Violence Prevention Advocates Receive 1999 California Peace Prize Awards
Rubén Lizardo
For Lizardo, addressing the root causes of violence means understanding the needs of individuals as well as the broader issues of race, economics and education. "In addition to strengthening families, we need to look to larger systems like the economy, like our school systems." Lizardo said. "We have to ask, ‘Is the curricula relevant for Latinos, blacks and Asians?’ Now that these groups form a majority of California’s students, their academic performance and ultimately their role in the state’s labor force, must be of paramount importance to all Californians." As a board member for the Watts Century Latino Organization, Lizardo also works closely with parents and students to make their voices heard. Clara Luz Navarro
"When their husbands are abusive, the women and their children suffer a great deal and hold the expectation that at any given moment they’ll become ‘legal,’" Navarro said. "We need to change the laws so that women don’t have to go through this." One of the group’s greatest successes was the passage of the Violence Against Women Act, which allows an immigrant woman who has been abused to petition for permanent residency without her husband’s sponsorship. "Without the right to work legally, women experience sexual harassment and exploitation of their immigrant status. They are not paid justly," she said. Other issues she has addressed include culturally competent health care, elimination of sweatshops and affirmative action. Gilbert Sanchez
"How can you ask youth to make a choice in life if there are no options? How can they do well if they’re not exposed to positive adult role models or activities or learning experiences?" Sanchez said. He recounted the stories of hard-core gang members he has worked with who are now in college, getting good grades and working to stop gang violence. These success stories demonstrate to Sanchez the importance of attracting additional resources to gang intervention in Los Angeles and providing alternatives to youth who are trying to leave a violent lifestyle. "It shows that, given the proper support and opportunities, people can do well," Sanchez said. For complete interviews with the Peace Prize recipients, visit TCWF's main website at www.tcwf.org/press_room. |
n December 3,
TCWF presented its seventh annual California Peace Prize Awards to three people who are
stopping violence by opening doors to healthier ways of life. Each received $25,000 in
recognition of their efforts.
Winter 1999-2000
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Foundation.
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