Finding the true heroes among us

When local government no longer feels like getting involved with our

social issues, the impact on a community can be shattering.

A worst-case scenario might be found south of the border. If

you’ve been in Tijuana, Mexico, you know what I’m talking about. New

Orleans may end up as another example.

Members of our community in the Newport-Mesa area, especially in

Costa Mesa, have responded well to some social problems despite being

abandoned by a majority of city officials.

If you haven’t noticed, we have real heroes in our communities.

They aren’t those pulp-fiction types who come out of nowhere to save

innocent lives from street thugs, drug traffickers and criminal

organizations.

Although these people make little money, they work hard inside

nonprofit organizations to fight both government red tape and street

thugs. In previous columns, I highlighted Girls Inc. and Mika and the

superb work they do in the community. Mika is a relatively new

nonprofit organization, but it has already shown the character and

ability to lead.

In addition, the Boy Scouts of America, the Red Cross and your

community church are also nonprofit groups. Had it not been for the

Red Cross, we would have lost more lives in New Orleans. Shame on the

federal government.

This past weekend, I took part in a fundraiser at the Balboa Bay

Club and Resort in Newport Beach. The event was organized by Think

Together, a nonprofit organization.

Think Together can trace its roots back to 1994 in the Shalimar

neighborhood on the Westside. Tired of being bullied, local mothers

organized to take their neighborhood back from street gangs.

A shooting in the neighborhood triggered the response of the

community. Church leaders and civic activists joined the mothers to

form the Shalimar Learning Center, which led to the foundation of

Think Together in 1997.

Think Together grew fast in Costa Mesa and reached out to other

cities in Orange County as well. The organization’s major

contribution in the community is developing after-school programs,

which broadly benefit students of low-income families and ameliorate

problems among so-called “at-risk youth.”

Workers and volunteers at Think Together target children whose

first language isn’t English. They nurture math, science and computer

literacy in students across ethnic lines. According to Think

Together, there are over 3,000 students benefiting from its programs.

At the meeting, I saw leaders from the business sector as well as

community organizers and some concerned politicians. Most of our

Costa Mesa representatives were absent, though Councilwoman Katrina

Foley stayed from the beginning to the end of the gathering.

During the ceremony, former Republican Rep. Chris Cox received the

Frances Munoz Award for “providing extensive support in helping Think

Together further its mission of providing academic support for

at-risk students.” His leadership brought cash from Washington during

his tenure.

By the way, I met Judge Munoz many years ago, and I agree with the

people at Think Together who called her “a truly legendary figure in

our community for her service to the underserved.” Munoz is one of

the founding board members of the organization.

Last year, the Founder’s Award went to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian

Church for providing the seed money for the Shalimar Learning Center

and for supporting Think Together since 1994. This year the Irvine

Co. received the same recognition.

All of us should remember that at times of crisis, nonprofit

organizations, and not the government, have responded quickly to our

calls. Their survival depends on their ability to raise money to

implement their programs. A commitment of five or 10 dollars a month

won’t hurt your finances. Get on the phone and show your support to

our heroes. Mika can be reached at (949) 545-0075; Girls Inc. at

(949) 646-7181; Think Together at (714) 543-3807.

* HUMBERTO CASPA is a Costa Mesa resident and bilingual writer. He

can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].