The Collegian

Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Melodie Olson Lasallian Tradition. Contra Costa County honors Saint Mary's for outreach.

On October 27, Saint Mary's College was one of this year's 12 recipients of the Contra Costa Human Relations Commission Achievement Award. The college received this award at the fourth-annual awards banquet at the Deputy Sheriffs Association and was hosted by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and the Human Relations Commission. Here, the 12 recipients were recognized and honored for their outreach efforts and commitment to giving back to Contra Costa County.

To honor Saint Mary's at this banquet, the Director of Community and Government Relations Lisa Douglass accepted the award on behalf of the school. Douglass said, "As an alum of Saint Mary's I was very proud to receive the award on behalf of the college due to the fact that Contra Costa County is acknowledging the College's outreach efforts, as well as our providing of teachers and scholarships."

Among the crowd of the 120 attendees sat the other 11 recipients. These recipients included Marc S. Grisham, City Manager (Pittsburg), Bobby Arnold, West Coast Children's Clinic, Courtland Booze, Mary Perez, Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility, Shelter Inc., H. Abram Wilson, mayor of San Ramon, Mary and Eizo Kobayashi (Concord), and OPTIC. Saint Mary's was the only school or college that received an award.

In addition to the award, the 12 beneficiaries were honored for "bridging the gap-helping others live better lives through their commitment to community service," said Douglass.

This award was given to Saint Mary's by the Human Relations Commission, which was established by the Board of Supervisors. This commission was created in order for the Board of Supervisors to be more informed of issues regarding positive human relations and community agreement among all who live in or visit Contra Costa County.

The Human Relations Commission also insures that residents and visitors of the community may take pleasure in an equal opportunity to live, grow, learn, work, play, worship, and exercise standard responsibilities. This commission admires and provides educational programs that will amplify generosity among the citizens of Contra Costa County. Another goal of theirs is to prevent acts of discrimination.

Saint Mary's was recognized by the Contra Costa County Human Relations Commission for its involvement in the country through active community outreach, for providing teachers for community colleges, for attendance on county boards, and for providing scholarships for capable students who are less fortunate.

Besides being honored for community service, this award facilitates larger connections for the school. As more organizations and individuals hear about Saint Mary's more opportunities are opened for students and teachers alike.

In addition to Brentwood Press coverage, this gala was also recorded by Contra Costa Television (CCTV), channel 27, and will air on Monday, November 20 at 9 p.m., or on Tuesday, November 21 at 10 a.m.

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