COMMUNITY AWARDS PRESENTED; ALARCON HONORS 47 WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Staff Writer

More than 40 people and organizations across the San Fernando Valley were honored Saturday by state Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, during his first Community Awards Breakfast.

The awards banquet featured 47 honorees in the fields of education, public safety, arts and culture, and community involvement. The event also doubled as a fund-raiser for Alarcon, who is seeking to pay off $95,000 in debt from his Senate race.

``I wanted to do something for the community and do what I need to do to raise funds,'' Alarcon said after the ceremony at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills.

But even more importantly, he said, was the need to recognize ``some who deserved a little pat on the back.''

Among those honored was San Fernando Mayor Jose Hernandez, a California State University, Northridge, professor who helped found the institution's Chicano studies department and programs that seek to treat and prevent alcohol, drug and tobacco use - El Proyecto del Barrio and Pueblo y Salud.

Hernandez was humble about his award.

``I have a lot of academic success because other people helped me,'' he said. ``I'm carrying the torch to help others.''

Also honored was Scott J. Svonkin, who served two years as the community relations chairman for the Jewish Federation Valley Alliance, a nonprofit social service organization. As community relations chairman, Svonkin helped build relationships between the agency, different communities and elected officials. Svonkin said he was thrilled by the honor.

``It meant a lot to me. It's not so often that you're recognized for your community involvement,'' said Svonkin, a West Hollywood deputy councilman. ``I spend as many of my waking hours volunteering as I do working.''

Organizations were also honored for their volunteer efforts. Communities in Schools: Los Angeles Mentoring Partnership and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 33, were recognized for their joint effort to train and employ at-risk youths as stage hands.

Under the partnership, Communities in Schools recruits young adults ages 18 years and older, who are then trained by the union. Graduates qualify for jobs that earn between $18 an hour to $35 an hour. Last year, stage hands in Local 33 earned more than $60 million in contracts.

``It's a great opportunity,'' said Robert Arias, the president of Communities in School: Los Angeles Mentoring Partnership. ``We're demonstrating through this partnership that young people are able to work at these premium jobs.''

Roy LaVoise, business representative of Local 33, said the partnership is ideal because it infuses a union where the average member is 47 years old with fresh talent.

``We need to train young people,'' LaVoise said. ``Our union is getting older, and we're trying to bring in youths and train them.''

Also honored were three nonprofit Sun Valley organizations: the Sun Valley Graffiti Busters, Sun Valley Neighborhood Improvement Organization and People in Progress, a nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment program for indigent and homeless men.

Jon Eshbach, president of the Sun Valley Neighborhood Improvement Organization, said he appreciates the public recognition but derives his pleasure from graffiti-free walls and sparkling streets.

``If we can see that difference occur, that's all the thanks we need,'' Eshbach said.

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Photo: LAPD Officer Vivian Flores was one of the recipients at the first Community Awards Breakfast for her work on Blythe Street.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer