The Denver Public Library is accepting nominations for its annual Latino Community Service Awards. Sponsored by Swinerton Builders, the awards honor individuals who have made a deep and lasting impact on our city and state. Each year, the library honors Latino leaders with three awards. Winners are selected by a committee of library commissioners, community members and library staff.
Nominations are due by 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, and may be submitted online at www.denverlibrary.org/latino-awards, or sent via U.S. mail to: Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library, c/o Nadia Rendon, 1498 N. Irving Street, Denver, CO 80204
Award winners will be notified in early September and awards will be delivered in September. No public event will be held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Winners will be acknowledged through a social media campaign during Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Lena L. Archuleta Community Service Award:
The recipient will be a person of Latino descent who has made a positive impact in the Denver community, beyond paid employment, in the field of education, youth development, early childhood programming or education policy. This includes formal and informal educators. The recipient does not have to live in Denver to receive the award, however, their work must impact the Denver community. Solicia E. López was the 2019 recipient.
Eric J. Duran Community Service Award:
The recipient will be a person of Latino descent who has made a positive impact in the Denver community, beyond paid employment, to advance community development and/or cultural life through their involvement with the Denver Public Library or another civic institution. The recipient does not have to live in Denver to receive the award, however, their work must impact the Denver community. Diana Chávez was the 2019 recipient.
The César Chávez Latino Leadership Hall of Fame Award
The award, presented annually, will celebrate the induction of one individual into the César Chávez Leadership Hall of Fame. The recipient will be a Coloradan of Latino descent who is committed to social justice and has made a significant positive impact in their community through community organizing, direct service and/or advocacy and public policy. Dr. Priscilla Falcón and Councilwoman Deborah “Debbie” Ortega were the 2019 recipients.
In 2002, the Denver Public Library Commission introduced the Lena L. Archuleta Community Service Award and the César Chávez Latino Leadership Hall of Fame Award to celebrate the contributions of Latino leaders in Denver. In 2015, it commissioned the Eric J. Durán Award.
For more information about the awards, questions or assistance with the nomination form, please email community@denverlibrary.org.
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