Los Angeles County First District Supervisor Gloria Molina (holding award) recently received Building the Dream Award for her many years of work for education. Molina was honored at the Building the Dream Scholarship Reception that fundraised approximately $15,000 for students attending college or vocational schools and who volunteer in their local community. With the students during the presentation were (adults from left) Actor and event Emcee Mike Gomez, activist Dolores Huerta, Rev. Bruce Wellems, CMF, pastor of San Gabriel Mission, Molina, and Rev. Richard Estrada, CMF, pastor of La Placita Catholic Church in Los Angeles. The event is organized by non-profit and community leaders who provide life-changing resources to youth, announced Fr. Wellems. They include Claretian Missionaries Rev. Fr. Richard Estrada of Our Lady Queen of Angels-La Placita Church, Andrea Marchetti of Jovenes, Inc., and Rev. Wellems. Their partnership provides programs to support youth through housing, education, health/economic development, financial literacy and cultural arts, emphasized Rev. Wellems. He said they operate throughout Los Angeles area and provide service opportunities in Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, and San Gabriel Valley to provide a better future for youth.

Photo by Francisco Hernandez.