LANCASTER – Many residents look for an opportunity to change the world around them. What better way than creating their own humanitarian group focused on the local community? That’s exactly what Dr. Miguel A. Suarez Coronado started in 2011.
Agents of Change is a public service group with a big mission. With eighteen active members, the group is continuing to thrive and grow.
“The main focus of Agents of Change is volunteer work and to give back to our community,” explained Stephanie Sandoval, Director of Membership and Public Relations Officer for Agents of Change. “We are a humanitarian group that focuses on an array of areas such as children rights, women rights, gay rights, deferred action, multiculturalism, immigration, but our main priority is education.”
Agents of Change values several principles including equal access, dignity and respect, cultural competency, collaboration, and integrity.
“Agents of Change believe in justice, peace, righteousness and truth,” said Dr. Coronado, Agents of Change President. “We believe that love, altruism, active compassion, and empathy must be extended universally and impartially to all human beings.”
The humanitarian group has volunteered for several local events including A Magical BLVD Christmas and the MLK Day of Service, where they helped serve lunch and visited with a local senior citizen home.
In addition to volunteering, the group has also held two events including one to raise money in order to become an official non-profit foundation, and an award party with Assemblyman Steve Fox recognizing public officials.
Members of Agents of Change are given opportunities otherwise not found. The group assists members with academic counseling, community service prospects, scholarship opportunities, and letters of recommendation for college and job applications.
“Every Agent gets leadership opportunities as every individual can be in charge of projects that interest him or her,” said Sandoval.
Originally, Dr. Coronado had the idea of humanitarian organization focusing mainly on Latino rights. Eventually, this progressed to overall human rights. The group eventually started growing more in 2012.
“As President of Agents of Change, I am seeking ultimately to prepare our members to be effective servant leaders and agents for social change, as well as to foster the creation of a just and equitable community by supporting efforts to improve the quality of life of all citizens in the Antelope Valley,” stated Dr. Coronado in the group’s informational pamphlet.
Agents of Change will be contributing to many future events locally. Their agenda includes participating in the Read Across America, a field trip to UC Santa Barbara in order to assist Agents in choosing their future college, and even teaming up with the Lancaster CHP to start the Every 15 Minute program for SOAR High School.
“Agents of Change benefits the community as a whole because we are setting an example to other folks, mainly teens, about the importance of giving, rather than receiving, and the importance of education,” detailed Sandoval. “The teens are all college bound and hungry for knowledge; we will contribute to making an educated society.”
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Rchelle says
I attended this event and was so impressed by these young Agents of Change. I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with the teens prior to this event. To hear how passionate they are about making changes in they AV is amazing. The teen Agents put together the awards ceremony and it was beautiful. Please remember that these Agents are working in our community…let the Agents of Change SHINE! The teens hardwork and dedication sets the precedence for other teens in they AV to follow awesome job AGENTS OF CHANGE!!
Nope! says
i will not support anything Darren Parker or Tcal is involved in
Reality says
What better way to promote yourself and your friends than to make up an organization that does it for you?
CharlieTuna (not my real name) says
Same thing City of Lancaster does.
Anyone ever notice that it’s the same last names on most of the committees and councils. That means only a few people care enough to be involved or there’s a whole lot of nepotism. hmmm
Forewarned says
More Community Organizers. Hope and Change…now where have I heard that before? Sheesh