damian trujillo: hello, and welcome to "comunidad del valle." i'm damian trujillo, and today we're honoring the legacy of la raza leaders on your "comunidad del valle." ♪♪♪

♪♪♪ damian: and we begin with the shop with a cop foundation here on "comunidad del valle." darrel cortez is a retired san josé cop. he is the leader of shop with a cop silicon valley. and danny acosta is a police chief. tell us where you are the chief at, danny. danny acosta: i'm a chief over at foothill-de anza community college district. damian: wow. well, welcome to the show. we know all about the shop with a cop, darrell. it's a great organization that helps the community all the time, but, you know, you need the help, and that's why you're having a fundraiser. darrel cortez: well, great. thank you for having us, damian. it's a pleasure. yes, we were--so we are celebrating 16 years of being involved in our local community. we're a latino-led nonprofit, all volunteer. danny is on our board. he's been with us since day one. he's very, very active participant and donated his time

for the marieta programs that we promote in the community. and so we are having our annual--our one and only fundraiser called fiesta with a purpose, and there is a purpose behind the celebration, and the dining, and the tequila, and mezcal tastings, and the dancing and everything else. damian: and we're looking, danny, at images from, you know, the annual holiday event where you're taking the kids to target. what's that feeling like, you and your fellow officers in uniform taking these chavalitos by the hand and walking them through the aisles, letting them pick whatever they want for the holiday? danny: it's amazing. it's so neat to see these wonderful kids with smiles on their face and having the experience on a christmas holiday type shopping, and they just don't get that feeling and they normally wouldn't get it had it--if it's--wasn't for shop with a cop and the host of volunteers that we get.

and it's--i got to tell you it's--tugs at the heart with the stories that they share. damian: yeah. and, you know, it's no secret, both, darrell and danny, that just the image of a police officer nationwide nowadays and how difficult it is for a lot of you who are in uniform. does these images soften that blow? you, danny, does the fact that you're--you know, you're with the chavalitos and you're getting backpacks and you're getting them gifts and whatnot, given the rhetoric across the country? danny: it absolutely does. it really shows them the person behind the uniform and shows what the--you know, just talking to an officer is not that scary and it's not everything that they may have been told or saw or what they see on tv. it gives them a different perspective. and it's not only them. it actually reaches a lot, some of their family members, parents, tíos, tías, whoever brings them and escorts them to the area, and they take that back to their house and their

homes and then share that with everyone. damian: yeah. and that's part of it, right, darrell, is the shopping and the backpacks and the literacy? i mean, you guys tackle everything. darrel: yes. and i want to echo danny's comments. is what we are about is about rebuilding trust in the community and through positive interactions, especially with the children so these children and families see officers through a positive lens. yeah, and it's very important for me to bring this across to your viewers, that the way that we are going to change the hearts and minds of these children and their p is to be prese engage, and interact. so these police officers--the children and the families see police officers just as regular people, right? and for many of these children that we host, especially for the annual heroes and helpers holiday shopping spree, many of them will not have a joyful holiday season if it's not--if

it wasn't for our program where we're hosting 300, almost 400 special children from our local community here to go shopping with their hero, be a firemen, police officer, and some of the military personnel stationed at moffett field air force base. damian: and we were--i was covering a story at sacred heart community services. they're giving away their free backpacks. i mean, not only are you targeting at the hearts of the children because they're gett you k something new and free, but you'saving n a lot of money in doing so. darrel: yes. well, we're going to be doing our event next week at two local elementary schools and we're going to lessen the burden of the cost of all these school supplies, and we want these children to have the tools they need to succeed in the classroom, and that is the backpacks, the school--the papers, the pens, the pencils, the rulers and that sort of equipment that they need. these are high quality backpacks,

weatherproof backpacks. and nothing brings more joy to all the volunteers, whether it be our individual donors, our corporate supporters, and the numerous volunteers to have--see the smile on these children's face when they're receiving this brand new backpack so they hit the classroom running and ready to go. damian: well, and this is where the folks at home can help. it's called the fiesta with a purpose. it's happening here in san josé on august 12th. there is the website of the shop with a cop silicon valley for more information. fiesta with a purpose. we'll talk more about what specifically will be happening aside from a tequila-testing when we continue here on "comunidad del valle." stay with us. ♪♪♪

introducucing togo's's new frech dip p sandwicheses. feataturing fresesh artisan n d piled hihigh with tendnder roast b beef, smothered d with meltyty provolonone cheese,, just enougugh chipotlele mayo and d served witith hot au j for dippining. try ththe roast bebeef or pasti french d dips today.y. onlyly at togogo's. damian: we're back here on "comunidad del valle" with darrell cortez, leader of the shop with a cop foundation, and danny acosta is chief of the foothill-de anza community college district right here in the south bay. you're retired. you're both retired from san josé pd.

