Sandra Martinez (left) and Jessica Morales (PRNewsfoto/Regional Center of Orange County)
SANTA ANA, California, Sept. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Sandra Martinez and Jessica Morales, who work for the Life Steps Foundation, are more than direct support professionals to the woman with disabilities they serve. They are Carla’s roommates, and like family to her and her parents. Their dedication to enhancing Carla’s life was most evident after she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The two Rossmoor residents helped this young woman and her family fight back, with a combination of faith and hard work.
Through three surgeries, 60 radiation treatments, two years of chemotherapy and a multitude of appointments, Sandra and Jessica were her constant caregivers, cheerful companions, and passionate advocates. At her side for doctor appointments and chemotherapy sessions to make sure she was calm and felt safe, their unflagging support amazed the medical professionals treating her. Today Carla is healed and planning her 35th birthday party: “Invite everyone I know!” she says.
In recognition of this exceptional dedication, the two women were honored by Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) with the organization’s 2018 Direct Support Professional Spotlight Award.
Describing what she loves most about her work, Jessica said: “It’s a personal relationship, and she has taught me a lot – to be strong and to be brave. I learn from her every day!”
“Sandra and Jessica are wonderful examples of direct support professionals who are always there for people with developmental disabilities,” says Larry Landauer, RCOC’s Executive Director. “California’s regional center system of community care simply couldn’t function without talented professionals like them, and we’re grateful for the passion and commitment they bring to this very important work.”
About Regional Center of Orange County
Regional Center of Orange County is the private, nonprofit organization contracted by the State of California to coordinate life-long services and supports for more than 21,000 Orange County residents with developmental disabilities and their families. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Learn more at www.rcocdd.com.
About Direct Support Professional Recognition Week
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is part of an American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) national advocacy campaign. Celebrated annually across the country, it honors the tens of thousands of workers who enable people with developmental and other significant disabilities and their families to live healthy lives in their communities.
Acura ILX Ups its Game with Major Refresh for 2019; New Styling, Improved Tech, and New A-Spec Treatment
TORRANCE, California, Sept. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Acura’s gateway sport sedan, the refreshed and significantly upgraded 2019 ILX, debuts today, ahead of its October market launch. Continuing to capture the highest percentage of millennial buyers of any model in-segment, the 2019 ILX delivers a sportier and more sophisticated design, premium cabin materials, tech-savvy features and distinctive A-Spec sport appearance variant. With the application of Acura’s signature Diamond Pentagon Grille to the 2019 ILX, the transformation of the brand’s design language, inspired by the Acura Precision Concept, now stretches across its line-up.
Additional upgrades for 2019 include standard AcuraWatch™ active safety and driver-assistive technology and more luxurious and sporty cabin appointments, as well as an available quicker, more responsive dual-screen user interface with updated graphics, and Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration. All ILX models are powered by a naturally aspirated 201-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine mated to a quick-shifting 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Acura ILX serves a unique and important role as the gateway vehicle to the Acura brand, bringing in the most first-time Acura customers and youngest buyers. ILX also remains a top choice in the entry luxury segment, gaining more than four points of retail market share in the first half of the year and capturing the highest percentage of millennials of any model in segment, something it has done in every year since 2013. ILX recently topped industry quality rankings in its segment, receiving a Power Circle Rating of 5 out of 5 and a quality award in the Small Premium Car segment in the J.D. Power and Associates 2018 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). Acura ILX also captured the top spot in the entry-luxury car category in Kelley Blue Book’s 5-Year Cost to Own Luxury Brand Awards – with Acura the #1 ranked brand for the third year in a row.
Sporty, Sophisticated Refresh For 2019, ILX gets a styling refresh to deliver a more sporty and premium vibe. ILX is all-new from the A-pillars forward – inspired by the Acura Precision Concept. The new face of ILX emanates from Acura’s signature Diamond Pentagon Grille, framed by 7-element Acura Jewel Eye™ LED headlights and a more sharply sculpted hood. The Precision Concept styling theme continues at the rear with an all-new decklid, fascia, LED taillights and lower diffuser with exposed exhaust outlet. All-new wheel designs for 2019 include a 17-inch split-5 spoke wheel with trim specific finishes and an A-Spec exclusive 18-inch wheel.
