key players AMBASSADORS 2005

Key players that are making a difference in children's lives

 

Miguel Agramonte may not have lived much of his life in Springfield; however, his presence has been felt, at least in his home located in the city. Alongside his lovely wife Elena, Mr. Agramonte has created a safe and nurturing environment for those around him. With his six children (Raul, Minerza, Rafael, Rosario, Miguelito, and Milagro), he has become a prime example of what a father should be. His loving nature has helped him raise prime citizens, who in turn, give back to the community. Mr. Agramonte was nominated by his granddaughter Dionisia Lopez, who wrote, "He treated me like if I was his daughter. He has always been there for me." To her, he donated his time and heart to become the father she never had.

Edwin Camacho was born and raised in the North End of Springfield where he resides today and has worked for the North End Outreach Network for three years. He recently held a film festival to showcase short films that were created by members of the community through a Learning through Music and Technology Program. Mr. Camacho organizes 3-day workshops that teach people of all ages how to use the technology to tell a personal story or narrative. "Outreach is my job everyday," he says. Mr. Camacho also volunteers much of his time to children in the North End community. He has DJ'ed many functions for children and took them to Camp Saico with the Springfield Parks Department one day. He has organized movie nights at the Gerena School and was a part of Kids Day with community police. On top of that, Mr. Camacho coaches two Pee Wee baseball teams in the summer and fall, a Boston Red Sox Rookie League team, and two adult softball teams. He is also single handedly raising his 8 year old son, Edwin K. Camacho, Jr. One child explained, "He participates in my life by trying to keep me active," and "has taught me a lot about life."

Being a family man himself, Kamari Collins has a natural ability to relate to youth. With the support of his wife and the inspiration of his 10-year-old daughter, Mr. Collins has been able to touch the lives of many youth in the Springfield area community. As a Springfield native, graduating from Central High School in 1994 and Springfield College in 1998, Mr. Collins is deeply rooted in the community. During his high school years, he participated in the Urban League; thus, upon graduating from college, it was natural for him to take the position of Coordinator for Youth and Education Programs. At the Urban League, he has been able to run programs to directly benefit the youth of Springfield in a variety of educational activities. Mr. Collins has also served as the Athletic Director for New Leadership School in Springfield, and was the program director for Camp Atwater for the past six summers. Among the kids who nominated Mr. Collins, one wrote, "He deserves to be honored for his time and commitment to all youth of minorities in the community."

Napoleon Daniels was nominated by his neighbor, Askia Lelaind, who described Mr. Daniels as, "a very great person who loves his community more than anyone else I know. He always goes shopping and buys canned goods for the foundation and he does Toys for Tots."

Felix Gonzalez is a single parent, basketball coach, musician, and mentor, has been an active member of the Springfield community for over 15 years. Mr. Gonzalez is a father of three, and has also been a father figure to so many youth in the neighborhood. He is a leader in the Springfield AAU basketball program and he takes kids to national basketball tournaments all over the country. Mr. Gonzalez understands the importance of getting kids involved in sports and committed to academics. He was nominated by Tanisha Cabezudo and Eric Rodriguez, who wrote, "Felix is like a father to me."

Walter Jackson has lived in Springfield for 11 years.  He is married to his wife Sandra and has two sons, Javon and Issaiah.  Originally from Bridgeport, CT, Mr. Jackson lived in Holyoke, MA before coming to Springfield.  Mr. Jackson is an active member of both the Holyoke and Springfield communities through the many sports teams he coaches.  He played both high school football and basketball, and has been coaching since his junior year of high school.  He has coached football in Holyoke for 10 years and also coaches baseball in the spring.  Currently, he coaches two basketball teams, one in the MLK league in Springfield and one in the Guadalupe league in Holyoke.  One child looks up to Mr. Jackson because "He cares about me as a person and not just a player." He has worked in the Department of Corrections for 20 years and plans to retire this April. Another child who nominated Mr. Jackson stated that, "He spends time with me off the field and spends his free time teaching us how to play sports the right way."

Darrell Moss is a 40 year old father of two. He began helping kids at the age of 20 as a college sophomore. Twenty years later, he has a daughter of his own in college and a 7 year old son. The family has been living in Springfield for 10 years and has already made a large impact on the community. Mr. Moss is involved with gang mediation programs aimed at resolving conflicts and minimizing violence between local gangs. He is involved with "Reentry" programs for ex-gang members who are trying to turn their life around. Darrell also hosts an "open mic" poetry reading where local kids come and share their views on life. With emphasis on current issues, struggles, and stresses of being a Springfield youth, his program reaches out to many young folks looking for answers - and finding them in poetry. Darrell was nominated by a local teen who said, "He has done a lot of great things in the community. He has also helped a lot of people young and old...when I needed exposure for my poetry, he found me little shows, venues, and contests." It was written by Troysean Wilson, age 16.

Fred Pearson has lived in Springfield for over 25 years.  He is married to his wife Alicia and has six children.  They include four boys: Devon, Fred Jr., Tristan, and Ga'ton, as well as two girls: Robin and Tiffany.  He has been a member of Spring of Hope Church of God and Christ since he was ten years old.  He currently serves as an usher there.  One of his nominations was made by Andrea Davis, who said, "He is not a selfish man; he will give you the shirt off his back."

Rev. Talbert Swan, Sr. was born in Yazoo country, Mississippi, along with his fourteen siblings.  He married Ora Swan (Bailey) in 1948.  He served in the Navy during the Korean War on the USS Wisconsin, and later become a pastor in 1958 in Springfield.  In 1980, he founded the Spring of Hope Church of God in Christ in Springfield, and is still preaching there today.  He works with the church at the national level, serving as Chairman of Resolutions of General Assemblies, and he was elected to the Judiciary Board last month.  Rev. Swan, Sr. considers the ministering and counseling of people to be the best part of what he does.  In the past, he has served as president of the Springfield NAACP and was on the Bay State Medical Center Board of Trustees for twelve years. When he is not serving his church, he can be found spending time with his wife, daughter, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.  "This is the most important time in my life," he says. One child expressed, "He has not only set an example for what a man is and should be but also has given me an opportunity by allowing me to be a youth minister."

Charles Wanzo, Jr. was born and raised in Springfield, MA.  He is the father of five sons. He was nominated by one of his sons, Charles Wanzo III.  His son recognized his father by writing, "when I was having trouble with my school work, because I was having trouble getting my school work done at home, he told me to go wherever I felt safe and comfortable working. My grade went from a C to an A in just a few weeks." His son also feels he is a respectable man who supports him in whatever he does and teaches him right and wrong. Mr. Wanzo, Jr. currently works in the union as a construction worker.  He is known for offering young people advice and guiding them in the right direction.