Santa Maria’s Program Director of Immigrant Outreach and Wellness Services, Luz Schemmel, recently received two awards recognizing her continuous efforts in the Hispanic community.
On September 23, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Cincinnati Board of Directors honored Schemmel with the Community Outreach Award at the 2016 LULAC Cincinnati Awards Gala. The Ohio State Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission (OCHLA) presented Schemmel with the Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award at the Governor’s Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awards Gala on October 7.
“I am happy, honored, and humbled to have accepted these awards on behalf of the whole Santa Maria team,” said Schemmel. “I am so grateful to be working in this organization with the wonderful people that go the extra mile to help our clients, improve our services and take care of our community. I am truly lucky to have a job I love and be working with people who care so much and work so hard for the betterment of others and our community.”
The 2016 LULAC Cincinnati Awards Gala celebrated the positive impact of those who shape the diversity and race relations in the tri-state community. The Gala honored the outstanding initiatives made by individuals, socially conscious corporations and students. The Hispanic Ohioan Awards Gala honored the accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino individuals in the region for their service to the Latino Community. The event served to celebrate Latino and Hispanic culture and break the barriers of Latino and Hispanic involvement in business, education, health, politics and more.
H. A. Musser, Jr., President and CEO of Santa Maria Community Services stated, “Santa Maria is privileged to have Luz Elena leading our work with international residents in our community. For the past six years, Luz has been a light to help immigrant adults learn English, connect their children with schools and help these families acclimate to life in Cincinnati.”
Schemmel is a voice for disadvantaged families and a strong advocate for Hispanics, especially in the realm of improving health. She works to educate the Hispanic Community, help families have access to education, healthy food and everyday services and helps combat the problems of family violence and substance abuse.