Inside, the 2019 Acura ILX receives more intricately styled and reshaped sport seats, front and rear, with available high-contrast piping and stitching. All ILXs now feature power adjustable lumbar for the driver’s seat. Additional interior enhancements include a silver-finished dash trim with a chrome insert and a machine-finished push-button start.
The 2019 ILX’s exterior color palette expands with five new colors – Platinum White Pearl, Majestic Black Pearl1, Performance Red Pearl1, Canyon Bronze Metallic1 and A-Spec-exclusive Apex Blue Pearl1 – in addition to the current offerings of Lunar Silver Metallic and Modern Steel Metallic. The interior colors available include a new-for-2019 Espresso, along with Graystone and Ebony. Exclusive A-Spec interior colors are Ebony and Red, both with Ultrasuede™ inserts.
ILX A-Spec The new ILX A-Spec, available with Premium and Technology Packages, joins the TLX sedan and the RDX and MDX sport-utes in receiving the latest-generation A-Spec treatment, with a more distinctive and easily recognizable performance-inspired character, inside and out.
On the exterior, the new ILX A-Spec is distinguished by dark chrome trim for the front grille and lower fascia, LED fog lights, dark appearance for the headlights and taillights, and a gloss-black decklid spoiler. A-Spec models feature 18-inch wheels with an aggressive new design and Shark Gray finish. Apex Blue Pearl, also found on A-Spec variants of RDX and MDX, is now available on the ILX A-Spec.
Interior enhancements for the ILX A-Spec include a graphite-silver dash accent with chrome insert, A-Spec badged steering wheel with contrast stitching and aluminum sport pedals. The all-new sport seats are finished in A-Spec exclusive Ebony or Red leather with black Ultrasuede™ center panels and high contrast stitching.
Technology Enhancements For 2019, every ILX comes standard with the AcuraWatch™ suite of active safety and driver-assistive technology, including Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW). This makes Acura the only luxury brand to provide these features as standard equipment across all its sedans and SUVs.
In addition, ILX continues to be equipped with Acura’s Advance Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and with additional standard safety and driver assistive features, including Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control, an Expanded View Driver’s Mirror, advanced front airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, side curtain airbags, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and pedestrian injury-mitigation design features, along with Acura’s available blind spot information (BSI) system and rear cross traffic monitor.
The 2019 ILX is equipped with an available refreshed dual-screen On Demand Multi-Use Display™ (ODMD™ 2.0) interface with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility. New software improves system response time, offering more intuitive menus and command structures for a seamless and speedy user experience – approximately 30 percent faster. An enhanced 7-inch touchscreen has a capacitive display that is more responsive to touch and is positioned within easy reach of the driver and front passenger.
The 2019 Acura ILX will begin arriving at Acura dealers nationwide in October of this year.
About Acura Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, representing the original values of the Acura brand – a commitment to evocative styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability.
The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium, luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the five-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America’s all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as a new and pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.
Five of the six models in the Acura lineup are made exclusively in Ohio, using domestic and globally-sourced parts, including the ILX and TLX luxury sports sedans (Marysville Auto Plant), the RDX and MDX luxury SUVs (East Liberty Auto Plant) and the Acura NSX supercar, which is built to order at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.
For More Information Additional media information including pricing, features & specifications and high-resolution photography is available at AcuraNews.com. Consumer information is available at Acura.com. Follow Acura on social media at Acura.us/SocialChannels.
Lilly Rocha, President, Latino Food Industry Association
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Latino Food Industry Association (LFIA) has announced the appointment of a talented food industry veteran to the position of President of the organization. Lilly Rocha, founder of the Sabor Latino Food Industry Trade show, will now lead the nation’s first national association representing Latinos involved in every aspect of the food industry.
