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The Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Benito County (CAPC) honored 27 individuals and four resource families as “unsung heroes” who live up to CAPC’s goal of promoting new ideas, methods, and solutions that improve the safety of the county’s children and families. The Third Annual Unsung Heroes Awards ceremony was held on April 17 at the Hollister Veterans’ Memorial Building.
Erica Elliott, CAPC’s sexual assault and prevention manager, said it was a chance to celebrate the diversity and dedication of those who work with children.
“We are recognizing individuals who are sometimes forgotten,” Elliott said. “People who support and uplift youth through everyday deeds—and inspire others.”
CAPC contacted organizations that work with children and families and asked each to nominate someone in their ranks. Joshia Mercier, deputy director of the San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency, said the award is intended for those who genuinely, authentically, and intentionally care about kids.
“They’re people behind the scenes that help children, help families, and help our San Benito County community,” Mercier said. “They work to better our community and society and do it with humility and grace. They weren’t working toward an award, and it was a surprise to them.”
Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Benito County Unsung Hero Awards. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Olivia Tauvinkl. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Rachel Zuniga. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Javier Perez. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Denise Black. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Rosa De La Cruz. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Fannie Torres. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Nicole Shelton. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Jill Kunich. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Robert Rivas and Christen Rivas. Photo by Adam Bell.
Mercier said it was also an opportunity to spread awareness about the work of the CAPC.
“It offers an opportunity to share what we’re seeing in our community,” he said. “It is also an opportunity to break bread amongst all the different community agencies and celebrate success.”
Olivia Tauvinkl was nominated for her work as a program manager with the Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Benito (CASA). The award was a total surprise: She was under the impression that CASA had nominated someone else.
While feeling honored, she said, all of the social workers in the organization are passionate about their responsibilities.
“We specifically train, support, and recruit community members to be advocates for specific children in foster care,” she said. “One person there just for the child, focusing solely on the child versus the entire family.”
The Centers for Disease Control, in a 1998 study conducted in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente and quoted on the CAPC website, concluded that adverse childhood experiences could lead to serious health and behavioral issues later in life.
Honorees and their affiliations
Colby Anderson – Spring Grove School
Melinda Arellano – SBCOE Early Childhood Special Education Center
Lori Arnold – Community Solutions
Aaron Barcellos -Rancho Santana School
Denise Black – San Benito High School District
Christopher Branen – Hollister Prep School
Pamela Brown – SBC Arts Council
Rosa De La Cruz – Rancho San Justo Middle School
Joshua Flores – Youth Recovery Connections
Miranda Flores – Ladd Lane School
Colleen Grimes – SBC Probation Dept
Lindsay King – SBC Behavioral Health
Jill Kunich – Girls Inc.
Becky Maes – GoKids, Inc.
Sierra Moreno – YMCA
Phillip Nunez -New Hope for Youth
Javier Perez – SBC Health & Human Services
Laura Quiroz – R.O Hardin
Brenda Reyes – Tres Pinos School
Daniel Romero – Cerra Vista School
Maria Diaz Ruiz – First 5 San Benito
Sara Singleton – Willow Grove School
Nicole Shelton – HDLA
Olivia Tauvinkl – CASA
Fannie Torres – Marguerite Maze Middle School
Rosio Valadez – Youth Alliance
Rachel Zuniga – Sunnyslope School
Celebrating 7 years as a Service Family
Imelda and Ben Sanchez
Janell and John White
Celebrating 5 years as a Service Family
Christen and Robert Rivas
Dawn and Joel Thomas
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