danny, you decided to keep wearing the badge and the patch. tell us why you decided to serve your community in such a way. danny: you know, i think some of us need to wean off of what we done, we did, for 29 years in my case, and similar age for darrell, and some of us are a little stronger and can just retire like darrell did, but i needed to wean off and i saw the opportunity and it fit. set it uonce i cand itears now, to somebody, ahen i'lltrying to join darrell in the golf course somewhere. damian: well, you got to hit him straight though. i don't know if darrell is able to do that in the golf course now. no. darrell is--swings pretty well. darrell, so fill us in, tequila tasting and whatnot at the annual fiesta with a purpose. darrel: yes, on saturday august 12th at the silicon valley holiday inn at 1350 north first street we're going to be having our one and only fundraiser of the year with

showing our progress throughout the year, the impact that we've made working in the community, especially in marginalized disenfranchised communities here in san josé, and just to bring the community together. we have a lot of local elected officials, some other dignitaries, some corporate sponsors who have really stepped up this year and they see the value of what we're trying to achieve here working within the community and police officers to, again, rebuild that trust. so we have a great event planned, well, with we h12 high end tequila ors amadors, if youco meal. willd mezcal vendors that will be pouring their varietals for the guests. we have a live auction with some one-of-a-kind wonderful auction items with our auctioneer franco finn.

he's the hype man for the san francisco golden state warriors, and so, well, he'll be there to auction off and we can raise money because that's what sustains us and sustains any nonprofit here, to raise money so we make an impact. i also want to add that we will be doing a fund the need program where we're going to be supporting the alejo family, as you know, damian. you've covered this tragic story on the 6 o'clock news. and we have been following this family ever since this tragic, violent crime happened and we've been with the family now just a little over 9 years. and the girls, the two oldest girls, are now entering college. and we're over the moon at what they have overcome. and now they're headed to college. one is going to be attending ucla in the fall, the other one in san josé state. so we're going to try to raise some critical funds to help offset the cost of college and help out the father as well

because he's by himself now. he's done an exceptional job raising these three beautiful--the girls. damian: yeah. no. i mean, it's a--it is a tragedy, a mum killed at the hands of a family member. and that's one thing that shop with a cop has done, is you've adopted families who are victims of these violent crimes and then, as you mentioned, put 9 years going on with this family. so congrats and hats off to all of you. i know growing up, danny, we were told, "te portas bien o le llamo a la policía. behave or i'm going to call the police on you," as a little child. so you grow up to be in fear of police. that's not what we're supposed to do, right? you want to be able to trust police. danny: absolutely. you know, when the individuals need help, assistance, they should be able to trust and call without hesitation. unfortunately, that's what we were trained as--like you said, as children. we were trained the opposite. it was said that, "don't trust them, don't call them," and what have you. you know, there are those that go rogue, and they're very few,

but for the most part 99 plus percent of the officers throughout the country are there to help and want to help. they give up a lot, not just their personal times, not just the work, but then the additional personal time and efforts that they do. so this is kind of the epitome of what officers do under off-time often with the shop with a cop at the-- during the holidays. some of them work the graveyard shift and then go off work and go straight on over for the event. that's their own time. that's the type of stuff that they do, and that's what we try to reconnect, as darrell said, the community and let them have that faith and show them that there's a human being behind the uniform and the badge. damian: all right. well, we thank both of you for your continued service to our community. thank you for your efforts. darrel: oh, thank you very much.

i appreciate it, and hope that people can attend our fundraiser. they're going to have a great time, and it's going to be impactful and moving, emotional as well when you hear the story about the alejo family. damian: absolutely. well, let's share that information on our screen. thank you, gentlemen. and it's happening, again, on august 12th at the san josé holiday inn--silicon valley holiday inn in san josé north first street, the shop with a cop fiesta with a purpose. up next here on "comunidad del valle," honoring the legacies of la raza leaders. stay with us.

damian: la raza historical society is honoring the legacies of several south bay latino leaders. the honorable katherine lucero joins us. she's one of the honorees this year. she's here on "comunidad del valle." and also with us is rosanna alvarez, the vice president of the la raza historical society. ladies, welcome to the show. katherine lucero: thank you. rosanna alvarez: thank you for having us. katherine: thank you for having us.

