Hispanic Heritage Award Recipients

EMANUEL CORRENTHI

Emanuel Correnthi is no stranger to working hard. He is an excellent planner, communicator and has an extremely good work ethic. As a construction worker his work extends beyond his everyday employment.  He has volunteered his time with the Suffolk Habitat for Humanity and the Nassau Sandy Relief/Residential Construction. He sets an example for all of those he works with and is well deserving of this honor.                                                     

                                                                            DIMAS ESCOBAR

Success is definitely not the result of chance for Dimas Escobar but, a result of a work ethic that has been rooted in him since his childhood. Growing up in El Salvador Dimas would work on his family1 farm every day after attending school. At the age of seven years old he was picking vegetables and working side by side with his family on the farm. After many years of work and graduating high school he decided to leave El Salvador with his wife in search of the American Dream, that was over twenty years ago. 

His first job in the United States was a dish washer in a restaurant. He took this job with great pride and saw it as an opportunity for growth. Shortly after he began his career cleaning dishes he was promoted to Chef's Assistant to aid in managing the kitchen. Through his perseverance and hard work he found a new job working for B&B Fish & Clam.  This is where he learned his trade.  He then found a part-time job in the fish market on Pine Aire Drive in Bay Shore. The two Italian owners were eager to hire him because they knew of his experience and his work ethic.  They felt it would benefit their business, specifically the fact that he could speak Spanish to the customers and relate to the community. His golden opportunity came when the owners offered him the chance to purchase the fish market. Dimas was very grateful and feels this is the best opportunity he was ever given. 

He purchased the fish market in 1989; he expanded into the deli in 1996 and opened the dining room in 2004.  He owns three companies that make up what is now Pine Aire Fish & Deli.  They are all connected in the shopping center and currently employ thirty workers. He now focuses much of his time and energy into improving the community and making it a better place to live. He is involved in the local chamber of commerce, works with the local politicians and is continuously updating his store fronts. 

He would like to thank his family and friends, his family that worked in the business, his employees, the whole community and his government representatives for always supporting him and Senator Phil Boyle for recognizing the importance of their Salvadoran heritage as well. "I thank God, my family, friends, employees and clients who have all contributed to what is now a reality," said Dimas Escobar.

The American dream for Dimas is not just being able to own a home in the United States, but to help his family and other people as well. He has achieved his American dream. He is married and has 5 children and 5 grandchildren.  He owns his home and businesses. His hopes his children and grandchildren will continue on the path to success and live out their American Dream.

NANCY IGLESIAS

Gillen is a Native New Yorker currently residing in Suffolk County. Nancy attended SUNY Farmingdale University and worked as a Business Administrator in private dental practices for over 20 years. Her expertise in case presentation and finance allowed for a very lucrative operation. She also managed the Doctors schedules and training courses for new recruits including the execution and management of OSHA regulations.

In the year 2000, Nancy made a vocational change providing services as a Financial Advisor/Financial Services Representative for several Financial based companies. Nancy created financial plans by facilitating solutions through the proper implementation of insurance and various financial vehicles to ensure the viability of the plan for the benefit of her clientele. Her expertise also extends to Business Planning and Valuation as well as, a managing coach to guide businesses in running a well-organized and smooth operation to increase revenue.

Appointed to the Board of Directors for the Neighborhood Housing Services in Woodside, Queens, she provided workshop seminars in both English and Spanish in budget management and financial planning to assist families in financial crisis. This work sparked a passion to continue with community outreach programs and began working on a contractual and volunteer basis with numerous non-profit organizations on Long Island. Nancy currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Evergreen Charter School in Hempstead, N.Y.

After pursuing a lifetime dream, in December 2013 Nancy graduated from The Art Institute of New York City with an Associate Applied Science in Graphic Design with honors; Valedictorian of the Graduating Class. Nancy has established her own business N STUDIOS, Ltd., President and owner.

As a graphic designer, she creates design solutions that have a high visual impact. By listening and understanding her clients’ needs, N Studios, Ltd. develops creative ideas and concepts by choosing the appropriate media and style to meet the client's objectives before making any design decisions. The designs include and/or utilize a variety of products and activities, such as photography, websites, advertising, books, magazines, posters, brochures, product packaging, exhibitions and displays, corporate communications and corporate identity giving organizations a visual brand.

