 |
Hispanic Outreach Taskforce Honors Eastside Leader David C. Lizárraga
Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil and Legendary Vocalist Little Willie G. Also Honored at 2008 Awards Gala
TELACU / Millennium President & CEO David Lizárraga, UCLA gerontologist Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil, and Little Willie G, the lead singer of the 1960’s Eastside band “Thee Midniters,” were honored at HOT’s 14th Annual Positive Image and Scholarship Awards (PIA) & Scholarship Presentation at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.
“This year’s awardees are legends in the Los Angeles Hispanic community and have made significant contributions in the areas of community economic development, senior care policy, and Latino participation in Rock ‘n Roll history,” said HOT President Betty Rengifo Tucker. “Their lasting contributions have improved the quality of life for thousands of people for many decades.”
Each year, more than 400 elected officials, business people and community stakeholders attend the PIA gala dinner to recognize outstanding community leaders in the areas of education, business, community affairs and humanities. The gala will also feature live and silent auctions.
At TELACU, Lizarraga oversees the largest Community Development Corporation (CDC) in the United States, and manages more than $500 million in assets. He’s also credited with creating TELACU’s innovative model that allows its for-profit activities through TELACU Industries to fund its parent nonprofit CDC, which provide programs for young people, veterans, families and senior citizens.
Torres-Gil is acting dean of the UCLA School of Public Affairs and is the director of the Center for Policy Research on Aging. Before joining UCLA, he was a Professor of Gerontology and Public Administration at USC. He is an expert in the fields of health and long-term care, the politics of aging, social policy, ethnicity and disability. Additionally, he is the author of six books and more than 80 articles and book chapters.
Born Willie Garcia, Little Willie G.’s charisma, stage presence and vocal range helped the Three Midniters become the greatest Latino rock band of the 1960s. The group reached Billboard Magazine’s Top 100 nationally with "Land of 1,000 Dances" and scored several regional hits including "Whittier Boulevard." Today, he serves as an ordained minister and oversees Willie G. Ministries in Whittier, which provides young people alternatives to gang activity ad crime.
HOT will also present scholarships to college-bound high school seniors from throughout the Southeast Los Angeles County area. In the program’s eight-year history, HOT has awarded more than $56,000 in scholarships. Last year, for the first time, HOT also awarded scholarships to local students entering their second year of college.
Proceeds from the gala will benefit HOT community programs throughout the year. These programs include the HOT Scholarship Program, the HOT Health Fair, the Parent Education Conference and Mini Parent Conference series, and the Arte y Música Festival.
Date: March 7, 2008
Date: March 7, 2008
Source: Hispanic Outreach Taskforce News Release