“We are honored that Lilly Rocha has accepted our offer to lead the Latino Food Industry Association as we launch a new era of growth and expansion of our services for our members,” said Ruben Smith, Chair of the LFIA board. “Her years of experience and dedication to the introduction and expansion of Latino food to the nation’s many diverse communities will serve as a real asset to our organization.”
Ms. Rocha is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, who also attended St. Mary’s University in London, England. She graduated from UC Berkeley during the height of the dot.com bubble in Silicon Valley and her first job was as an event/project manager for NOKIA in Mountain View, Calif.
It was during that time that Ms. Rocha developed a serious interest in trade show & conference management, which eventually led her to earn both the CMP & CMM certifications (the highest in the meeting planning industry). Her company, Space 67 Productions, has produced corporate events since 2009. After successfully managing and growing corporate trade shows for many organizations around the world, she founded the Sabor Latino Food Industry Trade Show in 2013.
With her expertise in sales, marketing and project management, Sabor Latino has become a recognized brand in the Latin Food industry and serves as the premier business platform for Latin food professionals. In addition to serving as President, Ms. Rocha will also maintain her seat on the LFIA board.
“I am honored that the Board asked me to take the helm of this dynamic and influential organization,” said Ms. Rocha. “LFIA’s focus and purpose is to advance the growth and influence of Latinos in one of the nation’s most lucrative and influential business arenas, and I’m prepared and anxious to lead that effort.”
Ms. Rocha developed a passion for healthy eating while a student at UC Berkeley, which grew into a commitment to wholesome living. She enthusiastically shares her passion for healthy eating and other causes while volunteering for the following organizations: The American Heart Association, Long Beach Memorial Women’s Heart Institute, The Heart & Vascular Institute at LBMMC, NLBWA-National, LGELP-USC & ATC School Culinary Program in Montebello, CA. She is also an avid rock climber.
About LIFA The Latino Food Industry Association was established to represent Latinos in all aspects of the food industry and is the leading voice addressing the growing influence of this important and growing demographic. The U.S. Economy has benefited from the sheer size of this consumer segment. With an estimated 54 Million Latinos representing 17% of the U.S. population, it is easy to see how this consumer market has influenced the food and beverage industries in the U.S. To stay competitive in burgeoning marketplace LIFA provides its members with the necessary tools to compete and succeed in the food industry. That support includes: compliance workshops, advocacy, legislative updates, operational trainings, technology, marketing and branding improvements.
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Texas Association of Realtors Young Professionals Network (YPN) recently named five Texas Realtors to receive its “Texas Realtors to Watch Award” for their excellence in leadership, community involvement, and sales in 2018. These Texas Realtors under the age of 40 have demonstrated distinguished service in the real estate industry and the recipients will be honored at the YPN Night Out during the Texas REALTORS Conference on Friday, September 7.
“The Texas Realtors honored today not only go the extra mile to help homebuyers and sellers, but they also advocate for knowledge sharing to help foster and grow their fellow Realtors around them every single day,” said Kaki Lybbert, 2018 Chairman of TAR. “This award signifies the passion and dedication that all Realtors share at every stage of their career to be advocates of Texas real estate and protecting private property home ownership rights.”
The honorees also hold critical roles in their associations of Realtors to further support their profession. Honoree involvement includes a broad range of positions held as board officers and committee members, spokespersons, and advisory group participants. The award winners also have played a strong role in political and legislative advocacy.
The award recipients are:
Benjamin Rodriguez of Triangle Real Estate LLC in Beaumont
Vanessa Dirks of REMAX – Hub City Rentals in Lubbock
Cameron Willmann of Keller Williams Realty – Midland in Permian Basin
Kathy Wade-Turner of Better Home and Gardens Real Estate Preferred Living in Bryan-College Station
Julie Reupke of Mustang Island Realty in Corpus Christi
About the Texas Association of REALTORS® With more than 114,000 members, the Texas Association of REALTORS® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We are the advocate for REALTORS® and private property rights in Texas. Visit www.texasrealestate.com to learn more.
