Dr. Juan Sánchez grew up in a poor barrio in a South Texas border town, where life was full of challenges. Although many of his peers dropped out of school or ended up in the juvenile and criminal justice systems, a young Dr. Sánchez resolved to make something different out of his life. With little idea of what that would be, he set out to get an education, knowing this was his way out of the barrio.

His inner drive and personal vision took Dr. Sánchez to San Antonio, Seattle and ultimately Cambridge, Massachusetts where he was among the first Chicanos to receive his doctorate from the School of Education at Harvard University. He took these experiences and knowledge back to South Texas with the intent of giving back to his community. As the director of Esperanza Home, a residential treatment center for youth, Dr. Sánchez helped many young boys and girls set a new course for their future. With an emphasis on providing new experiences for these young people and placing a high value on education, many found their time at Esperanza life changing.

During these years, Dr. Sánchez got a first hand look at how the juvenile justice system worked and was not satisfied with the limited options available to young people. He also realized that, while most of the young people involved in the system were poor kids of color, there were very few professionals in decision making positions who were either Latino or African-American. With a fundamental belief that young people are best served in their communities with culturally competent services, Southwest Key Programs was born in 1987 as the Texas Key Program.

Today in its 20th year of operation, Southwest Key has grown to become one of the country's largest care providers for unaccompanied immigrant children and juvenile justice system-involved youth. With over 45 programs in seven states across the nation, Southwest Key positively impacts the lives of thousands each day. Now the fourth largest nonprofit in Austin, Southwest Key is celebrating the grand opening of the new East Austin Community Center. The multi-use public facility is home to the Boys & Girls Club, Southwest Key Café del Sol, a technology center, 150-seat amphitheater, and a variety of free educational, arts and workforce development initiatives for youth and adults.

Through his commitment to providing culturally relevant services delivered by persons knowledgeable of cultural and ethnic differences, Dr. Sánchez has built one of the most diverse national nonprofits in the country, where 93% of Southwest Key’s 1000 employees are people of color who represent the program participants.