In Tragedy She Found Strength to Share

As director for Proyecto Latino, Vicky Chavez fights for the rights of Spanish-speaking victims of violent crime. In a small office at El Centro Mental Health and Human Services Corp. in East Los Angeles, the 59-year-old grandmother runs the state-funded project by herself. Chavez answers calls from victims seeking financial, medical and legal information. Often she counsels victims and survivors in their homes. She understands their plight . In 1981 her 21-year-old daughter was murdered. Chavez spoke to View Staff Writer Michael Quintanilla about her crusade for justice.

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“My passion for Proyecto Latino comes from my love for the Latino people and for the need I see and know that exists in Spanish-speaking communities. In the last six years I have assisted more than 7,000 families who have been victimized: robbed, beaten, (a family member) killed.

“The Spanish-speaking--many of them--don’t trust the Establishment. They don’t want to make one false move after they have been victimized because they fear any report they make will be (forwarded) to Immigration.

“When they come to this country, they are victims all the way across. They are assaulted by coyotes (people who smuggle immigrants). They come here and live in flophouses, people take advantage of them, they get beaten up in the streets and alleys, their money stolen.

“But that’s why I am here--because I understand their culture, their language, their needs. I’ve lived through it.

“Elaine was stabbed to death almost 13 years ago because she testified to witnessing a murder. For years after Elaine’s death I didn’t know how to deal with my feelings. I felt a void in my life. Then I realized I needed to work with victims of violence because everything I had done before this work just wasn’t right.

“People are out there screaming for help. They need someone who understands them. Sometimes people call me to find out how to pick up the watch that belonged to their loved one who was killed or they want me to ask a detective what was the last word that person said before he died.

“One of the saddest cases I’ve handled was a man who had five children. He was on his way home from work after cashing his check for two weeks’ work. He had $500 in his pocket when gang members stopped him and asked him for money. He said he didn’t have any. They beat him up, took the $500 and threw him on some railroad tracks. The train came and ran over both of his legs. I helped that family by securing hospital assistance and just being there for his wife and children when they needed someone to listen.

“Many times I will get a survivor on the phone and I know that survivor is going through a real bad time and I say, ‘Elaine, give me the strength. I’ve got someone here who is going through a tough time.’ And you know what? Elaine helps me through it. She’s alive with me every day. Her memory lives on with my work.”

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This column tells the stories of the unsung heroes of Southern California . The column is published every other Monday. Reader suggestions may be sent to Local Hero Editor, The View Section, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.