Texas Association of REALTORS® Young Professionals Network The Young Professionals Network is a dynamic entry point for real estate professionals striving to become more successful in their careers and gain leadership experience. YPN’s growth has been driven by REALTORS®. YPN has evolved from a magazine offshoot to a determined, passionate, savvy group of members who use social media effectively and transparently and who are committed to strengthening the REALTOR® brand.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, #VoteTogether, an initiative of Civic Nation, is launching a national campaign aimed at increasing voter participation in the 2018 elections by making involvement in the democratic process fun and inclusive. At thousands of nonpartisan events hosted at and near polling places across the country, #VoteTogether partners will bring together families, friends and neighbors in celebration of civic engagement and the act of voting. #VoteTogether events—including block parties, BBQs, and parades – will take place during early voting and on Election Day. The program is launching in partnership with 140 state and local organizations, several corporate partners, and with 500 events committed.
#VoteTogether is also encouraging individuals to be part of the movement by hosting celebrations in their community. As part of today’s announcement, #VoteTogether is teaming up with MTV’s +1 the Vote campaign to award grants of up to $1,000 to 50 #VoteTogether event hosts across the country. The grants – which will be awarded one per state – will go toward event costs like refreshments, entertainment, and decorations. To host an event and apply for a grant, visit https://votetogetherusa.org.
“#VoteTogether aims to inspire communities to make voting a time of togetherness,” said Angie Jean-Marie, Director of #VoteTogether. “We believe that shifting the culture of voting to make it a fun and positive shared experience will build civic pride and improve voter participation.”
#VoteTogether is also unveiling an event guide and other website resources including downloadable, ready-to-print party decorations, invitations, door hangers, and more. In the coming weeks, #VoteTogether will add an interactive map to its website, allowing users to find nearby #VoteTogether celebrations and a store where event hosts can purchase party kits for their celebrations.
In addition to MTV, the program is launching with the support of partners, including: This Bar Saves Lives which is providing in-kind donations to events; Florida Civic Engagement Table, Virginia Civic Engagement Table, Mile 22, and Civic TN which are state partners; All Americans Vote, Students Learn Students Vote, ALL IN, United State of Women, Creative Artists Agency, Tumblr, Hillel International, DoSomething.org, and When We All Vote which are national partners; In Good Co., Blue Ocean, and the Creative Alliance for pro-bono branding and marketing; Phenomenon and Daughter & Sons for film and video production; and Collab, Portal A, and Socialyte for influencer engagement.
#VoteTogether’s campaign to make voting more celebratory is based on research conducted in 2016 and 2017 by Civic Nation and Columbia University political science professor, Donald P. Green. The studies showed that community celebrations positively impacted voter participation between one and four percentage points. These results, along with the feedback from participating organizations, indicate that voting celebrations are a useful tool to increase democratic participation.
ABOUT #VOTETOGETHER An initiative of Civic Nation, #VoteTogether aims to increase voter participation by making voting fun and inclusive. With a coalition of national, state, and local partners, #VoteTogether is helping to organize thousands of non-partisan, family-friendly celebrations at and near polling locations across the country during early vote and on Election Day. Learn more at: https://votetogetherusa.org/.
ABOUT CIVIC NATION Civic Nation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing some of our nation’s most pressing challenges through organizing, engagement and public awareness. It does this by working in partnership with the Creative Alliance which is a collaborative of 83 creative companies that do pro bono work for Civic Nation to turn ideas into action.
ABOUT MTV’S “+1 THE VOTE” CAMPAIGN +1 the Vote is MTV’s first-ever midterm campaign, which gives young people the tools to invite a friend to vote with them on Election Day. The campaign includes a first-of-its-kind digital experience which allows young people to register to vote, identify which of their friends aren’t registered to vote, and then encourage those friends to register. Additionally, MTV will encourage its audience to #VoteTogether by supercharging youth participation with more than 1,000 parties and events at the polls across all 50 states.
