2006 Maryland Hispanic Heritage Awards Honorees ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY CARLOS CAMINO Nominated by Maria Casasco, Lt. Bill Lynn and Carmen Camacho for his outreach to Anne Arundel County’s Hispanics as Coordinator for Special Programs for the Anne Arundel County Department of Health and as a volunteer for his church, organizing events for children, youth and adults. CENTRO DE AYUDA, INC. Nominated by Alex Cordier and formed in 1999--and fully operational since 2001--Centro de Ayuda provides free services to the growing Hispanic population in Annapolis, assisting approximately 600 individuals per month with services such as a job bank, pro bono legal assistance, referrals for medical issues and a food pantry program. DEMETRIUS MALLISHAM Nominated by Jessica Contreras for the tremendous impact he has had in the Hispanic community as a case manager for the Family Support Center in Glen Burnie. He has gone beyond the call of duty assisting women in completing protection orders, providing interpreting services and going to court. FATHER JOHN LAVIN Nominated by Maria T.P. Johnson, Archdiocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, for his dedication to the Hispanic community, his tireless dedication to justice and to improve the lives of many people in Baltimore. A Catholic priest for 30 years, Father Lavin nurtured a community at St. Michael’s and St. Patrick’s Church in Baltimore City and has worked in Annapolis since 1992. CATALINA SHORKEY-CHACON Nominated by Holy Trinity Catholic Church’s Rev. J. Bruce Jarboe, Pastor, and Luisa Braday, Hispanic Ministry for her volunteer work for the Hispanic ministry, assisting with faith formation classes, First Eucharist preparation, establishing the young adult group and the youth group. Mrs. Shorkey-Chacon has gone out of her way to serve the Hispanic parishioners of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. CLARET VEGA Nominated by Marta J. Pola, Executive Director of Centro de Ayuda for her outstanding commitment to the families and individuals coming to Centro de Ayuda. Ms. Vega has gone beyond the call of duty to serve people in need since 2004. Whether on the phone with a physician translating for a patient, accompanying Hispanic patients before surgery, working with domestic violence victims or helping to find the family of a deceased, Ms. Vega has shown outstanding commitment to the people she serves on a daily basis. BALTIMORE CITY DIANNA FORD Nominated by Jessica Contreras for her commitment to Baltimore City Latino Youth and for her dedication to the creation of a Latino parents group at Patterson High School. In an area where resources are limited, Ms. Ford has taken the time to knock on every door possible and get the resources that her students need. BLANCA PICAZO Nominated by Lisa Knickmeyer, Director of St. Michael’s Outreach Center/Centro Asistencial San Miguel for dedication to Baltimore’s Latina immigrant community. Certified mediator and abuser intervention facilitator, court certified interpreter, and active on several boards and committees...who, almost four years ago, having recognized the absence of resources for Latinas struggling with issues of domestic violence, presented a model for a comprehensive domestic violence program that was designed to meet the needs of the Latina community. As a result of her conviction, dedication and passion, that idea became a reality and is now known regionally as the Adelante Familia program at St. Michael’s Outreach Center. ST. MICHAEL’S OUTREACH CENTER/CENTRO ASISTENCIAL SAN MIGUEL Nominated by Dick Cook, University of Maryland School of Social Work for their creativity, careful listening, quality programs, courage and for pro-actively addressing domestic violence issues in Southeast Baltimore City. Staff, interns and volunteers listened to the needs of the people they were serving and created programs from the needs they heard - in a creative approach to getting at the root of the problem, they started the first domestic violence program for male offenders in the State. GERALD SCHREIBER Nominated by Cindy Fickes, Director of the Archdiocesan Hispanic Apostolate/Immigration Legal Services in Baltimore City for his kindness, dedication and support for the Hispanic community. Mr. Schreiber has volunteered at the Hispanic Apostolate since 1996 and has been active in a number of activities, among them: volunteered regularly for the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council ESL programs for Spanish speaking people; tutored English to the staff of the Young Christian Workers and St. Michael’s Parish in Baltimore, represented the Apostolate at the Social Ministry Convocation at Seton Keough High School and tutors a number of priests of the Baltimore Archdiocese in English. BALTIMORE COUNTY CARLOS SELVI Nominated by Roberto Allen-Respira Medical, Inc.-for his tireless commitment to the Hispanic community and public safety issues. Mr. Selvi has built relationships with civic groups, local industry, businesses and means of the Hispanic community in order to achieve crime reduction and prevention goals. Detective Selvi has recruited bilingual volunteers to assist in the neighborhoods with large Spanish speaking populations. He takes great pride in his work and is always willing to help anyone in need. GREATER BALTIMORE AREA BALTIMORE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Nominated by Maria Welch-Respira Medical, Inc.-and Gilberto de Jesus for acting as a conduit to create relationships with Hispanics and the greater business community. Since its inception, the BHCC has been the instigator and the prime mover behind the successful series of statewide "Hispanic Business Conferences" held each year, which has brought together more than 300 eager Latino entrepreneurs to share the latest and best business practices to start or grow a business CARROLL COUNTY DR. DANIEL AUKERMAN Nominated by Tammy Black, Executive Director of Access Carroll, a free primary care facility, for his volunteer services. In addition, in addition to volunteering at Access Carroll, Inc. Dr. Aukerman works full time for Interchurch Medical Assistance, Inc. and frequently travels to Latin American Hispanic countries, serving as physician and Team Leader in medical projects. Although he has a deep compassion for all people, his emphasis on the needs of the Hispanic population is evident with progress in multiple health care arenas. UNITED HANDS OF CARROLL COUNTY Nominated by Denise Wilson Diegel (Volunteer-St. John Church), Mark Krider (Anverse, Inc.), Rev. Leo Patalinghug (St. John Catholic Church), Daniel Espinoza (padre de familia) and Audrey Cimino (Executive Director of Community Foundation of Carroll County, Inc.) for promoting sensitivity toward the Hispanic population in Carroll County. Founded by three women in 2003 - Jenni Sharkey, Elena Hartley and Ruby Shu Costea - United Hands of Carroll County has also assisted numerous people to bridge the differences in language and culture to meet their needs in health, employment, housing and family responsibilities. Writes Daniel Espinoza: "Mi responsabilidad como padre de familia es dar mi opinión verdadera de la ayuda recibida...es por ello y por la causa humanitaria donde radica sus objectivos incondicionales ruego a Dios siempre bendiga a esta organización...y le damos gracias por todo." FREDERICK COUNTY ROSALINDA DELGADO Nominated by Elizabeth Hernandez and Lydia Espinosa Crafton. Founder of Buena Gente Magazine, Ms. Delgado’s motivation is to help, to share and to open doors for the Hispanic community - that is why she chose the name "Abriendo Puertas" (Opening Doors) for her local, monthly television talk show broadcast in Spanish which had its debut in 2005. Additionally, in her continued efforts to reach the Hispanic community, Ms. Delgado began "Mujeres Latinas de Frederick," a group of local Hispanic women has been meeting twice a month since mid-2005 to grow in friendship and networking opportunities. Through the efforts of Rosalinda and several of the group’s members, the First Latino Festival of Frederick was held in October 2005 on the grounds of Frederick Community College...Rosalinda provides an exemplary model nor only for Latinos, but for all Marylanders. As a person who reflects and espouses values of self-confidence, accomplishment, hope, community responsibility, generosity, caring, self-respect and courage, Ms. Delgado is someone who represents a worthy model for all Marylanders. HOWARD COUNTY MARTA GOODMAN RUNNING BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nominated by Linda Pinos as an outstanding volunteer and as someone who is joyful and more than happy to welcome newcomers, in particular Hispanic families. She initiated a program called Alliance to assist parents of children who were English as a Second Language students which included the much needed transportation for these families to and from health clinics. Ms. Goodman’s efforts have opened doors to the parents, the children in the community, such as, health assistance: she volunteers in and organizes communities. She is well known throughout the school district and the parents can personally testify to her role in their children’s lives and theirs. HOWARD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF POLICE During 2005, several individuals participated in a Hispanic