On December 18th, 2015, San Jose Police Department’s Captain Antony Mata was recognized at the Annual Service to Youth Awards Luncheon for his partnership with the San Jose Job Corps’ student led Youth 2 Youth: Partners 4 Peace campaign– which focuses on talking, learning, and empowering young adults– to address violence in the community.

Job Corps’ student body President and Y2Y Leader Vincent Gelacio was the luncheon’s opening speaker. Addressing the crowd about the Y2Y campaign, Vincent gave a call to action for all community leaders, service providers, students and staff,

“What we need to do is look at what works, and we know engaging staff in students’ lives and students staying connected with positive friends’ works,” said Y2Y: Partners 4 Peace Student Leader Vincent Gelacio. “We know what students need. They need meaningful opportunity to participate, strong connections with center staff, role models, and be held to high expectations.”

San Jose Job Corps’ Center Director Leslie Gilroy presented Captain Mata the “Friends of Job Corps” award for continually ensuring that SJPD services are accessible to students and staff by providing the Job Corps community with information and referral services that can also help Y2Y students address campus issues. Captain Mata also meets with Y2Y students leaders in an effort to help create measurable plans to promote antiviolence with our campus and community.