[Excerpt]

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the anti-poverty program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has named Ms. Ivonn Rivera of the Diocese of San Jose as the recipient of the 2023 Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award. Each year, this prestigious award from the CCHD recognizes a young adult who demonstrates leadership in fighting poverty and injustice in the United States through community-based solutions... 

Ms. Rivera is a wife, mother, and community leader in San Jose. As a member of her parish’s organizing team with Silicon Valley Sponsoring Committee (SVSC), which receives funding from CCHD, she organizes monthly Misas del barrio, helping to bring the Eucharist to those affected by vandalism, gangs, drugs, and violence. The Masses are paired with listening sessions, which uncover community concerns and identify potential new leaders. Through the parish’s work with SVSC, Ivonn has led efforts to raise community needs with local officials.

The grassroots efforts undertaken by SVSC have won victories that benefit the local community, such as stop signs, crosswalks, and repair of streetlights to improve safety. She and her community have also contributed to efforts that have led to large victories, such as eviction protections for renters and assistance for essential workers who had been left out of state and federal relief. Active in her parish, Ivonn’s work is inspired by her faith and a strong belief that all people deserve to live with dignity....

[Top Photo Credit: Catholic Campaign for Human Development]

San Jose's Woman's Fight to Keep Neighborhood Safe Receives National Recognition, NBC Bay Area

Ivonn Rivera is the 2023 Winner of CCHD’s Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award, Catholic Campaign for Human Development