initiative in order to enhance the health and wellness of the Latino population, bridging the gap between the growing Latino population and law enforcement. Goals included providing vital information pertaining to health care and public safety, to better interact with the Latino population, assure this group that they should not fear the police and efforts to minimize or reduce misunderstandings by law enforcement officers. Members of the Hispanic initiative included Lieutenant A.J. Bellido de Luna, Corporal Gabe Arias, Corporal Alan Shaffer, PFC Sandra Frazier, PFC Al Davila, PFC Chris Georgopoulos, Dispatcher Lisa de Hernandez, PFC Emelly Hurley, PFC Brandon Justice, PFC Manny Rodriguez and PFC Robert Rodriguez, under the guidance of G. Wayne Livesay, Chief of Police, Howard County Police Department. DR. MURRAY SIMON Nominated by Yanitza Claret Navas, Marcelino Bedolla (Vice-President, Conexiones), Roy Appletree (Executive Director, FIRN) and Rev. Walter Rodriguez (Ellicott City Primera Iglesia del Nazareno) for his dedication to Hispanic students. Dr. Simon has been involved in activities to improve the educational opportunities of Hispanic students. Co-founder of the organization, Conexiones, whose vision is to see that every Hispanic student in Howard County completes high school. Concerned about the high school drop out rates in our schools, a tutoring program was piloted at a middle school and an after school program was begun to broaden the student’s perspective beyond their neighborhood. These are only a few of the initiatives begun by Dr. Simon in Maryland. However, his efforts on behalf of Hispanics pre-date his time here with us. Dr. Simon has been involved in educational efforts in a number of countries in Latin America while with the Agency for International Development and taught English to newly arrived Hispanics in New York City. MONTGOMERY COUNTY TERESA WRIGHT Nominated by Jessica Contreras from Casey Family Services for her dedication and love of Latino youth in Montgomery County. She has been a mother, a mentor and teacher to me and hundreds of other students at Magruder High School. Ms. Wright has been active in programs that benefit the Latino students including FAFSA workshops, pregnancy prevention and Spanish literacy programs for parents. REV. FELIX GONZALEZ BOHORQUEZ Nominated by Feliz Ed Gonzalez, II: Este hombre es como pocos, uno que ha estado en las buenas y en las malas junto a su esposa y a sus hijos cuando estos estuvieron pequenos y aun el dia de hoy, que ya son adultos. Durante sus 64 años ha sembrado mucho bien, muchas semillas que hoy dan fruto bueno, y sirven a que nuestro mundo sea much mejor. En Mexico, levanto lugares de adoracion para pequenas comunidades; hizo llegar regalos a los indigentes de Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador. Ha hecho trabajo en Nicaragua y en Texas, promovio una campana por la cual mas de 30 personas lograron su legalizacion. Quizas, no lo dudo, que halla afuera halla otros padres como el mio, pero para mi este es el unico y el mejor de todos. ALVARO ORTIZ Nominated by Candice Kattar from Identity, Inc., as an outstanding example of the contributions made by our immigrant communities and of the enthusiasm and energy of our youth. Alvaro started as a participant in one of Identity’s after-school program in 2002 and moved on to become a volunteer Peer Educator. Mr. Ortiz also and served on Identity’s Youth Advisory Board and volunteered with the school’s ESOL program. Upon graduation from high school in 2005, he received a scholarship from NBC Channel 4 to attend Montgomery College. He continues to volunteer with Identity and with the Office of the Public Defender where he provides much-needed assistance to the Spanish-speaking community they serve. EMILIO PERCHE-RIVAS Nominated by Alberto Reluzco, Ramon & Anna Laura Ruiz, Lazara V. Valle, Nivea Cordova Berrios and Sandra Contreras. As Director of the Spanish Community of Maryland since 1977, Mr. Perche Rivas is without any question the most influential community leader in the creation and maintenance of the most successful educational program for limited English proficient students in the history of Montgomery County Public Schools; his assistance and referral has played an important part of those who need employment, housing, and medical, food, clothing and immigration legal assistance. Among his major contributions has been his active participation in the legalization of more than 3,000 individuals through the amnesty program for which the organization received an award from the Baltimore’s immigration office. He has helped at least as many people to become U.S. citizens and to register to vote to make