A Legacy of Service Honoring Ancestors and Future Generations: Rudy Gonzales' Leadership at Servicios de la Raza
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, GlobalMindED encourages our readers to explore the inspiring stories of Hispanic men and women. Join us in honoring their achievements and contributions by sharing their stories and supporting initiatives that promote inclusivity and diversity.
Rudy Gonzales , the visionary president and CEO of Servicios de La Raza , has dedicated his life to serving his community and advancing social justice.
What is your story?
Hello, my name is Rudy Gonzales, and I am the president and CEO of Servicios de la Raza, a bilingual organization that’s been providing, and advocating for, culturally responsive, essential human services and opportunities in Colorado for 52 years.
I graduated in 1976 from Escuela Tlatelolco in Denver, which was developed in the late 60s as an alternative education for young Latinos that would provide academic proficiency and instill in us cultural pride, and confidence and help develop our leadership skills. My degree is from Metropolitan State University of Denver in English Literature and Writing. I have ample experience in the human services field, having worked in the Colorado Department of Corrections helping to start up and establish, the Youthful Offender System (YOS), Denver Department of Human Services as Director of the Family Crisis Center; directed K-5 Charter School start-ups in Arizona and Ohio; and served as the Director of Learning for both the middle and secondary learning programs at Escuela Tlatelolco, to name a few positions.
My hope is to continue growing Servicios so we can amplify our reach and help as many people as possible. The scope of what we do is unique, including behavioral health; helping victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and general crime; assisting individuals living with HIV, mental health, and substance abuse; and providing ex-offender reintegration, workforce development, and financial empowerment, amongst others. I’ve even begun getting calls from other states wanting to know if there’s a Servicios office near them!
Where does your passion to serve come from?
I am the son of Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales and Geraldine Gonzales, who were leaders in The Crusade for Justice—a Denver-based, 1960s Chicano movement focused on social, political, and economic justice for our people. As you can imagine, activism was a part of my life from very early on, and I worked alongside my father and my family in many of the watershed events of the Chicano Civil and Human Rights Movement in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and I continue to be steadfast and consistent in my commitment to social justice, equity & change to this day.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
Servicios was started in 1972 as a licensed facility for the treatment of mental health and chronic mental illnesses. Two years later, we applied to Colorado’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division for funding and licensure as an approved alcohol and substance abuse treatment center. However, despite decades of important work and having served thousands of people, Servicios was in dire straits when I joined it nearly 16 years ago. People told me to let it wither, but I knew the organization could blossom again with the right leadership and staff. It took time, patience, and hard work, and I’m very proud to say that today I oversee a staff of one hundred and seventeen, and we have offices in Denver and Pueblo serving people around the clock and around Colorado.
How Can GlobalMindED Help You?
We look forward to working with GlobalMindED to amplify our work and to scale our impact across the country.?
领英推荐
GlobalMindED Conference 2024:
Thank you to all of the students, partners, sponsors, speakers and attendees who made our 10 Year Anniversary conference such a success!
More than 300 students from over 60 community colleges and universities were able to learn from 400 speakers, hundreds of attendees, and each other. Please see photos from the Inclusive Leader Awards dinner, First Gen Leadership Program, main stage sessions and breakouts.
Join us in 2025 June 16-18 at the Sheraton Downtown Denver. Interested in speaking at our 2025 Conference? Click Here
Save the Date: June 16-18 2025 in Denver for GlobalMindED 2025 Apply to Speak Opens August 1
Thanks to our sponsors, presenters, sponsors, and students who made GlobalMindED 2024 such a success!
GlobalMindED class of 2015: Click to see 1-minute Student Testimonial from Amelia Mawlawi
Would you like to give to support our student programs? You can scan the QR code below or go to our website to support our year-round programs. GlobalMindED is a 501(c)(3).
GlobalMindED | 303-327-5688 | [email protected] | www.globalminded.org