When Christine and Robert Leyva moved from San Antonio to Kansas City in 2013, they looked forward to immersing themselves in a new culture—but not to find themselves moving in during a spring snowstorm. Their new neighborhood seemed abandoned as neighbors retreated from the snow and cold.

Once the weather warmed, the community came to life, welcoming the Leyvas with fish frys, barbecues, and holiday parties. Inspired to contribute, the Leyvas decided to bring a taste of San Antonio to KC.

The following year, they rented a margarita machine and rolled it onto their driveway, determined to bring some Leyva cheer to their neighborhood. That small gesture blossomed into “Fiesta de Leyva,” a colorful, lively block party filled with food, music, and games that has become a widely-anticipated neighborhood tradition.

In the beginning, Christine and Robert cooked everything themselves—Christine prepared the rice and beans, and Robert made the fajitas. As the event gained popularity, they upgraded to food trucks and live musicians. They continued introducing new elements to keep things fun and exciting—an inspired limited beer release, piñatas, and bouncy houses.

“By 2017, we had over 100 people coming,” said Christine. “At that point, we realized we could be more charitable, and that’s when we thought of Cornerstones of Care.”

The first year, they wrote a $200 check to Cornerstones of Care and collected in-kind summer donations, encouraging guests to contribute however they could. The 2024 event drew nearly 200 people, and they donated over $4,000.

But the Leyvas’ generosity doesn’t end there.

Every fall, they host a neighborhood winter clothing swap. Christine and her sons collect coats from people’s porches and deliver them to the organization. Friends and family bring items they no longer need and take what they want as their children grow. The remaining items are donated to Cornerstones of Care.

In winter, they also participate in the Sponsor-A-Youth program, shopping for holiday gifts for children in foster care. To make it easier for others to get involved, Christine often accepts monetary donations and offers to shop on their behalf. They’ve even inspired neighborhood youth sports teams to sponsor together!

“I’m always amazed by people who say, ‘Thank you for doing this,’ as they donate,” said Robert. “Sometimes I feel like we ask a lot, but we remind ourselves that people really want to help and just need an opportunity.”

The decision to support Cornerstones of Care came after much research and thought. Before moving to Kansas City, the Leyvas were involved with The Children’s Shelter in San Antonio and were looking for a similar organization, specifically with a mission focused on foster youth. They gravitated towards Cornerstones of Care for their commitment to supporting youth transitioning out of the foster system.

Christine’s passion for foster care began during her childhood. Her aunt and uncle fostered teenage boys, eventually adopting five children themselves. When she began volunteering at The Children’s Shelter, she and Robert began to seriously consider the possibility of fostering.

“We thought it would be a good way to make a difference,” said Robert. “When a child has to endure trauma and might not have the opportunity to reach their full potential, the odds are stacked against them. But when you’re able to create a loving and supportive home, you’re already giving them a far better chance than they would have had otherwise.”

In 2010, the Leyvas fostered to adopt their youngest son. When deciding whether to adopt, they received advice from The Children’s Shelter that has stuck with them: do not take on more than you can handle.

“There are a lot of people who adopt multiple children and others who adopt children with medium to severe disabilities and trauma,” said Robert. “We thought, ‘We would love to do our best with one child.’”

Receiving the Spirit Award is an honor for Christine and Robert, and they see it as an opportunity to raise awareness of the need for foster care and the work that Cornerstones of Care is doing.

“It’s another way to share the message that anybody can do it,” said Christine. “Anybody can offer a little effort; anybody can give a little time. Small things can make a big impact.”

More recently, Christine has expanded her involvement to include Cornerstones of Care board and council positions. She joined the events council in 2019 and became a member of the Foundation Board in 2023. After completing her term, she would like to transition to the Governing Board.

Like Fiesta de Leyva, both Christine and Robert report coming from humble beginnings and are passionate about using what they have to give back. Their commitment to the community also extends to other organizations, like Catholic Charities, Fore the Kids, and Traveling Turkeys.

Over the years, Robert has developed a passion for investing in youth by mentoring through the Boy Scouts of America and coaching basketball, soccer, and football.

“I like focusing on the everyday kids who are playing just for fun,” said Robert. “I like keeping them involved without the pressure of being on a club team. It’s just another way to help develop children and create better adults.”

This is not unlike Robert’s grandfather, who was committed to his home community in El Paso. Robert O. Leyva was a coach and educator and continued to work in the basketball gym and community center well into his 70s. One of the family’s proudest moments was when his grandfather received the “Conquistador Award” from the city of El Paso. The award is the city’s highest honor for contributions to the community and is a symbol of appreciation bestowed upon pillars of El Paso who have demonstrated commitment to the region through their work.

“You do so much for people, but you don’t do it for the recognition,” said Robert. “When he got recognized, that was a really proud moment for us.”

With the same humble spirit, Christine and Robert will accept the Spirit Award in November, hoping that their actions, however small, will make a mighty impact on youth in foster care, one child at a time.