LEAWOOD, Kansas, Sept. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Imagine this: your child is playing a game of soccer or basketball. As they go to kick the ball or defend a shot, they accidentally collide with another player and they both end up on the ground, dazed and a little stunned. Or this: As you’re driving home, you’re involved in a rear-end collision that tosses you violently forward and back, leaving you with a headache and feeling dizzy.
What do these situations have in common? Both can cause a concussion, a traumatic brain injury resulting from a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.
“Concussions can happen to anyone, during any activity,” says Dr. Melinda Dunn, a family physician in Overland Park, Kansas. “You don’t have to be playing a sport – it could be a fall, or other accident. Even a mild concussion can have serious implications.”
As a family doctor, Dunn takes care of patients of all ages, from babies and young children, teenagers, adults and older adults. Dunn is trained to address a broad spectrum of health issues including chronic health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and acute injuries such as concussions.
As students head back to school and fall team sports begin, it’s especially important for parents to be aware of the causes and symptoms of a concussion. According to familydoctor.org, more than half of the emergency room visits for traumatic brain injuries are for children 5 to 18 years of age. While we most commonly hear about them in the news related to football, concussions can happen in almost any sport or activity.
Knowing what to look for after a blow to the head is important so you can take steps to prevent more serious damage in the future. Symptoms of a concussion may include a headache, trouble focusing, memory loss, a dazed appearance, confusion, dizziness or balance issues, blurry vision, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise and changes in mood, behavior or sleep. Signs may show up soon after the injury, but some symptoms may not show up for hours or even days.
If you suspect a concussion, contact your family doctor. Be prepared to tell them what happened as well as what symptoms are present. If the incident occurred during a sporting event, parents should not let their child return to play until they have been medically cleared.
Once someone has experienced a concussion, the risk of having another goes up. And a second concussion can be more severe.
“Safety should always be the first priority,” Dunn says. “There’s no guaranteed way to prevent a concussion, but you can lower your risk by wearing properly fitted protective gear like a helmet and always wearing your seatbelt.”
For more information on concussion symptoms, causes, prevention and treatment, go to familydoctor.org.
About American Academy of Family Physicians Founded in 1947, the American Academy of Family Physicians represents 131,400 physicians and medical students nationwide, and it is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Family physicians conduct approximately one in five of the total medical office visits in the United States per year – more than any other specialty. Family physicians provide comprehensive, evidence-based, and cost-effective care dedicated to improving the health of patients, families and communities. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing and personal patient-physician relationship where the family physician serves as the hub of each patient’s integrated care team. More Americans depend on family physicians than on any other medical specialty.
To learn more about the AAFP and family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. Follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Sept. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Antiaging And Regenerative Center is pleased to announce they now offer GAINSWave! This breakthrough noninvasive medical therapy uses low-intensity shockwave therapy to enhance sexual performance and to treat Erectile Dysfunction (ED) symptoms.
As men age, the vessels in their penis weaken, contract and fill with micro-plaque, which can lead to Erectile Dysfunction. As these tiny vessels become clogged, the penis decreases in sensitivity, making it harder for men to achieve and maintain an erection. Thankfully, the GAINSWave protocols can enhance a man’s performance by using high-frequency acoustic waves to repair existing blood vessels and improve blood flow.
Thanks to the numerous clinical studies on Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (Li-ESWT), we can see that this therapy improves not only Erectile Dysfunction symptoms but also sexual performance. “GAINSWave is an ideal solution for men looking to improve spontaneous erections without the use of Viagra or Cialis,” says Victor Atallah. Patients receiving GAINSWave therapy have reported improved erection quality, enhanced sexual performance and decreased refractory times between orgasms, which is why this a great alternative to ED medications.
This drug and surgery-free procedure only takes about 20 minutes and can enhance a man’s sex life while addressing the root cause of Erectile Dysfunction. Antiaging And Regenerative Center is now treating men with the GAINSWave Therapy in their offices located at Av. Abraham Lincoln 1009, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
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Victor Atallah of the Antiaging and Regenerative Center focus on natural treatment therapy for male enhancement. Utilizing cutting-edge shockwave therapy (GAINSWave), the Antiaging and Regenerative Center provides drug-free, non-invasive solutions for men battling erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease in Santo Domingo.
