The City of Fort Collins Human Relations Commission has announced the recipients of the 2017 Human Relations Awards who were honored at a ceremony this week.
Recipients were chosen for their promotion of acceptance and diversity in Fort Collins. Nominations were accepted in five categories. The recipients, who were honored Tuesday, December 5:
Youth – Herman Chavez, a Rocky Mountain High School senior, who serves as a peer counselor, an officer in the school’s LGBT club and a leader of presentations on sexual assault.
Adult – Dr. Janina Farinas, a practicing family therapist and founder of La Cocina, which offers no-cost therapeutic services to Latino individuals and families in community-based and at-home settings.
Senior – Sue Ferguson, former Executive Director of Women’s Center and United Way of Fort Collins, who has worked as a leader and organizer of the Sanctuary Church designation for Foothills Unitarian Church.
Organization – ChildSafe, Northern Colorado’s only comprehensive outpatient treatment program for child and adult victims of childhood abuse, particularly child sexual abuse, and their non-offending family members.
Police and Emergency Services – Lt. Jeremy Yonce, who was instrumental in the creation of Campus West Connections and Outreach Fort Collins, a program focused on the safety and vibrancy of downtown Fort Collins and connecting vulnerable populations to supportive services.