Other expertise and component of N Studios, Ltd. is Coordinating Special Events. She utilizes her public relation/networking and organizational skills including time management to create a memorable and successful event. Nancy has the proficiency of organizing and launching various types of events such as inaugurations, galas, luncheons, corporate events and private events. In June 2014, her most recent successful community event took place, the Unidad Latina Annual Legislative Conference presented by New York State Senate and co-hosted at and by Molloy College and Círculo de la Hispanidad.

NANETTE GONZLAEZ

Nanette Gonzalez is a Mental Health Counselor at Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk, a family violence and rape crisis center. She graduated from Long Island University in 2012 with a Master of Science degree focused on Mental Health Counseling.

Mrs. Gonzalez has worked with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and rape, providing both crisis counseling and individual or group counseling services in both English and Spanish. As part of the Safe Start Project- collaboration with the Head Start programs throughout Long Island and Child Protective Services, Mrs. Gonzalez was able to provide services to underserved groups (e.g. rural, economically disadvantaged, Latino, African American). Training in evidence based trauma focused therapy was also provided, a short-term treatment approach for children who have experienced any trauma, including multiple traumas. Mrs. Gonzalez previously supervised a staff working with mental health clients to assist in securing transitional housing that would eventually lead to independent living. Services included but were not limited to: linkage with a comprehensive community support system of case management, mental health rehabilitation, respite, employment and health supports. Additional experience as a Program Coordinator for the Life Skills and Vocational Program for individuals facing challenges in their mental health providing an overall enhancement in her professional development.

VANESSA GONZALEZ

In addition to the traditional transactions most residential real estate agents perform, Vanessa has become exceptional at guiding both buyers and sellers through the short-sale process.  From dealing with banks, home inspectors, attorneys and appraisers, Vanessa knows what to expect and is ready to provide zealous representation of her clients. The experience that she has attained with distressed property sales carries over into traditional sales to benefit her clients with great negotiation skills, a more complete understanding of the entire sales process and great skills in problem solving when there are bumps along the way.  Additionally, Vanessa has participated in several foreclosure prevention events to aid homeowners in financial distress.

Vanessa finds great personal satisfaction and rewards in serving her community.  Aside from serving as the Public Relations Director for the Salvadoran Chamber of Commerce, she was involved in the 2014 Clean the Street Committee and has received recognition of local and state politicians for her community efforts.  Vanessa was also an active member of the Suffolk County Central American Parade Committee in 2014. Because her parents always taught Vanessa the importance of giving to others and investing back into her community, she is now working on her own pet project which is a women’s organization to provide a resource where women can come to help support each other to raise their standards of living, family principles, and reach their personal and/or financial goals. Lastly, Vanessa is an advocate for Hispanic individuals such as herself, and strives to demonstrate that they have an equal opportunity to achieve success.

COUNCILMAN ANTONIO A. MARTINEZ

Tony Martinez was born in El Salvador, Central America and immigrated to the United States in 1982, at the age of 13. Mr. Martinez and his family fled their native land due to a bloody civil war that ravaged the country in the 1980s, but fortunately they settled in the Village of Lynbrook in the Township of Hempstead to begin their American dream. 

Mr. Martinez is a proud product of New York State’s public education system. He attended and graduated the State University of New York College at Oneonta. Mr. Martinez majored in political science and history and completed a public policy internship with the New York State Department of Labor. 

Upon graduating college, Tony Martinez began his career helping and empowering people. His first job with Catholic Charities introduced him to community organizing which led to a career in helping others help themselves. Tony worked for affiliates of the Industrial Areas Foundation, Long Island Congregations Association and Neighborhoods (LICAN), and East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC) helping homeowners battle unscrupulous contractors, predatory lenders and absentee landlords, building homeowners associations, assisting parents in addressing educational issues in their public schools, and supporting residents addressing quality of life issues. As a community organizer, Tony’s role was to build the organizations and empower their members to act for social change. Through his training and employment he learned the art of one-to-one, relationship building and provided the tools to people to be effective advocates for themselves. 

After working as a community organizer, Tony Martinez was hired by the Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters as a union organizer. Tony used what he learned as a community organizer and helped carpenters and other workers recoup hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages and assisted in leveling the playing field for contractors that played by the rules. With the carpenters union, Mr. Martinez represented the interests of union and non-union carpenters with the fundamental purpose to raise their standard of living. As a union organizer, Tony worked closely with law enforcement at the federal, state, and county levels to protect and enforce labor laws, particularly in the area of prevailing wage and payroll tax laws. 

