Neto honors six community volunteers as Unsung Heroes

Communities thrive and families prosper when passionate, dedicated people pitch in behind the scenes – at work, at home and in their neighborhoods.

Neto Community Network, a Concord nonprofit, launched the Unsung Heroes Awards to celebrate these people for their efforts. The awards acknowledge people who others might not realize have made meaningful commitments to improving our community.

“Neto is a Spanish expression meaning ‘exactly equal’ or ‘exactly right,’ ” said Molly Clark, one of Neto’s co-founders. “Neto is about people from all walks of life coming together around a common belief in the Golden Rule – treat others as you wish to be treated – which is the foundation for social and economic equity.”

The network provides training, support and networking for fresh, impassioned leaders who want to work toward more engaged, cohesive, equitable, productive and fulfilling communities. In creating the awards, the group first surveyed supporters for nominees. Then the board of directors pored over a long list to determine the top candidates.

Six Concord residents received plaques and Certificate of Congressional Recognitions from Rep. Mark DeSaulnier during a dinner in downtown Concord, with more than 70 in attendance.

Advocating for Latino residents

Isabel Lara is a community liaison for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. With her passion for educating and empowering parents, she developed the CLAVE program (Changing Lives Assuring Values & Education) to better serve families in the Latino community.

“Isabel goes out of her way to make sure families fully understand how the school system works and how to best advocate for their children,” said Neto board member Brian Beckon.

Dave Pitman’s community leadership began by getting involved with his Monument neighborhood association, which led to him working to get much-needed sidewalks installed along busy Detroit Avenue. He has overseen a variety of projects, from disaster drills to block parties to walkability audits.

“Dave is a quiet guy, but he sees everything. When he does have something to say, people listen,” said Kathy Renfrow, a Neto co-founder.

“He also taught me not to judge people,” she added.

Whether his teams win or lose, youth soccer coach Carlos Marroquin leads his players with a big heart and encourages them to play with integrity.

“I see myself in these kids. I want to give them the opportunity I wished someone had offered to me,” Marroquin said. “I want them to grow and reach their full potential.”

50 years of community service

Concord native Father Richard Mangini was instrumental in opening the doors of local Catholic churches to the growing population of Latino residents and fostered the development of services in Spanish. “When serving people, success begins when a need is there and it begins to be fulfilled,” Mangini said.

Although retired after 50 years of ministry, Mangini says he will continue to serve in other ways. He is valued as a mentor to many spiritual leaders and has spent countless hours working on local issues like rent control, affordable housing, feeding the hungry and supporting refugees.

After raising a large family and running a successful restaurant in Mexico, Rosalia Ramos de Palomera moved with her family to Concord in 1996. She became an active volunteer with her church and her grandchildren’s school, and she educated herself on how policy and politics impacts the lives of immigrant families.

“At age 83, my mother Rosalia studied hard and passed the test to become a U.S. citizen because she wanted to vote and make her voice count on behalf of immigrants,” said Luz Palomera Sierra, a Neto co-founder.

As the Scout Reach district executive with the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council of Boy Scouts of America, Ronald Berliner works to enrich the lives of more than 14,000 boys and young men. He also serves people with developmental disabilities by providing skills training for work and community integration.

“I want to teach more people, both kids and adults, to develop a true passion for adventure,” Berliner said.

“Traveling, sailing, kayaking, hiking – it makes you feel alive and grateful.”

Neto will be accepting nominees this fall for 2020 honorees. For more information on the group, visit netocn.org.