The Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards will be honoring Riverside County youth for many years to come thanks to the creation of an endowment from the event’s namesake Jamil Dada. Jamil currently serves as Vice Chair of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board. Also, a long-time member of the Governor’s California Workforce Development Board and the National Association of Workforce Boards in Washington, D.C.. Jamil formally announced the creation of the endowment last month at the annual youth awards hosted at the March Field Air Museum.
“Every year, we hear incredible stories of youth throughout Riverside County who are overcoming the odds and achieving success at our Youth Opportunity Centers, despite their life situations. It’s great to see lives changed for the better and to know that these workforce programs are making a tangible impact. I truly believe we are making a substantial difference in many lives, and I want to ensure that we can continue this good work in honoring our youth well into the future.” Jamil Dada, Vice Chair, Riverside County Workforce Development Board
For the past ten years, the annual youth awards event has celebrated several outstanding youths from the County’s Youth Opportunity Centers who have shown exemplary character while overcoming some of life’s most significant challenges. The 2024 youth awardees were presented with a $2,500 educational scholarship, a trophy award, and legislative certificates. The 2024 awardees included:
- Aeon Agundez, Lake Elsinore
- Alondra Flores-Perez, Lake Elsinore
- Virginia Finlayson, Lake Elsinore
- Alexzander Romero, Perris
- Fabian Gomez-Robles, Perris
- Arely Guadalupe Jimenez Mendoza, Jurupa Valley
- Genesis Thania Gomez Amaya, Jurupa Valley
- Penelope Garcia, Jurupa Valley
- Roberto Villarino, Hemet
- Neo Middleby, Hemet
In spite of difficult and sometimes tragic situations, these young people have been identified as leaders in their communities, determined to earn a high school diploma, and/or in pursuit of a post-secondary education. After being nominated, a panel of evaluators determined that awardees exemplified two or more of the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
The 2024 award event featured keynote speaker Stewart Knox, Secretary of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency. The event was hosted by Master of Ceremony, Rob McMillan, ABC7 Eyewitness News Inland Empire bureau chief.
The Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards Program is named after local, state and federal youth advocate, Jamil Dada. Mr. Dada currently serves as the Riverside County Workforce Development Board Vice Chair, is a longtime member of the California Workforce Development Board, and past Chair of the National Association of Workforce Boards. The annual event and youth scholarships are funded through generous contributions from local businesses, community partners, non-profit agencies, and net proceeds from event tickets sales. According to Mr. Dada, “This is an amazing and important program that supports youth, particularly those who are disconnected, helping them achieve their educational goals and dreams.”
For more information or to donate to the Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards program, please contact Riverside County Works, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board, by email at RiversideCountyWorks@rivco.org.