Tony has been involved in numerous commissions and boards including: Boys Scouts of America Sagtikos District Nominations Committee Chairman; Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Gerald Ryan Outreach Center; Pronto of Long Island; Suffolk County Hispanic Advisory Board; Suffolk County Workforce Housing Commission; Town of Babylon Planning Board.

As councilman, Tony chairs the Parks and Recreation Committee and works diligently to serve the interests of all residents in the Town of Babylon.

Tony was appointed councilman by Supervisor Steve Bellone and the town board on July 15, 2008. On November 4, 2008, he was elected to serve the remainder of an unexpired term and was re-elected on November 3, 2009, to a full four-year term. Currently, Tony is serving as deputy supervisor to Supervisor Rich Schaffer. 

Tony is married to Marisol, and they both are the proud parents of Zachary, Tomas, and Nicholas. They live in the hamlet of Wheatley Heights.

DOROTHY SANTANA

Since leaving her hometown of Brentwood, NY to further her education at SUNY College at Buffalo, Dorothy Santana has pursued an active role of advocacy in her community.  She supports her community while advocating for people who need assistance in areas of mental health, children issues and domestic violence.  Dorothy continued her educational training through CUNY Baruch College where she obtained her certification in a Non-Profit Management Training Program; she is a Parent Leadership Initiative (PLI) graduate; and most recently obtained her National Certification as a Facilitator with the Parent Leadership Training Institute.

Within the past 20 years, she was committed to advocacy by helping secure housing and psychiatric services for homeless mentally ill; has worked towards the reunification of families in NYC’s foster care system; and established a children’s program for a nationally recognized Latina domestic violence organization. 

For ten years, she dedicated herself to the battered women’s movement, providing direct culturally competent services to women and children and administrative oversight to a multitude of programs.  She has served on various committees, including: the Brides March Committee - that helped raise awareness to the issue of domestic violence, MOPS (Mothers Of Preschooler’s) Committee - being responsible for organizing recreational activities for mothers and preschool age children; and has served on various PTA committees in her children's school. 

Most recently, Dorothy helps develop leadership skills and parental involvement as a PLI Facilitator by facilitating a 20 week course which builds skills such as; assessing problems, thinking critically, becoming familiar with city, state, and federal government. She stays active in her community by working with parents on issues facing the wellbeing of children; including helping pass the recent North Babylon School Budget.  She has taken the initiative to establish the Wood’s Road Elementary first Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in 2011, which has been a success over the past three years. 

To help families raising bi-cultural Latino/Hispanic children on Long Island, Dorothy recently created a network of mothers, “Latina Moms of Long Island”, which works towards preserving the Latino/Hispanic culture while raising children in suburbia. Hosting virtual and live discussions on the topic and holding culturally relevant social gatherings where traditions and culture are shared among group members and their families.

While taking time to raise her family, Dorothy currently serves on a program development committee for the Child Care Council of Suffolk PLI Program, Brides March Committee, the Town of Babylon’s Department of Human Services’ Hispanic Heritage Committee, and was recently appointed as a Suffolk County Hispanic Advisory Board member, by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

In 2013 Dorothy was honored for her work by the Suffolk County Executive. She enjoys music and partaking in cultural events/activities.  She lives what she believes, and imparts on her children and others the importance of diversity and embracing the richness or others.  Among all this, she still tries to find time to do a “little” laundry and housekeeping.

ESPERANZA JUSTINIANO SOLIMAN

Esperanza Justiniano Soliman was born in the Dominican Republic.  She is the second child of ten siblings, all whom live in the United States.  She graduated from high school in 1974 and completed college in the Dominican Republic. 

One particular memory from her early years was when she was in the third grade she helped nuns in her school and was in charge of serving breakfast to the children and helping them with reading and writing.  Esperanza’s love of people is what started her on the journey to helping wherever and whenever needed.

Esperanza came to United States in 1989 and lived in Brentwood, New York.  Esperanza is committed and drawn to helping others that is why when she moved to New Jersey and then to Boston she continued to help those who needed assistance.  She attended St. Joseph’s Church in Boston and volunteered in the choir, outreach ministry and church programs.

In 1990 Esperanza then moved back to New York and started attending St. Anne’s R.C. Church in Brentwood.  She currently participates in the choir, helps the Outreach Ministry and teaches catechism classes.  She is a great leader in St. Anne’s Spanish Community and is someone you can turn to for help. 

