SocialMiami Remembers: Teresa Callava
Kiwanis Club of Little Havana's director worked tirelessly to provide educational opportunities to underserved communities.
The Kiwanis Club of Little Havana announces the loss of its longtime Director of Business Development & Marketing, the beloved Teresa Callava, who passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 7, 2021, at the age of 64, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.
Callava dedicated 36 years to advancing the organization’s mission of providing educational access and resources to the underserved population in South Florida and was an integral piece in the making of South Florida’s popular events, Carnaval on the Mile and the world-famous Calle Ocho Music Festival. Through her tireless and passionate work over the years she generated more than $70 million for hundreds of thousands of young people the Kiwanis of Little Havana directly impacted through community project initiatives like college scholarships, summer camps, sports leagues, back to school assistance drives and additional resources that have provided access to achieving the dream of obtaining higher education.
“Teresa was the epitome of passion and lived her life every day that way. Words cannot describe the sadness our board, staff, volunteers, and organizational partners are experiencing over the passing of this inimitable and loving individual. Teresa’s fervor for the Kiwanis of Little Havana’s cause was infinite, and her legacy will always be honored,” said Jorge Fernandez, President of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana.
Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming. Her noble wish was to leave a legacy in the Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Teresa Callava Legacy Fund be made in her honor.
Callava is survived by her son Victor, her forever love Dimitri, her siblings Elena and Pepe and her nieces and nephews.