UCSD LIFE COURSE SCHOLARS PROGRAM PRESENTS THE
2024 "WISE ELDER" CHANGEMAKER AWARDS
The "Wise Elder” Changemaker Award celebrates the life work and current accomplishments of exceptional San Diegans who are 65 years or older. The UCSD Life Course Scholars program welcomes nominations of individuals who have had a significant impact on people, land, communities, and movements for justice, equity, sustainability, health, healing, and inclusion across our region. Their change-making work may be through the arts, advocacy, activism, organizing, cultivation, care and repair, bridge-building, paradigm-shifting, community healing, wisdom-sharing, and (re)connection with cultural traditions and the living world around us.
The Third Annual
Wise Elder ChangemakerAwardees
have been selected!
Congratulations to:
Andrea Skorepa
Joyce Roberts
John Keasler
Fred Davis
Larry Edmond
Please join us on May 9th 5-6:30pm to honor this year’s Wise Elder Changemaker Awardees and hear them speak on a panel to share their work, wisdom and light! Register here!
The Third Annual
Wise Elder ChangemakerAwardees
have been selected!
Congratulations to:
Andrea Skorepa
Joyce Roberts
John Keasler
Fred Davis
Larry Edmond
Please join us on May 9th 5-6:30pm to honor this year’s Wise Elder Changemaker Awardees and hear them speak on a panel to share their work, wisdom and light! Register here!
With deep thanks to the
Stein Institute's Center for Healthy Aging and
Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
for their generous support of this award.
Stein Institute's Center for Healthy Aging and
Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
for their generous support of this award.
The 2024 Inaugural "Wise Elder" Changemaker Awardees
Joyce roberts
Joyce is a truly passionate leader, educator, and advocate. She strives towards equity and care for those experiencing homelessness through being part of the San Diego Housing Federation (SDHF) and Residents United Network (RUN). Joyce also sits on the Board of Directors and is 2nd Vice President. Joyce has been an active member of her community through advocating to the City Council for equitable development, curating voter information sessions, and collaborating with law enforcement to create a more just response within how they respond to community members. Joyce is described by her colleagues and peers as someone who “has a knack for bringing people together.” She has received two RUBY Awards presented by the San Diego Housing Federation, and as someone who has experienced homelessness herself she brings dignity, commitment, and passion towards helping and engaging with those around her.
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Larry Edmonds
A Kiowa/Caddo Native American elder hailing from San Diego, Larry has dedicated his life to giving back to his community, leaving an indelible mark through both his artistic endeavors and tireless community service. As an artist, Larry's creations breathe life into the rich tapestry of Native American culture, particularly through his stunning paintings that capture the essence of his heritage with vibrant colors and intricate symbolism. Drawing upon his background in graphic design and proficiency in Adobe applications, Larry infuses his artwork with a modern twist while staying true to traditional themes, showcasing a remarkable fusion of past and present.
Beyond the canvas, Larry's impact extends far and wide through his unwavering commitment to community involvement. Since 2015, he has been an integral part of the San Diego American Indian Youth Center, serving as a coordinator, manager, and programmer dedicated to uplifting Native American youth. His initiatives, ranging from organizing events to fostering community collaborations, have resonated deeply within the community, reaching as far as Pow Wows, GONA gatherings, and various other community events. Larry's dedication to empowering the next generation reflects his profound belief in the importance of preserving cultural heritage and nurturing future leaders. Yet, amid his myriad accomplishments and contributions, Larry remains grounded by his connections to family and his innate spirit of service. A loving father of two daughters and husband to his beloved wife Ruth, Larry's devotion to his loved ones mirrors his broader commitment to mankind and humanity. His involvement in Intertribal sports, Nutrition, Healing Garden, Native crafts and numerous Pow Wows and conferences underscores his tireless efforts to better the lives of those around him. In Larry Edmonds, we find not only an exceptional artist and community leader but also a shining example of the power of compassion and selflessness to effect meaningful change in the world. |
Fred Davis
Fred Davis, a dedicated advocate for seniors in San Diego, embodies a heart brimming with generosity towards his community. As an ambassador and activities volunteer at the Gary and Mary West Senior Center, Fred's unwavering commitment to unhoused and fellow seniors has spanned over two decades. Recognized for his compassion, sincerity, and integrity, Fred was honored with the 2023 Serving Seniors Volunteer of the Year Award. His dedication extends beyond volunteering; Fred served on the California State Senior Legislature and the Housing Committee of Aging and Transportation in San Diego. An ordained minister, Fred passionately promotes civic engagement among seniors, advocating for diversity in the aging experience. Through his actions and leadership, Fred Davis inspires meaningful change within his community.
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John Keasler
As an outspoken voice for the LGBTQ+ community and veterans, John’s contributions to his community extends his legacy beyond the San Diego area. In his time serving in Vietnam, John was exposed to the lively, closeted gay society within the US military in spite of its policies surrounding gay people. Upon coming to San Diego, he became involved locally with the beginnings of the gay rights movement. His accomplishments within the LGBTQ+ community include fighting against Prop 6, a ban on gay and lesbian teachers, and helping to found San Diego’s first organization queer veterans, the San Diego Veterans Association. He has served in the roles of Vice President and Exhibition Coordinator of AIDS Art Alive, the Peer Advocate Coordinator and Trainer for AIDS service agency Being Alive, Vice President and Quality Assurance Chair of the San Diego HIV Consumer Council, and as a Board Member of San Diego Pozabilities. John is also a self-taught visual artist, whose artwork is celebrated and displayed throughout San Diego and the Visual AIDS Archive in New York. Through his joint ventures in art and activism, John inspires us to get involved in our community and make the change we want to see in the world, starting locally in San Diego.
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Andrea Skorepa
Andrea Skorepa is a tireless presence in the San Diego community and beyond, enlightening countless faces throughout her decade-spanning career. While serving as the president andCEO of the nonprofit Casa Familiar for 36 years, she has brought education, health, and service
programs to countless individuals. Casa Familiar’s focus on enhancing the quality of life for the underserved and underrepresented has resulted in the creation of over 750 affordable housing units in South Bay during her tenure, alongside offering more than 40 bilingual programs annually. Skorepa's loving dedication extends to other spheres, evidenced by her advisory positions in education, city planning, redistricting, theatre, and police relations, as well as the Mayor’s Latino Advisory Committee. Despite previous recognition such as the 2011 Ohtli prize from the Institute of Mexicans Abroad and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from California State University, Skorepa's achievements and the myriad lives she has touched far surpass the worth of any accolade. |