Neighbor: LMC counselor, mentor wins Chavez Educator of the Year Award

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Since attending LMC, Godinez completed an associate of arts degree in liberal arts and moved on to attend Cal State East Bay (Hayward) and receive his degree in sociology. He later attended John F. Kennedy University to earn his master's degree in counseling psychology.

"I've come full circle, starting my education at LMC and now working with students here," said Godinez, who is an Antioch High School graduate.

In 2001 a former instructor of Godinez's started a special program when he noted that the Latino students weren't moving up to higher education classes. The professor contacted Godinez about the program and invited him to come work at the school. The Puente Program offers a chance for "underrepresented" students to learn more about the options open to them. The program introduces two major components. One being rigorous English instruction and the other personal academic counseling.

"After the program was instituted, the organizers saw that the rate was moving up," he said. "It is a very important program to these students."

Godinez's work with the Puente Program is just one of the reasons why he was chosen as the Cesar Chavez Educator of the Year Award recipient for this year. The award, which is given out through LMC, is an East County award presented to individuals who exemplify the values that Cesar Chavez held. The nominee must show service to his or her community, sacrifice, helping the most needy, determination, nonviolence, tolerance, respect for life, celebrating community, knowledge and innovation. For this award the recipient must also be an educator in East County.

Godinez fit the profile of the award not only with his work at LMC but also his volunteer efforts in the community. He works for organizations such as the Lynn Center for Special Needs Children and STAND for Domestic Violence. He also provides therapy for foster children in Contra Costa County.
If that doesn't keep him busy, Godinez also works with the Brother-to-Sister program at LMC, which is a student club that works with at-risk high school students throughout East County in a mentor program to get the youths out of gangs and away from drugs and trouble.

The Brother-to-Sister program is also part of the One Day at a Time program out of LMC, which Godinez is also involved in. One Day at a Time also mentors at-risk high school students.
He is also involved in the United Latino Voice, which is a county coalition that advocates Latino issues.

"Winning the Cesar Chavez Educator of the Year Award was a great honor for me and couldn't have come at a more important time in my life," Godinez said. "Right before I won the award my father passed away. Getting the award showed me how important the values that my mother and father taught me are and how important it is to give back."