Third Annual
A.M.A.E. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
May 1, 2004
 

Association of Mexican American Educators (AMAE) of the Pajaro Valley would like to announce that on Saturday, May 1, 2004, at Starlight Elementary School in the Multipurpose room, four community members will be honored for their contribution in providing community leadership in the Health Services Field in the Pajaro Valley.

Time of the event: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Dinner will be served!!!

The four honorees are:
 

Bonnie Gutierrez
Bonnie Gutierrez is the Coordinator of Health Services and Healthy Start for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District(P.V.U.S.D). As the coordinator, Bonnie plays an important role in the development of programs, services, and policies which affect the health of all children in the Pajaro Valley. Bonnie’s advocacy to serve the students in P.V.U.S.D. by providing quality services and her continued efforts to address the needs of underserved populations in our communities is exemplary. She has served on many local boards as an advocate for health awareness. Among, the boards she has served includes her participation in the Migration and Assimilation in the Americas (MAIA) Foundation Board, Latino Issues Forum, R-TIP Advisory, Watsonville High School Health Academy Advisory, and Salud Para La Gente, Bonnie has been awarded for her leadership. Her most recent recognition was in 2002, the Phil Rather Leadership in Health Care Award from the Pajaro Valley Community Healt
h Trust. Her professional experience in the Health field is extensive. Bonnie is a true leader and merits recognition by her colleagues in the education and health field as well as by the community at large. AMAE honors Bonnie as a key voice in advocating for the health needs of the students of P.V.U.S.D. and of the community at large.


Jaime Molina
Jaime Molina is a Mental Health Counselor for Santa Cruz County. Jaime is described by his peers as an exceptional clinician who is committed to serving families in Watsonville. His dedication to the community of clients he serves is evident in his continued involvement in events outside his professional responsibilities that promote his clients well-being and progress. He is soccer coach for youth in juvenile hall. He serves not only as a coach, but as a role model and mentor. Jaime has been the principal organizer and leader in yearly community event of the Familias Conference that takes place in Watsonville where families learn about a variety of community resources and support agencies thanks to Jaime’s efforts in bringing about awareness. His involvement in the community extends into his service on boards such as the Student Attendance Review Board where Jaime advocates student rights and services. Jaime’s expertise in the field of communication skills, gang and d
rug awareness, mental health issues, have been shared with the community through his teachings as the instructor of classes offered by Adult Education to the Spanish speaking community of Watsonville. AMAE salutes Jaime Molina for his modeled excellence in the field of mental health and extensive community service.
 

Dora Solinas
Dora Solinas is a local nurse currently working at Dominican Hospital who has dedicated a great deal of her time in bringing about health awareness to families throughout Santa Cruz County. Dora’s involvement in the community expands a wide array of arenas. She has served on multiple advisory boards including but not limited to the NOSOTRAS Cancer Support Board and the YMCA and has also shared her knowledge and energy with agencies such as the Santa Cruz Survivors of Incest and Sexual Abuse. Dora mentored a high school Latina student interested in pursuing a career as a nurse through Aptos High School’s Latina mentoring program Proyecto Xochitl. She has worked as an instructor and presenter both for Population Services International, P.S.I. and Adult Education addressing issues of family health. Dora is also well known for her talents as an aerobics and salsa dance instructor in the community. In the year 2000 she produced the play “Paquitito’s Christmas” (play abou
t little Latino boy’s struggles), and it was shown at the Mello Center She is a proponent for good health and model health provider. AMAE pays tribute to Dora Solinas for her extraordinary contributions to the community at large and her commitment to promoting the vital need to increase health awareness in the Latino community.


Arcadio Viveros
Arcadio is the chief executive officer for Salud Para La Gente, Inc in Watsonville. In his position, Arcadio has led Salud Para La Gente to grow as a leading non-profit health agency in Santa Cruz County. He has facilitated the clinics expansion of services through the development of partnerships with multiple entities including Migrant Education that serves thousands of Latino students in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. This partnership will ensure the health needs of these children are being met. His community activism and board participation is expansive. Arcadio’s health advocacy is evident through his involvement with both national and local organizations. In particular to his involvement in local agencies, Arcadio is a health advocate on the following bodies: First Five Commission of Santa Cruz County, Healthy Kids, Safety Net Community Clinics. His colleagues share Arcadio has a great interest in addressing issues of cultural competency and has made
exemplary efforts in supporting his staff in acquiring the skills necessary in meeting the growing needs of a diverse community. As a leader of a leading health organization in our community, we applaud Arcadio’s dedication to addressing the issues of cultural competency, being a voice for the health needs of the Latino community through his involvement in multiple health agencies, and supporting the needs of student in the Pajaro Valley.