County honors lifeguards, youth ambassadors and South Valley Economic Development Center

Bernalillo County commissioners on Aug. 4 presented proclamations to recognize three community efforts: South Valley Aquatic Center lifeguards who performed a life‑saving rescue in June, the inaugural Gen P (Generation Peace) youth ambassadors for their work during the Summer of Nonviolence initiative, and the 20th anniversary of the South Valley Economic Development Center (SVEDC), a program of the Rio Grande Community Development Corporation. Commissioner Frank Baca read a proclamation honoring the South Valley Aquatic Center lifeguard team for an incident on June 23 in which staff performed CPR and coordinated emergency response until the swimmer regained consciousness. The proclamation named lifeguards and staff acknowledged for their professionalism and training. Vice Chair Barboa presented recognition to the Gen P team — Shayla Apodaca, Yitzel Eze Fernandez, Parnav Joshi, Jada Hay Poitier and Jalen Valdez — who served as teen ambassadors for the Summer of Nonviolence initiative run by Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque. Staff said Gen P helped produce drive‑in movies, teen dances and athletic events that engaged thousands of young people and expanded reach through media and social campaigns. Commissioner Baca also read a proclamation marking 20 years of the South Valley Economic Development Center (SVEDC), a program of the Rio Grande Community Development Corporation. Executive Director Javier Rojo accepted the recognition and described the SVEDC’s work incubating food and small businesses, operating a commercial kitchen and supporting over 200 businesses since 2005. Commissioners said the recognitions highlighted community volunteers, county staff and nonprofit partners working to keep residents safe and expand economic opportunity.