For More Information Contact: Adrian Gonzalez Social Media & PR Specialist [email protected] 786-558-0338
AUSTIN, Sept 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Good Society, co-founded by former Keller Williams CEO Mark Willis, is on a mission. What started as a health and wellness/coworking concept has turned into a rapidly growing movement in Austin, TX. The company described as “The First Community Inspired Coworking and Wellness Facility Dedicated to Helping Each Of Its Members Live Happier, Healthier, More Abundant Lives” has added “Good Causes” to its offering in efforts to provide much needed support to those disadvantaged in the Austin area and beyond. On August 23rd they held their inaugural event to raise funds and awareness for the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin. The event, which drew over 150 people, featured talks by both Mark Willis and acclaimed Executive Leadership Coach James Larson around the topic “How to Live Your Best Life Possible.”
“The mission of Good Society, and more importantly Good Causes, is to provide those interested in reaching their highest potential with experiences that improve their lives while also giving them an opportunity to effect change in the lives of those around them. We want our events to inspire connectedness and charitable action, and hope that the positive impact is then reciprocated within the communities we serve.” – Mark Willis, Co-Founder of Good Society
The event was a success, creating 6,800 meals for those in need. Beyond raising awareness and funds, Good Society’s membership also grew due to the powerful experiences that the company provides its members – all driven by the collective ethos that global transformation comes from personal transformation; and that personal transformation starts with a collective focus on mind, body, work, and life.
“There is a fundamental shift happening right now in society where people feel their needs are unmet and want to live lives of purpose and meaning, rather than simply existing in survival mode. Our members are drawn to being around others who seek to improve their lives and the world around them.” – Brandon Jones, Co-Founder, Good Society
For more information on Good Society and “Good Causes,” or for information on attending upcoming events, visit http://www.goodsociety.com. For information on how you can contribute to the Central Texas Food Bank and its mission to distribute the freshest and healthiest food possible to those in need, visit http://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org, or call Financial Donation Assistance: 512-220-2680.
NEW YORK, Sept. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In the last five years, over 62,000 children from El Salvador have arrived at the U.S. border without their parents. The risk of this dangerous journey, along routes controlled by criminal smugglers, outweighs the dangers at home, where gangland wars between MS-13 and Barrio 18 have led to El Salvador having the world’s highest murder rate for children. Even schools are not exempt from violence. “We fear reprisals from the gangs. Any decision you take and they don’t like, like disciplinary action against a pupil, can bring a threat,” says one teacher.
The Salvadoran government has made countless efforts to combat violence inside the schools with little success. But today there is change. For his work in “creating cultures of peace inside the schools,” Ilchi Lee, president of IBREA Foundation, will receive the José Simeón Cañas National Award by President Salvador Sánchez Cerén of El Salvador on September 12 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in San Salvador. IBREA Foundation is a NYC-based nongovernmental organization having consultative status with the United Nations, whose mission is to empower individuals to understand themselves better, enhance their motivation, and be more mindful of their life choices and behaviors.
Since 2011, IBREA Foundation has provided its specialized holistic education program in El Salvador’s schools, which combines physical movement, endurance training, breathing techniques, readings and journaling, group work, and more. Through a process of managing strong stressors in the brain and body, students find ways to cope with the challenging circumstances of daily life. Says one student, Laura, whose mother was killed at the hands of a street gang: “IBREA’s program gave me tools to relieve my stress, my anger, my resentment. I see many kids around me falling into gang networks. I learned that if I don’t give up in my choice for peace, people around me don’t give up, and so will the people around them. That’s how we can eradicate violence.”
The award to Mr. Lee was made possible by the outpouring of gratitude from the many teachers who witnessed the improved security of their schools and the lives of their students change for the better. IBREA’s program now reaches 25 percent of all public schools in El Salvador.
