Office On Latino Affairs Recognizes Volunteer Efforts

The Office on Latino Affairs Recognizes Community Efforts at their Presentation of the "Latino Art Beat" Awards

Mayor Adrian Fenty and the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs launched the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month with the presentation of the “Latino Art Beat” Awards Ceremony at the Mexican Cultural Institute.  A friend and supporter of MCS, Senor Jose Luis Castillo was recognized for 13 years of volunteer service with local non-profit organizations.  In his hallmark humility, Senor Castillo pressed his 21 year old son, Jose Luis, Junior to retrieve the award, when he heard his name over the microphone.  Mercedes Lemp, the Executive Director of OLA, spoke into the microphone, “No, Senor Castillo, this time the award is for you.”

Senor Castillo receives the OLA "Latino Beat Award" at Launching of Hispanic Heritage Month

Senor Castillo, is a native of Peru with over 22 years in the United States.  He began his volunteer career with the Stoddert Soccer League through Oyster Elementary where his son, Jose Luis, Jr played.  He has volunteered with the Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care, OLA, MCS, Neighbor’s Consejo and other social service agencies in the area.  He has continued to volunteer with Hardy Middle School and Wilson High School.  For these organizations and others, he has manned health and employment fairs, distributed food and helped at clothes drives.  He has also provided facilities support to programs and conducted community outreach.

Senor Castillo was one of the first parents to graduate from MCS' "Parents As Partners" (PAP)Training in 2004 held at Wilson High School.  He not only helped recruit other Wilson parents to this training, but helped set up the tables and chairs for the evening classes.  His participation in the training polished what Senor Castillo already brought to the table - invaluable concern for his son's future and well-being. 

When his son began to fall through the cracks in high school and few where guiding him to graduation, Senor Castillo began to approach his son's teachers with greater tenacity.  If there was a service potentially improving his son’s grades or creating a brighter future for him, Senor Castillo was pursuing it.   Ms. Jurado, a Parent Empowerment Specialist at MCS states, “Jose, Jr. graduated from high school because of his father’s involvement and extraordinary support.  Who knows what may have happened to him without it.”

Today, Senor Castillo and his son continue to volunteer where they are needed.  His son is a freshman at the University of the District of Columbia with a course focus on website design. When MCS asked Senor Castillo why he engages with his community as he does, he responded, "Lo mas bonito de mis experiencias en la comunidad, han sido los momentos que he vivido con mi hijo.....en cualquier lugar que el ha estado, he estado yo a su lado - sea tomando una taza de cafe, cargando una mesa, o distribuyendo foletos".  [The most memorable part of my volunteer experiences are that I have lived them with my son - whether having a cup of coffee, carrying a table, or distributing flyers - wherever he has been, I have been by his side."] 

He continues, "Ahora cuando estoy en un evento y mi hijo no esta a mi lado, me preguntan, '?y donde esta su hijo?'.  Cuando esta mi hijo en un evento y yo no estoy a su lado, le preguntan , '?y donde esta tu papa?'."  [Whenever I am at an event and my son is not by my side, I get asked, "where is your son?"  When my son is at an event and I am not at his side, they ask him, "where is your dad?"].

If you are a participant in a community employment fair or food distribution event, you are likely to see Senor Castillo and his son.   MCS thanks you for your invaluable support Senor Castillo!

Senor Castillo receives recognition for 13 years of volunteer services presented by Mercedes Lemp, Executive Director of OLA