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Debrina D. Dante, Secretary |
Debrina D. Dante joined the LACCEA family in December 2010. Her passion to get further involved with LACCEA drove her to run for a seat on the Board of Directors (LACCEA's 2011 Elections).
Ms. Dante brings to LACCEA 27 years of experience with the Department of Children and Family Services. Her experience and education has prepared her to work with dynamism to build coalitions and relatioships that will advance LACCEA and its members.
Ms. Dante is honored to have taken the leadership role in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month for the first time in history in her Department. During her 27 years at Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court, she observed how proudly the department celebrated Black History Month every year. However, not once since its approval in 1988 had her department celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month.
In 2010, Ms. Dante made it her mission to ensure that Latino Heritage Month was also celebrated in her department every day from September 15 through October 15 of 2010. She invited influential speakers everyday to speak to hundreds of abused and neglected children (approximately 65% are Hispanic) currently under the court’s jurisdiction. She exhibited beautiful paintings rich in Hispanic culture throughout the walls of Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court. She also displayed pictures of Hispanic leaders and role models, which included the richest man in the world Carlos Slim Helú, who happens to be Mexican! She also invited salsa, merengue, and folkloric dancers to dance for the children.
Because of Ms. Dante’s tireless efforts, Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court was able to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month successfully for the first time in history. Not only did LACCEA recognized Ms. Dante for her successful efforts, but she also received recognition from Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina.
"We are the mentors that are the motivation of empowerment to our families and communities." -Debrina D. Dante