Pacoima : San Fernando Gardens Panel Honors 9 People

For their contributions to the residents of the San Fernando Gardens public housing development, nine Angelenos were lauded Thursday night by the development’s resident advisory council.

Josephine Barry, who has volunteered at San Fernando Gardens for two years, was honored for her work establishing a tutoring program. Barry, who is Harvard-Westlake School’s community affairs director, was also singled out for coordinating parent efforts at the private school to donate 12 computers and Thanksgiving turkeys to the residents.

A deputy accepted an award for City Councilman Richard Alarcon. The councilman, who represents the area, was recognized for his involvement in an annual Christmas toy drive, which gathered and distributed more than 1,000 teddy bears, games and dolls for San Fernando Gardens youngsters.

For his community-based policing program at San Fernando Gardens, Officer Julian Felix of the Housing Authority police force was recognized as well.

Also honored at the 50-member resident advisory council meeting were the development’s senior case manager Mario Matute; program coordinator Celia Hoover; senior gardener Steve Paskowitz; community volunteer Bettye Moore; manager Michael Kalinowski; and attorney Caron Caines of San Fernando Valley Legal Services.

More than 2,000 people live in San Fernando Gardens, which sprawls over 33 1/2 acres in Pacoima. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles operates the development.