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June 6, 2005 
VOL.
43, NO. 11Oakland,
CA
their service and leadership
More than two dozen young people who have given of their
time and talents to build a better society received awards during an annual
ceremony sponsored by Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community.
The ceremony, held in Santa Maria Parish in Orinda, honored the work of
young people from cities throughout Contra Costa County. Several of them
were youth leaders in CCISCO, an ecumenical organization dedicated to
grass-roots work in local communities.
Many of the youth were involved with other community organizations or
religious congregations. They have aided their communities in a wide variety
of ways, from religious education in parishes to organizing under the
auspices of CCISCO.
Out of 29 award winners, 23 were members of Catholic parishes, and a large
number were Latinos. Five were from Protestant churches and one was a
Muslim youth nominated by his mosque.
Don Stahlhut, CCISCO executive director, said the organization has been
encouraging congregations to nominate young people who would ordinarily
not receive recognition for their labors. “We want to honor them
in front of their peers,” he said, “and encourage them so
they will return to their congregations and continue doing what they are
doing.”
The following youth received CCISCO awards:
Andre Alvarez from St. Joseph Parish in Pinole, Roxane Alvarez from Immaculate
Heart of Mary Parish in Brentwood, Juan Carlos Amaya from St. Peter Martyr
Parish in Pittsburg, Ismael Camacho from St. Anthony Parish in Oakley,
and Shannon Collyer from St. Bonaventure Parish in Concord.
America Delgado from St. Mark Parish in Richmond, Brian Finn from the
Catholic Community of Pleasanton, Elba Gomez from St. Peter Martyr Parish
in Pittsburg, Elizabeth Guttierez from St. Mark Parish in Richmond, and
German Medina of Our Lady Queen of the World in Bay Point.
Bobby Nakae of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Concord, Amy Nelson of
Most Holy Rosary Parish in Antioch, Maggie Pehanick of Santa Maria Parish
in Orinda, Victor Ramirez of St. Peter Martyr Parish in Pittsburg, and
Miranda Ripoli of Church of the Good Shepherd in Pittsburg.
Julio Suarez of St. Anthony Parish in Oakley, April Tablante of St. Callistus
Parish in El Sobrante, Marirose Tashjian from St. John the Baptist Parish
in El Cerrito, Nour Tweimeh from St. Joseph Parish in Pinole, Danielle
Vaticano from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Concord, Alyssa Vincent
from St. John the Baptist Parish in El Cerrito, and Edward Walsh of Santa
Maria Parish in Orinda.
Brian Williams from Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, Kristina Batchelor
from a Seventh Day Adventist church, Charles Guiam from the Methodist
Church of Pinole, Nathan Hopes from Radiant Life Ministries, Joey Richardson
from a Seventh Day Adventist church, and Mustafa Tinawi from Dar-Ul-Islam
Mosque in Concord.
The Catholic youth were involved in a wide variety of ministries –
acting as lector at Mass, helping with confirmation classes, preparing
food, acting as youth leaders for CCISCO, taking care of young children,
serving on the parish council, performing music and helping in the sacristy.
Youth leaders have helped create youth centers in their communities, served
as tutors, and lobbied to improve conditions in local schools.
CCISCO is an affiliate of Pacific Institute of Community Organization,
an Oakland-based group that supports a network of organizations throughout
the U.S. Its members include religious congregations in Contra Costa County,
which act as local organizing committees.
Locally, CCISCO has worked to improve schools, create safe streets in
neighborhoods impacted by crime, increase the availability of affordable
housing, and improve housing conditions for renters, among other projects.
