Photos Courtesy of Pedro Chavez.
SANTA PAULA — One Step A La Vez proudly celebrated an unforgettable evening of recognition and community support at the Best of Heritage Valley Awards presented by the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, held at the beautiful Palazzio Event Center.
One Step A La Vez was honored with 1st Place – Best Community Service Organization in the Santa Clara River Valley, a recognition that reflects the incredible trust and support of the community we are privileged to serve.
In addition to this top honor, One Step A La Vez was also recognized with:
2nd Place – Best Children’s Activities / Center
3rd Place – Best Non-Profit Organization
These awards highlight the organization’s continued commitment to empowering teens, supporting families, and creating positive opportunities throughout the Santa Clara River Valley region.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us and continues to support our mission,” said Pedro Chavez who serves as the organization’s Executive Director,. “These recognitions belong to our entire community and to every individual who believes in the work we do each day.”
A very special thank you goes to the incredible team at the One Step Teen Annex Santa Paula — Nena Macias and Sandra Reynoso — for their extraordinary leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to local Santa Paula teens and their families. The growth and impact experienced over the past year are a direct reflection of their passion and hard work.The unprecedented growth we experienced this year and the opportunities delivered to teens, their families, and communities were made possible through a collaborative partnership with the Museum of Ventura County and the Port of Hueneme. Programming for these underserved youth has been provided free of charge on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Agricultural Museum in Santa Paula.
As proudly displayed on the team’s lanyards, One Step A La Vez truly is “One Amazing Team!”
The organization also extends sincere appreciation to its board, staff, volunteers, community partners, families, and supporters who continue to contribute to the success of its mission. Together, One Step A La Vez is making a meaningful difference every single day.
For more information about One Step A La Vez and its programs, please visit www.MyOneStep.org.
About One Step A LA Vez
One Step A La Vez is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering teens, families, and underserved communities through education, leadership development, workforce readiness, and culturally responsive supportive services. The organization creates opportunities that help individuals build confidence, achieve personal and professional goals, and strengthen their connection to their community. Through mentorship, career pathways, advocacy, and collaborative partnerships, One Step A La Vez focuses on creating safe spaces and lasting positive change by guiding people toward self-sufficiency, equity, and long-term success—one step at a time.
