Bestowing honors on local community efforts, the Rocky Mountain Promoters Association hosted the 2019 La Familia Sweethearts Ball and presented four individuals with Community Leaderships Awards.
Charlene Barrientos Ortíz received the “Charmie Smiles Social Justice Award” highlighting her At Risk Issue Career Work and Community Service.
“Charlene has been an inspiration to many young females who are often confused about what authentic leadership looks like,” said Dr. Ramón Del Castillo, who presented Ortíz with the Award. “She models her style of leadership with humility, compassion for the underdog, respect for elders in our community, and the practice the truest senses of servant leadership. She also teachers many of the macho men confused about the roles of women in seeking liberation, how women have always been on the front lines of social struggles. Her work with the LGBT communities nationally, statewide and locally is matched only by Charlene’s commitment to disenfranchised communities whose voices are squelched by the master narrative.”
Geri Martínez was presented the “Joseph P. García (Pastor Claude García) Social Justice Ministry Award” for her efforts in Denver Youth Career Work and Community Service.
Rosemary Ornelas also received the “Charmie Smiles Social Justice Award” for her efforts in Denver Seniors Community Career Work and Service.
John Avila aka Johnny “Old School” Avila “Charmie Smiles Music Award” for his 25 Years of Service to the RMPA.
Presenting the Award to Ortíz, was Dr. Ramón Del Castillo, Professor and Chair of the Chicana/o Studies Department, and along with Ortíz are co-founders of the César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee.
“Charlene has been an inspiration to many young females who are often confused about what authentic leadership looks like,” said Dr. Ramón Del Castillo, who presented Ortíz with the Award. “She models her style of leadership with humility, compassion for the underdog, respect for elders in our community, and the practice the truest senses of servant leadership. She also teachers many of the macho men confused about the roles of women in seeking liberation, how women have always been on the front lines of social struggles. Her work with the LGBT communities nationally, statewide and locally is matched only by Charlene’s commitment to disenfranchised communities whose voices are squelched by the master narrative.”
Proceeds from the event support La Familia Ministries Community Program. The event was one of two 2019 scheduled fundraising events scheduled for La Familia Ministries community programming with all proceeds going to help underwrite La Familia Ministries community outreach projects. La Familia Ministries is a Denver Christian Para-church outreach ministry. Their projects and community involvement extends year round in support of other ministries, families, children, and at risk members of the Colorado Front Range Community.
Since 1995, the Mountain Promoters Association (RMPA) Colorado artist support mission has run parallel with events produced by what is now the La Familia Network Group and the RMPA along with sponsors and collaborative partners. From the start La Familia / RMPA events were family run by members of the RMPA founders, their collective families, and friends in the community. Many were boomers in the early years and then the youngsters came.
During the early 2000’s, another generation joined La Familia when the Director, Angel Barrientos’ niece Charmaine Ortíz begin to work La Familia events. She was only 17-years old at the time, but would later take the lead and incorporate her own ideas into the events as she grew to manage them along with an extended family and friend network. By 2014, La Familia and the RMPA had become a 21-year old family and community resource and family tradition.
On December 7, 2013, Charmaine became a mother and gave birth to her first and only child, Xchotil Adelita Lee. Three days later, at age 32, she passed away from pregnancy related heart complications. Since then, the RMPA awards were renamed the “Charmie Smiles Awards” in her honor.
This was fitting because she represents the best in the human effort and investment that the La Familia tradition has been built on over the past twenty-six years. Like her, the organization is about people.
For more info on RMPA and La Familia Ministries: rmpadenver.com.
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