On Friday, the College of Social Work honored seven people and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service to the community involving equality and social justice.
The Pete Suazo Social Justice Awards, which were created eight years ago in honor of a former Utah representative and senator who spent years organizing events for youth in the community, commend individuals and groups who show similar efforts to improve neighborhoods.
“The people who are receiving the award are those who followed his vision,” said Jannah Mather, dean of the college.
Suazo’s family presented the awards to five people and the Central Region Refugee Support Team in the Department of Workforce Services and the Human Rights Education Center of Utah.
Denise Castañeda, a senior in social justice and education at the U, was one of the five awarded for her community efforts.
Castañeda received the award for her individual advocacy for immigrant rights, such as fighting the recent bill to prevent undocumented students from working in order to continue to receive in-state tuition. Castañeda has testified before legislative committees and lobbied against repealing the in-state tuition discount for undocumented students in past legislative sessions.
“My success is the success of my community,” she said.
Castañeda’s other achievements include being a student
ambassador for first-generation and low-income students and completing more than 100 community service hours annually. She said she wanted to give back to the community to “create change.”
Sandra Asbury, another award recipient, was recognized because of her work teaching mentally disabled people customer service and sales skills in her antique store.
Jason Castillo, a social work professor at the U who attended the ceremony, said people are making a difference everywhere and times are changing for the better.
“This is a season of change,” he said. “I’m excited for the opportunities and challenges that await us.”
Other award recipients include Forrest Crawford, a teacher education professor at Weber State University who organized lectures, conferences and seminars to educate about diversity; Linda Hilton, the resource manager and group director of Salt Lake’s Crossroads Urban Center and director of the Coalition of Religious Communities, a multi-faith organization that advocates economic equality and justice for the homeless and low-income individuals; and Sheila Walsh-McDonald for her work presenting arguments to legislation about health care for low-income families.
Students in the college were planning an annual diversity conference in 2001 when Suazo passed away, and they decided to create the awards in honor of Suazo’s commitment to social justice and equality for everyone.
Farriña Coulam, director of the awards, described Suazo as “Utah’s hero,” comparing him to Martin Luther King Jr. and César Chávez.
Patrick HarringtonU student, Denise Castaneda spoke after receiving the Pete Suazo award for Social Justice, for her commitment to justice, equality and education in her community. Six others were also honored at the ceremony.