Names of Note: Four earn Latino Leadership Award from Modesto area’s congressman
Rep. Josh Harder, D-Turlock, presented his annual Latino Leadership Award to people working in health care, education and other causes.
The four recipients were honored Sept. 9 in Modesto. They are:
- Lourdes Perez, a community advocate at Public Health Advocates, a Davis-based nonprofit that works to reduce barriers to care. She serves on the Ceres Unified School District board and has volunteered as a tax preparer, at her church and in other ways. Her nominator wrote, “I know Lourdes from her help with the Promotora Program, where she empowered Latinx community members … To her, being a Public Health Advocate means making the effort to ensure that all people have the right to a healthy lifestyle.”
- Carolina (Caro) Alfaro, founding director of the Warrior Cross Cultural Center at Stanislaus State University, formerly known as the Diversity Center. Her nominator wrote, “Caro challenges systems of oppression, provides support and encouragement to people in her care and is always there to support students pursing higher education … Her lifelong work and commitment to philanthropic work has always been in the service of uplifting the community.”
- Dionicio (Danny) Cruz, who served in the Vietnam War and has worked on veteran and other causes for almost 50 years. They include the Stanislaus County Equal Rights Commission, Latino Community Roundtable, Parent Institute for Quality Education and Headrest (Center for Human Services). “Danny is a compassionate individual whose humble beginnings did not stop him from becoming an achiever and contributing member in our community,” his nominator wrote. “He is a leader with a sharp mind and a great sense of humor and is also a man of integrity.”
- Noe Paramo, director of the Sustainable Rural Communities Project at the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation. His work has included naturalization workshops for Latino immigrants, voter education drives and a COVID-19 relief effort. “Noe has a deep understanding of the Latino community in Congressman Harder’s district and a tireless commitment to making concrete change for Latino farm worker families,” his nominator wrote.
Harder’s district takes in all of Stanislaus County and southern San Joaquin County.
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
This story was originally published September 19, 2021 at 4:00 AM.
John Holland
The Modesto Bee