their voices heard and their votes count. PILAR TORRES Nominated by Rosa Mendoza. As Director of Centro Familia, Ms. Torres has been a beacon of light for countless children and Hispanic families in Montgomery County for the last eight years. She saw a need in our community, had a vision and has not stopped working towards making that vision a reality. Ms. Torres has over 18 years of experience in the delivery of social services to immigrant and ethnic communities; her own experience as a social service professional, immigrant, woman and mother of young children set the framework for the vision and strategies utilized in the design and implementation of the programs at Centro Familia. MULTICULTURAL HEALTH PROMOTERS PROGRAM-LATINO GROUP Nominated by Auxiliadora Pacheco. Started in 2000 under the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP), the goal of the program has been to improve the health of the immigrant families by training native speakers to locate hard-to-reach families without health insurance and help them to apply for MCHP; educate members of their communities on existing health resources in the county and other services for low-income residents and empower community members to become better advocates for their communities. In 2005, the Latino Health Promoters helped more than 436 Latino families navigate health department requirements; planned and organized health fairs on tobacco use prevention and provided feedback to county leaders. MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY HERMANA CARMEN BANEGAS Nominated by Federico Vilella, Manuel Boluda, Luisa F. Willis and Father Lawrence J. Hayes. Sister Carmen Banegas, C.C.V., a Carmelite Sister of Charity has served tirelessly for over 27 years at the Spanish Catholic Center and St. Camillus Parish. While working at the Spanish Catholic Center as a social worker offering employment assistance, she witnessed some of the injustices suffered by the poor, especially women. This led her, in 1979, to receive the needed immigration training to be certified by the government to provide immigration assistance. She has helped to organize immigration workshops to assist immigrants from the metropolitan area to apply for citizenship, amnesty, TPS and other programs. She has received several certificates from INS acknowledging her fine work which stretched over 25 years. Knowns as "abogada del pobre" this pioneer does not know the meaning of the word retirement and assists many people who pass by her apartment in Langley Park seeking immigration assistance, pastoral counseling and preparation for sacraments. She continues to be a beacon of hope for the communities in Langley Park. ALFREDO "FREDDY" HIDALGO Nominated by George Rivera for his dedication to helping the poor. A deacon since 1979, he was assigned to St. Camillus Catholic Church to work with Hispanics in Langley Park. Since 1995, he has been ministering to Hispanics at St. Bernard Parish in Riverdale. Mr. Hidalgo’s enthusiasm, great faith, warmth and compassion compliment his extraordinary commitment to helping Hispanics. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY MIRIAM BALDWIN INSTITUTO DE EDUCACION INFANTIL, INC. Nominated by Santiago de Leon. El Instituto ha sido y es una fuente solida de trabajo asi ayudando a fortalecer la economia del Estado de Maryland. El Instituto es uno de los pocos negocios pioneros en el Estado, entrenando y graduando a una enorme cantidad de mujeres de la comunidad . El entrenamiento que reciben estas mujeres en el Instituto de Educacion INfantil es de tan alta calidad professional que en un corto tiempo despues de graduarse, las alumnas han podido establecer en muchos cases sus propios negocios de cuidado de ninos con mucho exito. WICOMINCO COUNTY Eastern Shore NOHORA RIVERO Nominated by Daniela Dwyer, Staff Attorney, Farmworker Division, The Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. Ms. Rivero serves as a Law Graduate in the Legal Aid Bureau’s Farmworker Division, dedicating herself to enforcing the rights of farmworkers throughout Maryland and Delaware. She is a daily advocate for immigrants by negotiating with employers for payment of unpaid wages, driving to labor camps to educate workers about their rights to safe working conditions and assisting them with a wide variety of employment and consumer legal problems. In 2005 alone, Ms. Rivero visited at least 110 farmworker camps in Maryland and Delaware and provided 550 farmworkers with information about their legal rights. Ms. Rivero’s work with the Bureau’s farmworker program, on behalf of our Latino, Haitian and African-American clients has been superb. This Page Last Revised on January 11, 2007