Natividad Nati Fuentes

Natividad “Nati” Fuentes went home to be with the Lord on July 3, 2024. Nati was born and raised in Riverside’s Eastside to Porfirio & Otilia Fuentes. She was the fourth daughter out of seven girls and three boys that grew up in the home her father built. Growing up in a traditional Mexican family, Nati learned very young that educating herself and volunteering in her community would lead her to a life of service in helping others to better themselves, especially in the Hispanic communities. As a Riverside native, Nati graduated from Poly High school, and attended classes at Riverside Community college. Always room to improve, she took the time in her later years to return to college and earn her bachelor’s degree from California Baptist University, proving it’s never too late to get more education. From 1956 to 1972 Nati began a career that allowed her to help families in the community with childcare at the Busy Bee Nursery school and later become a Neighborhood worker for the Office of Economic Opportunities. Nati work between the community and government agencies helped parents better understand school policies and how to navigate the bilingual programs. In 1980 Nati found her calling and began a 26-year career in the childcare industry, joining the Concilio for the Spanish Speaking of the Inland Empire. She became a strong advocate for the Hispanic community, which paved the way to her next role as Lead teacher, then Interim Director and later the Executive Director of Centro de Ninos, Casa Blanca and Via de Ninos childcare centers. She strived to not only help the kids, but also help the parents who needed an extra hand as they started in the work force or went back to school. Nati’s accomplishments throughout her career were many, the city recognized this native-born Hispanic Woman for her countless contributions to the Riverside Community. She was strong and mighty, her fierce personality, as well as her knowledge and leadership earned her the respect of her peers and several awards for her dedication and service to the city she loved. Nati was honored and received the following awards, just to name a few: LULAC, the Federation Nacional de Charros, YWCA Woman of Achievement award, Congreso de Pueblos Unidos, the Cinco de Mayo Citizen of the Year award, Gran Fiesta Ranchera for her community service. Most rewarding for Nati was receiving the Martin Luther King award in 1995 and Jack B. Clark “Good Neighbor” award in 1999. Riverside would celebrate the great accomplishments of Nati Fuentes, one last time, by building the new “Nati Fuentes Centro de Ninos Child Care Center” on Martin Luther King Blvd., in Riverside. A tribute to a woman who gave her all to the community she loved and called home. In scripture, it says “well done my good and faithful servant”. This is befitting for the woman who has left quite the legacy within the Latino and Riverside community.

Natividad Nati Fuentes

December 25, 1935 - July 3, 2024