Tai Honored for Women's History Month!

For Immediate Release: March 31, 2011	Contact: Joan Scott (213) 744-2111
Assemblyman Mike Davis hosted Women's History Month Ceremony at City Hall Rotunda honoring five community leaders: Tai Collins, Jacqueline Castillo, Celia C. Ayala, Ph.D., Bobbie Jean Anderson and Scarlett Eum
Assemblyman Davis with the 48th District’s 2011 Women’s History Month Honorees, (L to R):  Scarlett Eum, Tai Collins, Jacqueline Castillo, Bobbie Jean Anderson, Celia C. Ayala, Ph.D. LOS ANGELES – March 24, 2011 – Assemblyman Mike Davis (D-48) hosted an elegant  Annual Women’s History Month Ceremony at the City Hall Rotunda on Thursday, March 24, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  This year’s honorees were five outstanding women who have contributed greatly to the Los Angeles community: Tai Collins, Founder and Executive Director, A Chance for Children; Jacqueline Castillo, Founder and President, Legacy Ladies, Inc.; Celia C. Ayala, Ph.D., CEO, Los Angeles Universal Preschool; Bobbie Jean Anderson, Community Activist; Scarlett Eum, President, Korean American Federation. “We are pleased to celebrate National Women’s History Month by honoring five outstanding citizens who have helped improve the quality of life for residents in Los Angeles County,” remarked Assemblyman Mike Davis.  “Each of these women contributes to making Los Angeles County a great place to live.  Their commitment to helping others, whether its children in their community, their neighborhoods, families in need or businesses in our city, makes them great citizens worthy of recognition.” March is National Women’s History Month and is an ideal time to consider the many ways that women, these distinguished honorees in particular, have changed our community.  Each one has worked tirelessly and diligently in their chosen fields to make a difference in the lives of others. The inspirational remarks from these phenomenal women had a common thread – a passion for service to others.
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Tai Honored for Women's History Month!

William Taylor, Assemblyman Mike Davis, Tai Collins, Special Fleming, Robyn Taylor, Lelar Marshall

Tai was honored by the Assembly of the State of California by Assemblyman Mike Davis for Women's History Month at City Hall in Los Angeles.

For event pictures go to: www.48thadevents.org/womens-history-month.html#

Exerpts from Tai’s Speech

Since I was a child I have always loved and been intrigued by “Angels” – so how appropriate that I would end up living and pursuing my dreams here in the “City of Angels” – and that my calling would be caring for the little angels of here.

I am incredibly grateful to be honored alongside these other remarkable women – but my best reward comes from the relationships I have with the children in this community – relationships that will forever be a part of me –

My gift comes every week when I arrive at Tom Bradley Elementary School, or MLK Park,  or 92^nd Street Elementary or to the police station to work with kids – and I’m greeted with amazing love and hugs and kids faces lighting up calling out – “Miss Tai!”

We plant seeds, and we never know how they will grow. When I began this foundation, I never dreamed how it would blossom.

After almost 20 years serving in this city, I am on my second generation of children and many of the youth I now work with are the children of my first kids.

It is the children and their parent who will always hold a special place in my heart – who I have lifelong relationships with. They have enriched my life and simply made my life better…

When parents like Lora, who is here tonight, say to me referring to her daughter Lelar  – “your girl is growing up.” Or Robin and William Taylor’s parents say to me --  “my kids are your kids.” Or when Special says to me, “you’re like my family.”

That is my greatest reward. To the parents I say, Thank You for sharing your children with me! I am honored to consider them mine too!

I am thankful to my partner in A Chance for Children Greg Bonann, and for all the amazing partners and volunteers who help me make what I do possible… like Desiree Manuel… and Kim Matthews for providing transportation to so many events… they all help make what I do possible. From Marissa to Raul to the LAPD – I offer a huge thank you.

Greg and I have always had a saying – that children go where there is fun but they stay where there is love.  I love the children I serve – my hope and belief is that they know that.

I’d like to end with a quote from Mother Teresa. She said; “The miracle is not that we do the work, but that we are happy to do it.”

I could not be any happier serving the precious, priceless, amazing children of Los Angeles.