Frontline Soldiers Honors Nine
Pathways to Your Future (PTYF): 25th Frontline Soldiers Awards Wall of Fame Breakfast and Fundraiser
Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Frontline Soldiers Awards Wall of Fame Founder Gerald E. Thompson at the 25th annual event on Oct. 11 at the Proud Bird in Inglewood. (KENNETH MILLER/PHOTO)
By Allana B. Duncan| Special to South Bay Black Journal
On the morning of Oct.11 , Pathways to Your Future (PTYF) hosted its 25th Frontline Soldiers Awards Wall of Fame Breakfast and Fundraiser at The Proud Bird in Los Angeles. The Frontline Soldiers Wall of Fame acknowledges individuals who overcame personal challenges and serve on the frontline as soldiers in their communities committed to fighting social issues such as hunger, homelessness, poverty, substance abuse and violence.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (center) and Frontline Soldiers Awards organizers at the 25th annual event on Oct.11 at the Proud Bird in Inglewood. (KENNETH MILLER/PHOTO)
Emceed by comedian Joe Torry, attendees laughed and delighted their appetites as they celebrated the incredible work of PYTF and other community organizations. Keynote speaker Veronica Lewis, former Director of SSG Division “HOPICS” gave an insightful speech about the importance of prioritizing the overall wellbeing of nonprofit and community organization employees and volunteers to guarantee their ability to provide the highest standard of service. Congresswoman Maxine Waters shared a powerful message reminding attendees of the importance of the upcoming Statewide Special Election next month and value of citizens of the Los Angeles’s community’s vote.
The organization inducted nine new members into its Frontline Soldiers Awards Wall of Fame: Richard Ayoub, CEO of Project Angelfood, Melvyn Hayward, Senior Director, Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD), Stanzo Jackson, Broker at Movon Realty, Noreen McClendon, Executive Director of Concerned Citizens of South Central Los Angeles, Alonza Mitchell, Founder of New Beginnings Fellowship Center, Michelle Perkins, Founder and Executive Director of Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Program, Inc., Denise Shook, Director of Behavioral Health Services, Franco Vega, Executive Director of The RightWay Foundation, and Troy Vaughn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Christ-Centered Ministries.
Founded in 2004 by Gerald E. Thompson, Pathways to Your Future (PTYF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing “comprehensive education, health and human services to reduce homelessness of underserved individuals, youth and families while promoting their development and enriching the communities they live in.”
Visit ptyf.org to learn more about Pathways to Your Future (PTYF) and the Frontline Soldiers Wall of Fame.
