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Men Making NEWS
Wednesday June 30th, 2010
A former homeless man and single father who now counsels homeless men; a refugee of Hurricane Katrina who started a new life in Napa; and a city employee who works to improve living conditions for people in vulnerable situations were honored June 17 as "men making news" by Napa Emergency Women's Services.
Also honored with a lifetime achievement award as a male role model was John Glaser, the retiring Napa Valley Unified School District superintendent.
The awards were given during a luncheon took place at the Meritage Resort and Spa.
Gilberto Flores, a single parent of two daughters, ages 5 and 1, was named 2010 Father of the Year. After living in the Samaritan Shelter, Flores turned his life around and now works at the shelter, where he mentors other homeless men and encourages them to take responsibility for themselves.
He was nominated by shelter manager Charlene Horton, who said Flores "did everything he could to make it right for his family."
Stevie Lewis, a New Orleans native who survived Katrina, was named Young Man of the Year. Lewis inspired fellow Adult Education students and was the class speaker on June 9 when he received his high school diploma. He attended the award ceremony with his wife and daughter.
He was nominated by Barbara Stone, who commended Lewis for his "optimism, commitment and perseverance."
Joseph Wiencek, 55, the City of Napa Housing Rehabilitation Specialist, was named Male Role Model of the Year. He is an advocate for improving living conditions for domestic violence victims and low-income seniors.
"He gets things done," said Napa Mayor Jill Techel. "He can go toe-to-toe with anybody."
Nominees also included:
- Father of the Year: Hal Aguirre, Tom Smith, Javier Gloria, James Armstrong and Barry Martin.
- Young Man of the Year: Anthony Sullivan, Gabriel Zaragoza and Angel Avina.
- Male Role Model of the Year: Tom Webber, Scott Murdock, Ron Ruggiero, Armond Phillips, Pastor Pete Shaw, Randy Snowden, Sheriff Doug Koford, Barry Martin, Steve Carlson, Richard Coshnear and Paul Gero.
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