Luis G. Perez

Activities & Honors:
Judge Perez has been widely recognized for his involvement in significant and continuous efforts to serve the growing and diverse Latino community for the past 30 years, as well as for community service dedicated to improving the quality of life for children in the Worcester area. For the past several years, the U.S. Government has invited Judge Perez to conduct lectures in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Venezuela and Spain on juvenile justice reforms. Judge Perez has led many initiatives dedicated to advocating and promoting children's rights and services. Further, Judge Perez has been the recipient of many certificates and awards in recognition of his advocacy roles, not only from the Latino community, but also from the Worcester community in general. In 1999, Judge Perez along with Congressman James P. McGovern brought together many concerned individuals and institutions and developed the Worcester Working Coalition for Latino Students. The coalition created the Latino Education Institute in close partnership with Worcester State College. The Kellogg Foundation recently awarded the Latino Education Institute over a million-dollar grant. Judge Perez has served on many board of directors and charitable organizations. Along with other community members, he was a catalyst in the establishment of the first Latino grass roots community advocacy organization in Worcester A.L.P.A. (Asociacion Latina Para Progreso Y Accion), the first Hispanic Parents Advisory Council on Bilingual Education, the first drug treatment program for Hispanics, Primera Parada, the first Hispanic softball league named after baseball legend Roberto Clemente, the advocacy and research group, La Cumbre, and Centro Las Americas, a multi-service and cultural center.