MAG honored by Garcia’s 56th district as Nonprofit of the Year
Mothers and Men Against Gangs Coalition was recognized as the “Nonprofit of the Year” by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia (D-56th) on Monday.
It is the second annual celebration initiated last year by the California Association of Nonprofits. Each legislator can choose an awardee so there are potentially 80 recipients. Honorees will be acclaimed June 28 in Sacramento where they will visit the state senate and assembly floors and feted at a luncheon afterwards. Nonprofits are vitally important to California’s well-being noted Jan Masaoka, chief executive officer of CalNonprofits.
“We’re thrilled the State Assembly put the spotlight on nonprofits and congratulate all recipients for making California a better place,” said Masaoka.
MAG was begun four years ago by Yulil Alonso-Garza and her husband Martin Garza Sr. following the tragic murder of their son Martin Alberto Garza. MAG works actively toward the eradication of gangs. They do outreach with county agencies to thwart gang recruitment by fostering alliances among parents, school administrators and businesses and by steering young men into after-school and crime prevention programs.
“We’ve now started bringing awareness of all crimes, we’ll make this city, state and nation a place where gang violence is not allowed,” said Alonzo-Garza. “Once the youth here finds out we’re connected with so many organizations they’ll be motivated to a positive path.
For the prior four years MAG hosted numerous events to commemorate Martin Alberto’s life. In April, during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week MAG held the fourth annual Sneaker Ball Scholarship fundraiser that salutes exceptional men and women of the year and provides opportunity by awarding college scholarships. Other community events serve in a similar way such as a 5K run, sports tournaments, a letterman jacket program, anti-bullying presentations and a literacy night.
In a letter of congratulations, Garcia invited Alonso-Garza to join him at the State Capitol. “I commend the dedicated efforts of MAG to deter violence and empower families of Imperial Valley,” said Garcia. “Rather than surrendering to personal tragedy the Garza family transformed their community through advocacy to prevent others from the pain of losing a loved one. I chose this organization because their passion inspires community partners to make a change.”
The Garza family is still trying to reflect on the news of the honor yet it has really been the community that is the driving force to make sure the vision of MAG spreads throughout the county and beyond.
“If it wasn’t for everybody in the county contributing in some way we wouldn’t be receiving a reward,” said Alonso-Garza. “It’s the volunteers who donate their time and you can’t put a price tag on that.”
Law enforcement especially helped open the eyes of MAG, what to look out for in the community. And the media plays a critical role for without them the community would be unaware.
“And one more thing, it’s important we share our ideas with elected officials because with their participation it shows they have a vested interest in the community,” Alonso-Garza said.