On May 8, Las Candelas was honored to receive the Character & Ethics Project Community Award for the guiding principles of loyalty, compassion and citizenship.  The presentation was held at the Glendale Unified School District boardroom at 5:30 p.m. The mission of Las Candelas (founded in 1953) is to provide volunteer services to emotionally challenged children and promote better understanding of mental health. In addition to supporting children who are a part of the YWCA Domestic Violence Program, the 40 members of Las Candelas offer support and services to children at Hathaway-Sycamores, Hillsides Education Center, Glendale Healthy Kids and Didi Hirsch Mental Health.

Lisa Raggio made the presentation to Las Candelas. She said that the YWCA is grateful for the long-term charitable donations, support and commitment of Las Candelas in making a significant difference in the lives of their client children. The Las Candelas financial donation provides summer camperships for the YWCA’s most needy children clients of domestic violence, those who benefit most from the Summer Camp experience. As a result of the Las Candelas donation, six domestic violence children clients went to camp for five weeks.

At this Community Awards ceremony, Las Candelas was honored to receive award certificates of recognition, commendation and appreciation from the following dignitaries: Congressman Adam Schiff, Senator Carol Liu, Assemblymember Mike Gatto, County of Los Angeles Supervisor Michael Antonovich, Glendale Mayor Zareh Sinanyan, Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and GUSD Superintendent Dr. Richard M. Sheehan.

The mistresses of ceremony for the event were Dr. Kelly King and Raggio.