By John Canalis
Staff Writer
Posted: 09/10/2009
LONG BEACH - Three men and women known for work on behalf of struggling families, social causes and promoting greater understanding among races and religions will be feted next week by the California Conference for Equality and Justice.
The organization formerly known as the National Conference for Community and Justice, or NCCJ, will give its Gene Lentzner Human Relations Award to three people who have made "exceptional contributions to improving human relations at a grass-roots level in Long Beach."
The honorees are Chan En Hopson, founder and president of the Khmer Parent Association; Dora Jacildo, executive director of the Children Today; and the Rev. Sunshine Daye, a community activist.
Hopson founded the Khmer Parent Association in 1995 to help motivate Cambodian youths to pursue higher education. A survivor of Cambodia's Killing Fields era, she is also involved in health-related awareness campaigns in the Cambodian community.
"It's very meaningful because the CCEJ is a prestigious organization that is quite well known," Hopson said. "I am very honored and very humbled to receive this award."
Jacildo's work with Children Today focuses on running child-care centers for homeless children in North and West Long Beach.
"She is an amazing example of someone who not only works tremendously hard to oversee the curriculum, staff and programs that Children Today provides, she also works tirelessly in the Long Beach community to create awareness and partnerships that enrich the lives of homeless children in Long Beach," said Theresa Bixby, a board member of Children Today, of Jacildo.
Daye is identified as "a human advocate" who focuses on drug and alcohol recovery, HIV and AIDS awareness, gay and lesbian rights like marriage equality, and other social causes. She works with the Eastside's Namaste Science of Mind Center.
"It's one of the highest honors to get a Lentzner Award," Daye said of the award named for the man who has promoted tolerance through his work with the Jewish Federation of Long Beach and West Orange County. "Gene has been a local icon and an advocate. For me to get an award with his name on it is truly an honor for me."
Narong Ngeth and Francisco Rodriguez are to receive the CCEJ Anthony B. Rogers volunteer of the year award for CCEJ service. The laurel is named for the late Tony Rogers, who taught at Poly High School.
The CCEJ will also introduce its new board officers: Eleanor G. Aguilar, Bank of America; James Normandin, Memorial Medical Center Foundation; Avygail Sanchez, HDR Engineering Inc.; and Jim Zehmer, TABC Inc.
The CCEJ's stated mission is to eliminate bias, bigotry and racism by promoting understanding and respect among races, religions and cultures through education, conflict resolution and advocacy.
The CCEJ's 46th dinner begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. - dinner is an hour later - at the Hyatt Regency, 200 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach. Guests are asked to RSVP today.
Tickets are $75. For information, call 562-435-8184.
john.canalis@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1273.
Staff Writer
Posted: 09/10/2009
LONG BEACH - Three men and women known for work on behalf of struggling families, social causes and promoting greater understanding among races and religions will be feted next week by the California Conference for Equality and Justice.
The organization formerly known as the National Conference for Community and Justice, or NCCJ, will give its Gene Lentzner Human Relations Award to three people who have made "exceptional contributions to improving human relations at a grass-roots level in Long Beach."
The honorees are Chan En Hopson, founder and president of the Khmer Parent Association; Dora Jacildo, executive director of the Children Today; and the Rev. Sunshine Daye, a community activist.
Hopson founded the Khmer Parent Association in 1995 to help motivate Cambodian youths to pursue higher education. A survivor of Cambodia's Killing Fields era, she is also involved in health-related awareness campaigns in the Cambodian community.
"It's very meaningful because the CCEJ is a prestigious organization that is quite well known," Hopson said. "I am very honored and very humbled to receive this award."
Jacildo's work with Children Today focuses on running child-care centers for homeless children in North and West Long Beach.
"She is an amazing example of someone who not only works tremendously hard to oversee the curriculum, staff and programs that Children Today provides, she also works tirelessly in the Long Beach community to create awareness and partnerships that enrich the lives of homeless children in Long Beach," said Theresa Bixby, a board member of Children Today, of Jacildo.
Daye is identified as "a human advocate" who focuses on drug and alcohol recovery, HIV and AIDS awareness, gay and lesbian rights like marriage equality, and other social causes. She works with the Eastside's Namaste Science of Mind Center.
"It's one of the highest honors to get a Lentzner Award," Daye said of the award named for the man who has promoted tolerance through his work with the Jewish Federation of Long Beach and West Orange County. "Gene has been a local icon and an advocate. For me to get an award with his name on it is truly an honor for me."
Narong Ngeth and Francisco Rodriguez are to receive the CCEJ Anthony B. Rogers volunteer of the year award for CCEJ service. The laurel is named for the late Tony Rogers, who taught at Poly High School.
The CCEJ will also introduce its new board officers: Eleanor G. Aguilar, Bank of America; James Normandin, Memorial Medical Center Foundation; Avygail Sanchez, HDR Engineering Inc.; and Jim Zehmer, TABC Inc.
The CCEJ's stated mission is to eliminate bias, bigotry and racism by promoting understanding and respect among races, religions and cultures through education, conflict resolution and advocacy.
The CCEJ's 46th dinner begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. - dinner is an hour later - at the Hyatt Regency, 200 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach. Guests are asked to RSVP today.
Tickets are $75. For information, call 562-435-8184.
john.canalis@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1273.
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