``We Care for Youth'' Co-Founder Named Recipient of Most Prestigious Public Service Award; Jose R. Quintanar Receives the Jefferson Award for Public Service.

News Editors/City Desks

GLENDALE, CALIF.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2003

We Care for Youth (WCFY) co-founder and co-executive director, Jose R. Quintanar will be honored at the 2003 National Jefferson Awards for Public Service in Washington D.C. on June 16, 17 and 18.

Given annually by The American Institute for Public Service (www.aips.org), the Jefferson Award is considered the Nobel Prize for Public Service in America. Established in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and others, the award recognizes the efforts that each individual can make a difference in their community, and in doing so strengthens our democracy.

Living up to the ideals of compassion and generosity his immigrant parents taught him, Quintanar has exemplified these values through his professional history and volunteer activism. He has also worked tirelessly as a volunteer to spread the positive seeds of diversity education and prejudice reduction through cultural diversity forums, community dialogues, human relations groups and peacemaking efforts.

When asked why he started WCFY, Quintanar is quick to answer, "It was important to do something to ease the conditions I was seeing that youth face. Talking about it was not enough. I am honored to receive this award not just for myself, but as recognition of the depth and fortitude today's troubled youth have if given the chance."

As a community college graduate and eventually receiving a Masters degree in education from the University of California, Los Angeles, Quintanar has used his education to develop programs and create curricula to encourage youth to stay in school, to accomplish goals and to realize their dreams. This desire helped him to co-create WCFY (www.wecareforyouth.org), a California not-for-profit whose particular expertise is reaching and transforming troubled youth by extending to them unconditional love and by requiring "giving back" through a community service component in their training.

WCFY, a nationally known award winning organization, has worked with more than 5,000 young people since 1991 and provides services to individuals, families, schools, community centers, cities and organizations. Teens are engaged in the learning process and build their character, leadership and job readiness skills, which improve their self-respect and competency.

All the programs are designed to have youth experience personal success via conference planning, school and community improvements, and business venture Bliss Unlimited, WCFY's youth-run retail store and gift business.