Executive Helps Out Youth Group in Need

Augie Maldonado was just schmoozing, checking out the booths at a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce convention in San Francisco last year, when he hit the jackpot.

Standing behind a telecommunications information display was Richard Gamez, an MCI account executive from Culver City.

The two connected immediately. Maldonado, 52, a recovered drug addict, was struggling to keep Salud, his San Fernando-based anti-gang and anti-drug youth group, afloat on a shoestring budget in borrowed office space. Gamez was a 26-year-old executive who “practically grew up” in a similar kind of city youth club.

Maldonado told Gamez he needed funds to keep his group of troubled teen-agers coming back to use the computers, train in Salud’s boxing exhibition program, learn leadership skills--and stay out of trouble. Gamez gave him a business card and asked him to keep in touch.

Last week, Gamez called Maldonado and informed him that Salud, which means health in Spanish, would be the recipient of a $10,000 grant from MCI. “I really liked their program,” said Gamez, who visited Salud’s headquarters after returning from the convention. “I know how important those kinds of places are for kids today.”

For the fledgling youth group, the money couldn’t come at a better time. A $72,000 earthquake recovery assistance grant that helped launch Salud in May has dwindled to about $9,000.

“This grant allows us to keep our doors open for another six months,” Maldonado said, noting that the funds will help defray operating costs such as insurance and transportation, and could help purchase new office equipment to train youths.