Assemblymember Alex Lee Recognizes Latino Heritage Month Honorees

In celebration of Latino Heritage Month, Assemblymember Alex Lee honored 5 Latino community leaders with the event’s co-host Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez. Together, they recognized the honorees for their vast contributions to our local communities. 

Lourdes Calande

Lourdes Calande recently retired from the Berryessa Union School District (BUSD) after 25 years of service. She was born in Mexico City and moved to San José in 1992. During her time with BUSD, she served in several roles within the district, including as a tutor, an English-learner aide, and a second language translator-interpreter. Her dedication to supporting Spanish-speaking students and families has made a lasting impact on countless community members. 

Jaime Jaramillo

Jaime Jaramillo serves as the Executive Director of Centro De Servicios. The nonprofit organization supports low-income families by ensuring that their basic needs such as food and shelter are met. Under Jaime’s leadership, Centro De Servicios serves over 12,000 families annually and distributes 50,000 pounds of food to those in need every month. His work is crucial to guiding Centro De Servicios’ mission of addressing hunger, housing insecurity, immigration challenges, and beyond. 

Hugo Jimenez

Hugo Jimenez is a lifelong resident of San José who served as a Board Member for the Berryessa Union School District for 11 years. He also supported Berryessa students by actively volunteering for school district bond and parcel tax campaigns. In addition, he has organized a number of neighborhood events, including the Berryessa Art Festival and neighborhood cleanups. His service to the Berryessa residents has made the community a better place for all. 

Edda Rivera

Edda Rivera has dedicated her career to serving the City of Newark for over four decades. She has held a variety of roles throughout her career. In 2010, she joined the Recreation and Community Services Department, where she was instrumental in advancing community programs, special events, and outreach efforts. During the pandemic, she worked closely with the Latino community to ensure equitable access to testing and vaccinations. Edda’s commitment to Newark embodies the spirit of public service. 

Elva Wilson

Elva Wilson has dedicated herself to uplifting the culture of Mexico throughout the district. She taught Mexican Folklorico Dance at local elementary schools, and started a Spanish-language afterschool program for students. Elva also served as President of the Districtwide English Learners’ Advisory Committee at her local school district and a lector in Spanish-language masses. Since retiring, she has cofounded two local neighborhood associations as she works to improve the quality of life of her community.