JWB Employee Recognized by Largo for Hispanic Heritage Month

Community Engagement Manager Yaridis Garcia with the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB) was recognized as Largo’s 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Honoree at the City Commission Meeting on September 17.  

After opening the meeting with an official proclamation of Hispanic Heritage Month in Largo running September 15 to October 15, Mayor Woody Brown (pictured above. right) invited Largo’s Community Engagement Administrator Julianne Perez, who is also Chair of JWB’s Mid-County Community Council, to introduce Ms. Garcia (above, left) and the reason she was being honored during Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Ms. Perez remarked on Garcia’s impactful work and contributions throughout Pinellas County and in Largo in particular: “We recognize your leadership at JWB and with local partners, which brings great value to community members…. We know that you have also been a tremendous advocate and community connector for Spanish-speaking and Hispanic/Latino families, expanding access to critical information and resources for those communities. We see your dedication to supporting a healthy, happy, and safe community for everyone and we greatly appreciate all you do!”

In her response, Ms. Garcia expressed deep appreciation to the City Commissioners for this honor and spoke in her usual heartfelt way about how her heritage inspires and informs the work she does in the community. 

Each year, JWB invests more than $6.5 million in seven Neighborhood Family Centers to provide comprehensive, core family-support services and programs. Each site uniquely serves its diverse citizens, including families of Hispanic heritage, and promotes the necessary protective factors that foster child well-being and strengthen families.

JWB is immensely proud of Ms. Garcia for her contributions to our work and applauds her leadership throughout the County; Interim CEO Michael G. Mikurak (second from right below) and COO Karen Boggess (right) joined Ms. Garcia and her husband (to her immediate left) as well Largo staff and JWB Community Members to witness the recognition ceremony. We wholeheartedly agree with Largo City Commission’s recognition of her dedication and example as they celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.