Paterson Youth Council’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Recognition Awards Ceremony
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life, vision, and commitment to the causes of both civil rights and public service, the Paterson Youth Council (PYC) hosted its 4th Annual Dr. MLK Youth Recognition Awards Brunch at the Brownstone House on Monday, January 18, 2010.
Organized by New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC), the PYC is a citywide youth-led and youth-driven civic organization consisting of young people ranging from 12 to 18 years old. Their mission is to represent the interest of young people throughout the city of Paterson.
The Youth Council uses this national holiday in honor of Dr. King to recognize some of the city’s most committed and community-minded young people and those adults who have helped them succeed. After a month long nomination process that yielded over 100 nominations, the Paterson Youth Council chose four young people to receive the Dr. MLK Youth Recognition Awards, one adult and one youth-serving organization from the City of Paterson. All have made a difference in their community through their commitment to the ideals and virtues espoused by Dr. King. People from various areas of Paterson’s civic life, including schools, churches, and youth groups, nominated these inspired young leaders.
This year’s youth winners are: Dehstin Smart, Marqus Morel, Fidel Garcia, and Harley Huarachi. The adult award goes to Sgt. Sharon Easton, and the organization award was presented to Anthony Davis on behalf of Passaic County Community College (PCCC)’s College Bound/Gear Up. Over 250 people attended the brunch, including Congressman Bill Pascrell, Mayor Joey Torres, and Freeholder Greyson Hannigan.
After the brunch, NJCDC’s AmeriCorps program went to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital to provide a day of activities for hospitalized children, encompassing the theme of diversity and equality. These activities included face painting, arts and crafts, composition writing, and an interactive play about the life and ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr.