PHOENIX — To discuss the violence across the Valley, 12News and 12News en Español will bring the third town hall to the Hispanic community to continue the conversation, this time in Spanish.
You can RSVP here or join the conversation during our livestream.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Foro comunitario: 'Violencia en las Calles del Valle'
Town hall: “Violencia en las Calles del Valle”:
- When: Tuesday, March 26 from 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.
- Where: Carl Hayden High School auditorium - 3333 W Roosevelt St. Phoenix, AZ 85009
Community members, local law enforcement, legislators, educators, and activists join forces to discuss, inform and bring solutions to the table on the violence that has touched our communities, neighborhoods and for many, home.
All the panelists speak Spanish and understand the difficulties the Hispanic/Latino community faces when it comes to violence on the streets of the Valley.
Our panelists:
Moderators:
Yolanda García: Journalist and Senior Digital Producer for 12News en Español
Yolanda was born in Agua Prieta Sonora, Mexico and moved to Phoenix when she was 12. First in the family to graduate from college. She joined 12News in 2016 as a bilingual digital producer and her passion to inform and serve the Hispanic community has contributed to the growth of 12News en Español.
Daniel Aguirre: News anchor for ENLACE 1190
Daniel Aguirre has been informing communities from Mexico and the U.S. for more than 20 years. He has a bachelor’s in judicail science. Besides his daily duties as radio anchor for the morning news show, Aguirre founded CIAC to assist with filling out legal documents and legal processes at a low cost.
Aracely Ochoa
Aracely Ochoa is mother of two, Jose and Gustavo. Gustavo was shot while he was a passenger on a moving vehicle near I-10 and 99th Avenue in Phoenix in 2018, a day after his 20th birthday. He later died at the hospital from his injuries. The case has not been resolved.
Paolla Jordan - Laloboy Foundation
Paolla lost her son Adrio in 2019 to suicide. She’s since worked to help other families by pushing new legislation and starting the Laloboy Foundation, which helps families cover the costs of mental healthcare services.
Ivan Carreño
Ivan Carreño was shot while driving to choir practice one evening during the summer of 2018. His injuries caused him not to be able to walk again. Despite the limitations that the incident caused Ivan, he’s a devoted father to his 5-year-old daughter. Besides his regular duties, work and parenting, Ivan continues to be active in church. He’s also an athlete – plays basketball, football.
Marissa Calderon - Associate Director of Family Empowerment with Chicanos Por La Causa
Marissa Calderón has been in the social services and education sector for over 25 years. Her experience includes classroom work with Preschool-12th grade youth, mentoring young adults and community advocacy. Her current focus is providing vulnerable teens and their families with prevention and wellness services through a collaboration with Phoenix area high schools through the CPLC Amanecer Prevention Program following the philosophy of La Cultura Cura. Marissa is a parent of two girls, 24 and 10. As a former troubled teen herself, she is very passionate about empowering families and helping them navigate the challenges of parenting teens in today’s world.
Edward DeCastro - Assistant Chief, Phoenix Police Department
Assistant Chief Ed DeCastro has proudly served with the Phoenix Police Department for 23 years. Chief DeCastro has been a strong supporter of community-based policing and has remained committed to partnership-building with the citizens of Phoenix. Throughout his career, Assistant Chief DeCastro has served at multiple ranks in the Maryvale-Estrella Mountain, Central City, and South Mountain Precincts, including patrol, the Walking Beat Squad, and the Neighborhood Enforcement Team. He later led the Assaults and Homicide Units in the Violent Crimes Bureau as their Lieutenant. As a Commander in January 2017, he served in the Maryvale/Estrella Mountain Precinct, the Violent Crimes Bureau, the City Manager’s Office Liaison, the Training Bureau, and the Family Investigations Bureau. In November 2023, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of the Investigations Division.
José Gúzman - Founder of Victims of Crime
Jose’s son Guillermo was killed in Nov. 2005 while working at a Subway near 43rd Avenue and McDowell Road when he was 17. After that incident, Guzman has been an advocate for victims of crime helping Spanish-speaking families navigate through the process as well as providing information and resources available. With his non-profit Guzman has helped thousands of families in the Valley and across the US for almost two decades.
Dr. Julio C. Rubio - Principal at Carl Hayden High School
Dr. Julio C. Rubio focuses his commitment to bringing equitable practices to ensure access to quality education for all students. Dr. Rubio is an award-winning educator. He has received the Esperanza Latino Teacher Award, the City of Phoenix Most Influential People distinction, Outstanding Latino Leader of the year, and Congressional recognition for his work in the community. Dr. Rubio also served as the Chair for the Equitable and Inclusive Practices Advisory Council for the Arizona Department of Education from 2019-2022. He earned his Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University in 2023.
Lydia Hernández - Arizona Representative for District 24
Lydia Hernandez has served on the School Board for the Cartwright School District #83 since 2003. In 2010, under her leadership, the board made critical decisions, as 13 out of 20 schools were underperforming. In 2012, the school district improved to an overall grade of “B”. In 2012, Lydia successfully ran for State Representative in Legislative District 29. While her roots are in grassroots coalition building, Lydia knows there are many more issues the community is currently facing and is dedicated to ensuring its residents are not ignored. “I strongly believe that every child and every human being deserves the best opportunities in life. That responsibility falls on all of us, and I am no different”.