Outstanding Program Staff Member Award 2007

Estella Perez has long been an advocate for at-risk youth and their families by first becoming educated on the issues of child abuse prevention and intervention herself and then teaching others. Her extensive training in child development is shared by one-on-one teaching with young parents, writing magazine articles on child development, and providing in-service to other service providers. She is a tireless advocate for youth and their families with schools, courts and community resources, and she has given hundreds of volunteer hours to schools, childcare centers, Head Start Programs, Ronald McDonald House and other venues that serve children and families in need. For four years she did presentations on child development for the National Association for the Education of Young Children-Week of the Young Child. She is held with the highest regard throughout her region for being a true advocate for youth and families, for being dependable and for meeting the challenges that she faces with determination.

Estella is an ambassador for the STAR Program and for child abuse prevention. She long ago recognized the importance of intervention as well as prevention in affecting changes regarding child abuse and neglect and she has made it her life’s work to be a part of that change at the grassroots level. Estella’s long-time career of working with youth started with her own five sons. As a military wife, often left to raise her sons alone while her husband was shipped out, she was an active parent in all aspects of her sons’ lives. She went on to earn her BA Degree at age 58, and she continues to seek out opportunities to learn and educate her about the issues facing today’s youth.

Always, believing that “change is possible” Estella is able to contract with youth of all ages, encouraging them to learn from their mistakes and move forward. No child is too tough, and no issue to challenging for Estella to take on. She looks beyond the troublesome behavior, fear, and loneliness to find their strengths and resources. She has the extraordinary ability to gain the trust of youth that she works with. Her focus always steadfast, she is often heard saying, “It’s about the kids”. She’s caring, stubborn, funny, loyal, and tireless, with an unwavering commitment to reaching troubled youth. She has touched the lives of hundreds and made a significant difference, one child at a time