Willie Lopez possesses a unique combination of skills and abilities. He has technical workplace expertise and an excellent track record of accomplishment; however, as impressive and equally meritorious is his commitment and dedication to the youth and families with whom he works in our community. Prior to his present assignment in the Placement/Aftercare Unit, working with some of the most challenging juveniles in our County, Willie was assigned to the Court Community Schools for ten years. As an example of his effectiveness, he challenged all twenty-three Community School North students to maintain a 100% attendance for the first six weeks of 2000-2001. Willie's personal involvement with the students with whom he worked and his "challenge" resulted in a stable attendance level of 98%, and 97% for the entire 1999-2000 school year. Such an attendance record had never been accomplished in the history of Community Schools in San Mateo County. As a result of his outstanding work with the special students in our Community Schools, Willie was recognized by the County Superintendent of Schools, by the County Board of Education, and by the Probation Department when he left the program. After transferring from his Community Schools assignment to his present responsibilities working in the Placement/Aftercare Unit, he has established a similar record of accomplishment. In recent months Willie established an Anger Management course at the Police Athletic League in Redwood City for Placement/Aftercare minors in school, and he is assisting in starting a similar program on the coast. He also created an etiquette course for minors in Redwood City. It is also not infrequent that, out of his own pocket he provides clothing for kids who are going for job interviews, and he routinely is active in the community to assist juveniles in our system and their families. In addition to the day-to-day excellence he models with his duties in the Placement/Aftercare Unit, last Thanksgiving Willie arranged for turkeys for 35 needy families. He helped raise over $3,100 for food and clothing prior to Christmas for 35 needy families, including a gift for every adolescent in the families. He arranged for the donation of two "big screen" televisions at the Juvenile Hall. After the earthquakes that ravaged El Salvador, Willie raised over $10,000 for the quake victims, he coordinated the donation and delivery of hundreds of pounds of clothing and shoes for needy children, and he took vacation time to travel to El Salvador to deliver the funds and goods. While there, he helped open a local orphanage, started a graffiti abatement program, and he talked with many of the local juveniles about the problems with gangs. Our County is fortunate to have Willie Lopez as one of its outstanding employees. |
