorus members who otherwise could not afford to pay their travel and other costs associated with the tour to participate. As a scholarship recipient he is required to raise a certain percentage of tour costs through personal fundraising on the Crowdrise platform.
Valadez wasn’t just apprehensive about asking for permission to miss the end of school to go on the tour. He was equally nervous about asking people for money. As was the case with his superiors at Waltham public schools, he need not have worried so much. He met his goal through mostly small dollar contributions from a broad array of friends, family, old college classmates, childhood pals, and the parents of a former student from six years ago.
“Seeing them come out and believe in this cause and say here’s what I can give because I feel that this is important and you see that they feel inspired by what you’re doing and that’s really encouraging,” said Valadez.
Valadez got emotional each time he took his thank you cards to the mailbox, knowing that each envelope represented the different people in his life who love and believe in him enough to want to see him participate in “this incredible, life-changing experience.”
“These people have all taken time to contribute a little, or whatever they can, and it really does show me how many people still believe in this kind of good, and who believe in this kind of inspirational change that the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus can bring about.”