HUNTINGTON PARK : Emma Gutierrez Is Parent of the Year

Whenever a parent volunteer has been needed in recent years in Huntington Park, city officials and activists have known they could rely on Emma Gutierrez.

For anti-graffiti efforts, parent outreach seminars and simple, yet time-consuming projects such as bake sales and food drives, the married mother of three not only has volunteered her services, she has organized these efforts as well.

In recognition of her work, Gutierrez was honored last week as a “Parent of the Year” by Parents Today, an education program run in conjunction with the United Way and sponsored by MoneyGram, a subsidiary of American Express.

Gutierrez was among three Southland parents honored at a Dec. 3 ceremony at All People’s Christian Center in South-Central Los Angeles.

The 20 nominees were judged on the following: solid parenting skills, actions that serve as a role model to others and efforts that help show any goal is achievable.

Living in a community made up largely of recent immigrants from Latin America, Gutierrez--who came from Guadalajara, Mexico, 17 years ago--has served as an example of the kind of parent who has made sure the system benefits her children.

“Our schools in this area are so crowded with students that parents don’t know what to do,” said Gutierrez, whose children are 8, 10 and 16. “On top of the crowding, many can’t speak English and have trouble communicating with teachers and administrators. Many parents have trouble being straightforward about their children’s needs.”

Not Gutierrez.

“Emma has the ability to show a group of parents what they need to know when facing big problems like illiteracy or graffiti,” said Marcos Vega, who as chairman of the Juvenile Assistance Diversion Effort (Project JADE), nominated Gutierrez for the award.

Project JADE is a delinquency prevention program providing family counseling and parent education services to residents of the Southeast area. For three years, Gutierrez has volunteered with Project JADE, most recently heading its anti-graffiti task force.

Gutierrez is also president of the Parent Advisory Council and Shared Decision-Making Leadership group at Miles Elementary School.