"Believing in Youth"
Award Recipient:

Jose Guzman

A former major league pitcher, Jose Guzman was born in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico. Signed by the Texas Rangers as an amateur free agent in 1981, he made his major league debut September 10, 1985 against the Oakland Athletics. Guzman compiled an 80-74 record in 13 career major league appearances with the Rangers and the Chicago Cubs. During his baseball career his honors included Rangers' "Pitcher of the Year" and American League "Comeback Player of the Year." Mr. Guzman is entering his sixth season as the home game Texas Rangers analyst for KFLC Radio. Jose also makes appearances on behalf of the Rangers, supporting the team's Hispanic community efforts in area schools encouraging youth to stay in school. In addition, he contributes his time and resources to Tarrant area charitable organizations including Meals on Wheels, GRACE, and agencies serving children and youth in foster care. Those who know him best describe Jose Guzman as "a good guy with a big heart" who sets an example of achievement by his positive attitude and hard work.

2010 Community Hero Award Recipients

Jacinto Ramos, Jr.

For over 10 years Jacinto has volunteered a week of his time to return to Camp CommUNITY, a youth diversity leadership camp sponsored by Multicultural Alliance (MCA), as a volunteer staff member. Jacinto is a exemplary volunteer because he exhibits the goals of Camp CommUNITY in his everyday life by supporting young people through the process of: 1) learning more about their own cultures and the cultures; 2) encouraging and empowering young people to voice their opinions; 3) gaining personal awareness of how discrimination, stereotypes and oppression impact their lives and how to be a social change agent; 4) building an environment for dialogue and inclusion.

Jacinto whole-heartedly believes in the importance of empowering youth and enabling youth to have resources and opportunities that he gives back to the community where he grew up, advising All Saints Catholic Church of North Side's youth group and teaching confirmation class.

Jacinto is a role model to youth and adults. Youth respect him and know they can count on him.
Currently he is a volunteer for Camp CommUNITY
- He is working with The Multicultural Alliance to start a high school club in North Side to support students who attended Camp CommUNITY as well as work toward creating an inclusive and safe environment for students at North Side to talk about and act on issues of diversity and injustice (current)
- Confirmation class teacher at All Saints Catholic Church in North Side (current)
- Youth Group leader at All Saints Catholic Church in North Side (current)
- Boy Scout Troup Leader (past)
He was awarded the "Superior Achievement National Award" through the National Organization of Hispanics in Criminal Justice
Jacinto embodies all the criteria for the award and exemplifies believing in youth.

Debbie Simmons

Debbie is committed to youth and families throughout Tarrant County. She has helped many families build stronger relationships with each other, by giving them hope for a better way of life. She will go out of her way to help a family in need. She provides a caring compassion toward youth by being a positive role model, therefore instilling in them the tools for a better tomorrow.
I witnessed Debbie as she arrived early one Saturday morning to do volunteer work at a Section 8 apartment housing. She was there as an advocate for young people. She provided them with community resource information and knowledge about safety, school, family programs, counseling, drugs, etc. She worked diligently making sure everyone had plenty of knowledge and free food! She loves young people! It was great watching her interact and making a difference in the lives of so many young people. Debbie has gone on several mission trips where she has worked with children, teenagers and families. She goes there to help, build hope, and encourage them to love one another as well as keeping their faith strong. She has been to Africa, China, Venezuela, Russia (multiple times). She goes because she cares and has a compassion for the better well being of people. She is a great example of a great humanitarian. She says she has always had a heart for young people. She is also a youth minister where she has worked countless hours to help needy kids. She is known to help young people go back to school while others work on earning a GED. She even let a boy live with her family for a week while he was studying for a test. She tutors, transports, and when needed will spend money out of her own pocket! A 6th grader once needed sand for a school science project. His parents did not have the money so she bought him what he needed to complete his science project. She taught elementary age children in her past years. She has a big heart for all young people and their families. She is a real Sweetheart!
She receives a lot of satisfaction watching young people make better choices. She believes her greatest accomplishment was adopting a little Vietnamese girl.

2010 Moncrief Awards Pictures