Albina Head Start honors community advocate Richard Luccetti
Richard Luccetti (left) poses next to a photo of the building that now bears his name. Joining him are Eduardo Angulo of the Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality and former Oregon State Sen. Avel Gordly. Photo by Julie Cortez, El Hispanic News
Julie Cortez
El Hispanic News
Portland, OR — Albina Head Start held a celebration July 15 to officially announce the renaming of its administrative building on NE 7th Ave. in honor of Richard Luccetti, who has long advocated for children and families both through Albina and in the wider community.
Portland Public School Board member Martín González praised Luccetti for speaking up not only on behalf of his own Latino community, but for all communities. González said Luccetti was among the first to draw attention to the shortcomings of English as a Second Language education.
“Richard has always been that voice, that reminder that we have to do right by students,” González said.
Richard Brown, chairman of Albina’s board of directors, said that Luccetti did not merely offer to help families in their struggles, but empowered them to help themselves.
“He didn’t say, ‘I’m going to take care of it,’” Brown recalled. Instead he showed a “willingness not to do it all, but to empower you.”
Luccetti, joined at the event by his daughter, son, and granddaughter, tried to deflect some of the praise, saying he’s only done what needed to be done. Instead he directed attention to his colleagues in the room.
“I feel very happy to be amongst people who are dedicated to the things we believe in,” Luccetti said.
Este artículo también está disponible en / This post is also available in: Spanish
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