damian: and, judge lucero, congratulations. what an honor. tell us what it feels like to be honored as one of those receiving this legacy award. katherine: it's overwhelming, damian, because, one, the other honorees are people that i've looked up to and have mentored me along the way, even if they didn't know it. you know, we're always watching for outstanding examples of the care and kindness and leadership in our communities. so i'm honored and humbled at the same time and it's hard to believe it's happening because it's a legacy award and i feel like i'm in so many ways also just getting started with my new position, but, of course, i'm very grateful. damian: well, congratulations. we do want to hear about your new position and your old position as well. but you're looking at--right now at the images of the honorees this year. and what an event. you have the honorable blanca alvarado, the former vice mayor

of the city of san josé and former county supervisor, dr. josé carrasco, who was my first professor at san josé state, so i'm so honored to see him there, of course, judge lucero, victor garza, what can you say about him, fernando zazueta, and luis valdez. boy, rosanna, what a lineup you have here, and so deserving, right? rosanna: definitely. it is the tremendous lineup. and the work of the historical society has always been to amplify, preserve, and share the historical contributions of our latino population here in santa clara valley and beyond. and so the honorees, you know, for as much as the katherine--judge katherine lucero has already shared, the work never feels finished. i think the folks, the lineup that we have of people receiving these awards are exactly those types of givers in the community, folks who have always shown up alongside community in their various roles, have impacted all of us in the work that they've done. and i'm sure that if you join us that evening on september 2nd at

the mexican heritage plaza over at the school of arts and culture you'll hear from each of them and feel the strength of their presence and understand exactly what we mean when we say the work is never finished. and i think these are lifers in the sense that they will continue to do this work in their lives while they are here with us and that many lives after them will continue to be impacted by that work. damian: no. and you're right, because i'm looking at these images, and all of these folks here, like you've mentioned, they are not done. i interviewed blanca alvarado just a few months ago, and at 80-something she's still feisty and fiery. rosanna: yes, and definitely always willing to back for community in the various ways, right? we know that community comes together, and it's always strategizing, acting, organizing for the benefit of our communities. and these folks have definitely impacted me in my journey. and i think that when you hear them in conversation with each

other that evening as they're receiving their awards from us, again, a lot of overlap. that's exactly what we experienced last year. this is our second annual awards night. well, la raza historical society has been around doing this work for a lot longer than that, but we did notice last year is that everybody's journey is kind of woven into each other's and that people collaborate and that people show up in community with community. and it is an honor, a joy, and a tremendous treat to be there alongside them on that evening and just hear from them directly. damian: very well said. and each one of those honorees has touched me personally, and yourself included, judge lucero. you've allowed me into your courtroom in the past. it's juvenile court, so access is--there is no access, but with some exceptions you've allowed me in to witness the advocacy that you have to make sure that there is justice served to the juvenile offenders.

tell us about that work and why that was important to you. katherine: well, the juvenile justice arena is, as you said, damian, often one that folks don't really get to peek into because of the confidentiality around not wanting young people to be stigmatized in a public way for harms that have been committed by them while they're just kids. the court that i served, usually at 12 to 17 was the age range, adolescence was the age range that a youth would come before me. so there was that--always that balance between wanting the community to see how our trauma-informed court system works, how our adolescent brain development centered system works while at the same time protecting that youth's identity.

it's really important work because if there's anyone on the planet that deserves a second chance is a young person who has made a mistake. and there's also a need for our community to wrap around that young person and to make sure that that young person benefits from the healing and the spiritual support of their families and their communities. it was always my kind of pattern to make sure as much family was involved, as, you know, uncles, aunts, tías, tíos, abuelos, abuelas because that is part of the healing circle and the restorative justice, and i often would have folks in the courtroom. and there was always that understanding and there was always that accountability, but there was also a real desire to

make sure that that youth was put on the right path. and that was the important work that i did, wanting to make sure kids got off that assumed pipeline to prison that often happens if a youth gets in trouble as a adolescent. damian: well, you've changed a lot of lives, a lot of families and a lot of chavalitos and chavalitas. so we thank you for your service. again, we are honoring the legacy of many latino leaders in the south bay, including judge katherine lucero. again, it's happening september 2nd at the mexican heritage plaza. there's the website for more information. la raza historical society awards gala. we'll be back after these messages. so stay with us. ♪♪♪

