Honoring Nine Distinguished Community Leaders
ALA’s Leadership Training Institute honored local community members on May 31 at the Indian Wells Golf Resort Pavilion. The honorees consistently go “above and beyond” and were nominated by their peers for this prestigious award. They’ve all proven excellence in community leadership and service. The event, hosted by Patrick Evans, a local media personality was also an Above and Beyond awards recipient this year.
Some of the honorees are highly recognized in the community and go above and beyond tirelessly every year. Others are the “unsung heroes” who are quietly making a difference in our community and are relatively unknown for their devoted high-levels of community service. This year’s Nine (9) honorees are from an array of service backgrounds, including human services, animals, social change, media, non-profits, education, legal action and more. Each of these honorees is among the finest examples of the citizens of the greater Coachella Valley.Past recipients of this prestigious award include: Jackie Lee Houston, Brooke Beare, Nachhattar Chandi , Cerenia Guerrero, Gigi Muth and others.
Congratulations to the 2014 Above & Beyond Honorees
Animal Services
Save A Pet, Desert Hot Springs
For more than 30 years, Save-A-Pet has rescued animals in danger, and provided healing medicines, treatment, food, and shelter. They have helped to find permanent, loving homes for approximately 600 animals each year. Save-A-Pet began as a no-kill shelter and has expanded its services to include programs, such as, Senior Animals for Senior People, pairing deserving seniors with animals.
Community Outreach
Owen & Audrey Gillick, 29 Palms
In their 62 years of marriage, Owen and Audrey have each done much to serve their communities. However, it is the work they’ve done together that really stands out. He has worked to improve the effectiveness of non-profit and public service agencies. Audrey also taught at Copper Mountain College and has been active in the art community, including the City of 29 Palms Public Arts Advisory Committee establishing the framework for the city’s support of the arts. Together, they were founding members of the Action Council for 29 Palms, a community mural program.
Rev. Dr. Tahlib McMicheaux, Desert Hot Springs
As a pastor of the First Community Baptist Church, he has worked tirelessly to improve the way resources are delivered to those in need. While attending to the spiritual needs of his community, the Reverend has also become a bridge between neighborhoods and local government to help improve services. He has served on many community service boards, faith councils, partnerships, and health partnerships, always with the vision and hand up to help those in need. Tahlib was instrumental in getting the Palm Springs Gang Task Force started and has served with the Anderson Foundation, Rotary International, and the American Cancer Society.
Education
Paul Morway, Indio
Children in elementary school, are fortunate if they come across a teacher as dedicated as Mr. Morway. During his 16 years of teaching, he has not only worked to provide high quality education for his students, he has served his school and community in many ways. In the classroom, he is passionate about seeing children connect to literature and to history. At school, he serves on the Intervention Committee, helping to make sure student needs are met.
Human Services
Andrea Aranda, Palm Desert
Andrea’s service as a Social Worker has provided hope for foster children and families throughout Riverside County. As a Riverside County Social Worker, Andrea works with people to support them through difficult times and to provide services to families to ensure their health and well-being. Andrea was instrumental in creating, Faith in Motion, which is an initiative in Riverside County connecting faith-based groups with the county’s social service agency. Faith in Motion gives local faith-based groups the opportunity to provide support and encouragement to the families served by social services
Legal Advocacy
Mike Hestrin, Temecula
Over the years, much of Mike’s legal work has been centered around children. As the Trial Team Leader for the DA’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit, he prosecuted those who targeted and abused children. Assisting on child abuse cases came naturally to him, as his mother was an advocate for the abused. Mike has also trained prosecutors, paralegals, law enforcement, Riverside County Bar Association members, and social workers in ethics, trial advocacy, sex offender prosecution, homicide prosecution, and capital case litigation.
Media
Patrick Evans, Rancho Mirage
Patrick originally started working his first television job at 17. While still in college, he became the weekend weatherman at WVIR, then after graduation, he moved to the morning newscast. In August 2002, Patrick moved to the Palm Springs area to take a position with new Coachella Valley CBS affiliate, where he’s been the Chief Meteorologist for CBS Local 2. During his decade long tenure, Patrick also hosted the Valley’s only live Arts and Entertainment program, “Eye on the Desert”. Patrick serves on the Board of the Family YMCA of the Desert, and previously served on the boards of the California Desert Chorale and the Desert Symphony and the United Way.
Social Change
Lynn Moriarty, Palm Desert
As the Former Executive Director of Shelter from the Storm, Lynn helped change countless lives for the better. She spent her career advocating for victims of domestic violence and working to protect them and give them the hand they needed to move forward. At Shelter from the Storm, she founded the Edra Blixseth Community Counseling Center, the Florence Rigdon Long Term Transitional Housing Program, and the emergency shelter-based Indian Wells Medical Clinic.
Brenda Ayon Verduzco, Coachella
Brenda’s commitment to creating and supporting positive social change is evident in the work she does wherever she is. As Brenda has worked her way through college, and law school, she has always dedicated herself to working with organizations that serve. Her community service has included the One Justice Program, a legal clinic to help immigrant youth file their Deferred Action Children Arrivals applications; the Young Lawyers Program, a mentoring program for inner-city children; and the Rotaract Club.
Charity: Angel Light Academy’s (ALA) Leadership Training Institute. Teaching leadership, team building, problem solving, conflict resolution, and communication skills to adults and at-risk youth in the greater Coachella Valley.
For more information on the charity visit: www.angellightacademy.org
