We proudly congratulate Monica Alcaraz, President of the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, on receiving the Highland Park Independent Film Festival’s 2015 Humanitarian Award. A tireless community organizer and activist as well as a fervent promoter of independent cinema, Monica has been involved in numerous efforts to improve the quality of life for the community she loves so much. Born and raised in Highland Park, she has been an impassioned force of the fabric of this community for decades and has utilized her time and resources to make it a better place.
Monica has lived in Highland Park her entire life. She has made a lifelong commitment to using her skills as an organizer and communicator to help others in her community. During her term as HHPNC president, she has worked hard to raise awareness, elevate the council’s reach, and build partnerships and relationships with other organizations within Highland Park and Northeast Los Angeles. She has led many community clean-ups, three political debates, a Rock-the-Vote Campaign, and assisted with the winning design of the York/Ave50 Park, among other activities. The Council recently received an EmpowerLA Award for their efforts to bring positive change and move Highland Park forward.
Before she was President, Monica was an At-Large Member of the Neighborhood Council–a seat she was appointed to after volunteering to build the council a website, free of charge.
Alcaraz currently works in the alternative energy field, is an active member of the Aldama Elementary PTA, and recently became involved with the neighborhood’s efforts to end chronic homelessness in Northeast Los Angeles as a Coordinator to the Northeast Los Angeles Homeless Center.
Monica has also been a tireless promoter of independent cinema in Highland Park. She has been a driving force in finding support of the Highland Park Independent Film Festival’s youth programming at Franklin High School, and her enthusiasm to help the students grow and find their voice through the art of film has been instrumental. The young filmmakers learn skills and make connections that can help them be successful if they choose to pursue a film career.
A mother of two, a daughter who attends Aldama Elementary and a son currently at Pasadena City College, Monica Alcaraz has been quoted saying that her strongest attribute is her “willingness to take action”.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Monica and the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and look forward to more great things from them!
