CKCPJ's 2014 Youth Peacemaker Award Recipients Yuriko Gonzales and Alex Hernandez

Two of CKCPJ’s Youth Peacemaker Awards were presented this year at CKCPJ's annual dinner: to Yuriko Gonzales and Alex Hernandez. 

Johm Kim, Manager of Violence Prevention Initiative at Saint Joseph Health System, presented the CKCPJ Youth Peacemaker award to Yuriko Gonzales

Yuriko's award recognizes the joy and fierce dedication, both, she brings to the work she does. Despite personal family hardship (her father was deported when she was just over 1 year old), Yuriko possesses an infectious positive attitude and work ethic. Since October of 2013 Yuriko has been participating in the Winburn after-school tutoring/mentoring and homework help

Yuriko Gonzales, one of CKCPJ's 2014 Youth Peacemakers, invites the audience to their own peace making and justice work

sessions.

The sessions are held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm Mondays through Thursday, and Yuriko has been the one consistent volunteer who has been there for nearly every session. She has an amazing ability to connect and work with the children and younger teens.  Yuriko is a model young adult who promotes positive behavior and character building in addition to academic tutoring.

A senior at Bryan Station High School, Yuriko’s dream is to attend the University of Kentucky and to become a pediatric nurse, then go on for a PhD. so she can teach nursing at the university level.  

Along the way, Yuriko plans to continue educating and connecting with young people from disadvantaged communities. 

Alex Hernandez, the second recipient of this year's Youth Peacemaker award, is a wonderful role model for young Hispanic/Latino students. He devotes his time and energy to teaching people dance.

Cathy Sutphen, Family Resource Director at Russell Cave Elementary School, presented the CKCPJ Youth Peacemaker Award to Alex Hernandez

His “Movement with Purpose” program promotes using dance as way for people to express their lives and to bring about peace and compassion. Each dance step represents unique meaning and purpose for the individual.

Alex volunteered his time during spring and summer of 2013, working with children in the Winburn Kids on the Move   program.

He assisted in development of the Partners for Youth Grant for the Winburn summer program and for six weeks during summer Alex led dance and mentoring sessions three days a week with groups of kids in the Winbuirn program.  He also led groups of kids to perform at the Spotlight on Youth event.

Alex has graduated from Bryan Station High and continues to work with people from all age groups at his dance studio, including some youth from the summer program.  

Alex Hernandez

 

We are very grateful to photographer Rikka Wallin for permission to use these fabulous photos of our annual dinner. Click through to view her full Facebook album of the event.