In 2011 she was appointed President of the Hispanic Apostolado and currently holds that position. She gives wholeheartedly of herself in everything she does for the Hispanic Apostolado, weather it is cooking, cleaning floors, serving, selling raffle tickets, dance committee, decorating, she is there to help.

Another of Esperanza’s passions is hair; she has been doing hair since she was 13 years old in the Dominican Republic. In 1995 she graduated from Beauty School on Long Island and became a hair dresser.

In 2006 Esperanza started working at Pronto of Long Island, as a volunteer in the Thrift Center.  She is now serves as the Supervisor.  She is well respected by her colleagues, clients and vendors.  She is extremely hardworking, dedicated, organized and is always concerned about her clients.

On her days off she is continuing her passion of helping others with advice, transporting people to the doctor, social services, church and work to name a few.  Her friends call her Mother Teresa.

Esperanza is a dedicated single mother of her only son Joel, who is now twenty-four years old.

EDGAR MAURICIO VASQUEZ

If you are of El Salvadorian decent there is one name that is probably in your address book under champion – Edgar Mauricio, the El Salvadorian Consulate for Long Island and Connecticut. 

Edgar Mauricio takes his position at the Consulate very seriously as he bridges the gap between the El Salvadorian Community and local elected officials; as he fights for the human rights of his people; and, as he helps those in need with his legal expertise.

Edgar Mauricio came to the United States almost 4 years ago.  For the past 3 ½ years he has been with the El Salvadorian Consulate, first as Vice Counsel and currently as the Head Consulate.  Prior to that he lived in El Salvadore and was a practicing lawyer and chef.

An unwavering commitment to the El Salvadorian Community, Mauricio works tirelessly to help the community and assist with all types of problems they may face.  One of his recent accomplishments was organizing an effort to bring medical assistance and food donations to over 200 people in his home country.  He also aided several local residents of his community in obtaining their drivers licenses to gain independence.

When asked what he attributes his commitment to the El Salvadorian Community Mauricio said, “One of the best qualities of the El Salvadorian community is their work ethic.  It makes them prosper, no matter where they may be living.”

Mauricio has a daughter in El Salvadore and currently resides in Bay Shore.

MIRYAM VELIZ

Miryam Veliz has been an invaluable asset to the YES program for the past four years. Miryam moved to the United States with her mom and sisters when she was ten years old, six years after her father had moved here to set up a life for their family. She first joined the Bay Shore Middle after school program during fifth grade, shortly after moving to the United States from Argentina, out of a desire to meet new people and make new friends in her new home.

As a participant in the YES program Miryam has volunteered countless hours of her free time helping her community by partaking in a variety of different events, all while she was taking ESL classes to learn English and getting acclimated to American culture. Miryam has walked with YES in the Memorial Day, Hispanic Heritage, and St. Patrick’s Day parades. As a part of the PAR FORE golf mentoring program at the Bay Shore Middle YES site, Miryam has volunteered at assisted living facilities as well as veterans homes by helping to set up a portable mini golf course and playing with the residents.

Currently Miryam is a youth board member for YES and she is also a youth worker in the YES West Islip summer enrichment program. In the summer program, Miryam works with a group of five and six year olds where she not only serves as a positive role model for them, but she helps ensure that they are having a fun and enriching summer. Miryam goes above and beyond for her community and never misses out on an opportunity to volunteer.

Her grandfather was a principal of schools that he founded in Peru; he instilled in her since a young age the importance of hard work and getting an education.  Miryam is very close with her family and has said that she learned patience and understanding through visiting with her cousin who has a mental disability.

She is an outstanding young woman and an exceptional person whose dedication to her community is admired by all who have the privilege of working with her.

MANUEL A. VIDAL

Manuel Vidal is a 3^rd generation resident of Brentwood, New York and graduate of Brentwood High School, class of 1982. He is also a father of three and dedicated community activist. Professionally he is an automotive technician for the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, providing 16 years of great service and dedication.

Manuel has been a part of the political process for over 20 years as a committee man; getting information out and helping the people become informed.

Aside from political clubs, he has also been a member of the Brentwood Islander Lion’s Club for the past 10 years. As a member of the Lion’s Club he participates across the country in many charitable events. Through leadership training and hands on experience, as well as good mentoring, he was able to move up from Lion to Vice District Governor. The Lions Club values good common sense and true commitment for the better of local communities and less fortunate.

Starting next year, Manuel has been given the opportunity to move up as the District Governor of the Lions Club of Suffolk County, which includes 43 clubs and over 1600 members across Long Island, with one goal: to serve our community and help others.