Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania



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Latino Lawyers to Honor Andi Perez of Youth United for Change for Her Community Service

On Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania will recognize Andi Perez for her dedication to the Latino community by awarding her the Seventh Annual La Justicia award. The ceremony, hosted by Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, P.C., will take place at the Pyramid Club, 1735 Market Street, 52nd Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103.

The Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania (HBA) is a professional organization that is committed to the social, economic, professional and educational advancement of Hispanic attorneys and the Hispanic community. The HBA also joins forces with other minority bar associations to ensure that its mission of education and the promotion of justice is attained throughout all minority communities. The HBA established the "La Justicia Award" in 2001 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to the advancement of the Latino community and who exemplify those qualities of the human spirit to which we should all aspire.

In view of the focus both nationally and locally upon the critical role of public education, the HBA has selected Andrea ("Andi") Perez to receive this award because of her deep commitment to empowering students to engender change. Ms. Perez has been the Executive Director and Organizer of Youth United for Change ("Y.U.C.") since 2004, and has worked there as an organizer and Assistant Director since 1999. Y.U.C. follows an institution-based model of community organizing to empower youth and develop local leadership, and brings students of all backgrounds together to identify specific issues within their school or community, research those issues, and develop a strategic action plan to address them. As part of the organizing model, students are placed front-and-center; several of the active student leaders will attend the La Justicia reception.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Ms. Perez attended public schools and went on to graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles. She spent the next several years as the Executive Director of Youth United for Community Action, an organizing agency in Los Angeles, before returning to her hometown and joining the Y.U.C. staff. A long-time resident of the Philadelphia Latino community, Ms. Perez is also Vice President of the Norris Square Civic Association Board of Directors, a member of the Jobs With Justice Steering Committee, and current or former representative to many community-based organizations and youth-related endeavors. Likewise, Ms. Perez has published articles and essays on the importance of organizing, and youth organizing in particular, and has frequently served as a speaker on these topics around the country. The many recognitions that Ms. Perez has received include the Women Making a Difference: Next Generation of Philadelphia Women Leaders Award, bestowed upon her by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown in 2006.

For more information about the Seventh Annual La Justicia award ceremony, please contact HBA President Teresa Rodriguez at trodriguez@friendsfw.org.

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