[bells t tolling] well well l well, what h have we herere? a mamagical placace... that's l lookin' to o get sca! withth bats...anand ghouls... and cars i in disguisese. i'i've cast ququite a spelell . withth bats...anand ghouls... and cars i in disguisese. you won'n't believe e your ! [laughteter] the spelell is cast.t. halloween n time is baback with spookok-tacular e experis in disisneyland anand diy californiaia adventurere par! halloween n time is baback with spookok-tacular e experis [lauaughter] halloween n time is baback with spookok-tacular e experis damian: we're back on "comunidad del valle" with the la raza historical society and the annual awards gala. rosanna alvarez is the vice president of [lauaughter] la raza historical society. and the honorable katherine lucero is one of the honorees this year, well-deserving. you know, and, judge lucero, we do this as community people.

we do our work not for the awards, for the recognition. we do it because we care about community, but darn it, it feels good, doesn't it, to be recognized? katherine: it does. it does. it's an affirmation, right, that we're on track. that nobody really gives a judge a lot of feedback except for maybe the court of appeal. so it's nice to know that i'm on track. damian: oh, that's great. briefly tell us about your new role with the state. katherine: so in--i started this job in january of 2022, so last year. i retired as a judicial officer and i started as the director of the office of youth and community restoration, which is within the california health and human services division. our mandate was from senate bill a23 to close the statewide youth prisons that had previously housed youth who committed the

most serious crimes in the state of california. in the--it was a round for over 100 years. and gavin newsom and his wise administration said that no more. we're not going to--the state is not going to be in the business of incarcerating youth at the state level. it's called a realignment. so youth are now cared for, treated, rehabilitated in the community settings. so what has come up in the 58 counties are 36 secure youth treatment facilities called sytfs. and so youth who would typically have been sent to a statewide facility generally far away from home in a large congregate care setting or, you know, a lot of different kids in that setting from a variety of different communities will now be cared for and treated in their communities.

santa clara county has an--a secure youth treatment facility that has some excellent programming. it's a very high quality, high touched, trauma-informed, gender-honoring, culturally-respectful programming, and that programming leads in its-- in the context of a systems of care. we're hoping that kids will do what we are calling it a step down to a less restrictive program in a--and spend the least amount of time in the highest restricted program and have actually developed the continuum of care. and so that's what my office is leading, damian. damian: well, now we know. well, we've known for a long time why you're the recipient of this award, but your legacy continues and your work continues. then finally, you know, rosanna, sometimes it's difficult to select the honorees because everybody is well-qualified. this was not difficult. i mean, this was really easy to put together, i would imagine.

rosanna: you know, it was actually difficult, and then at the same time, right, making sure that we're opening up the first couple of years with those heavy hitters because we've all been impacted by their work. and la raza's mission is to collect and share the history of la raza in santa clara valley and to educate those younger generations of our rich heritage by recognizing today's leaders. and this annual award ceremony lets us do that and make them present and appreciate them while the work is still being done. and so for as much as it's an honor and a privilege to honor this late of sixth and definitely well-deserved now and always, we look forward to continuing to share the stories of other folks who are doing work that aligns with the wellness of our communities, with social justice in our communities. and as you can hear from judge katherine lucero, when they talk about their work, that legacy, that community is in mind and always at the heart of what they are doing alongside others. damian: yeah.

we as human beings make the mistake of honoring our heroes posthumously. and i'm honored to see that we're doing this when they can listen to the accolades that will be coming from the community. any final thoughts, we have about 30 seconds, judge lucero? katherine: no, damian. i just want to thank the la raza historical society for being such a leader and a beacon for all of our young ones that are coming behind us so that they can see that, yes, the work is never done and we can pass that baton. thank you. damian: all right. thank you. congratulations. and thank you to the la raza historical society for putting this on. it's going to be a great event. thank you so much. rosanna: thank you. damian: thank you. and, again, it's happening here at the mexican heritage plaza in san josé september 2nd. it's the la raza historical society awards gala. there's the website for more information. well, if you want to get a hold of us here on "comunidad del valle" you can follow me on instagram and on threads. threads is a new social media site. the address is the same, at newsdamiantrujillo. but you can also email me.

there's the websi--the email address there and the website for nbcbayarea.com. also be sure to watch us on telemundo canal 48. we are there every sunday as well honoring our comunidad. we thank you for sharing a part of your sunday with us. we'll see you back here again next week and hope you have a glorious and a safe weekend. we'll see you next week. ♪♪♪

right now on access hollywood, long before her barbie days, we're taking you all the way back to a 21-year-old margot robbie on her first time on access. plus, george michael is gone, but his friend and fellow wham! bandmate andrew ridgeley remembers