2007 Immigrant & Refugee Contributions Awards & Recognition Ceremony

On October 25th, 2007, Changing Worlds hosted its third annual Immigrant & Refugee Contributions Awards & Recognition Ceremony at Rumba as part of Chicago's Immigrant and Refugee Week and United Nations Day activities. It was an evening dedicated to honoring and embracing diversity in Chicago. Over 150 guests joined Changing Worlds to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2007 Honorees and the culturally rich composition of the city and surrounding suburbs.

2007 Honorees

Community & Civic Leadership
Rev. Eardley Mendis, Pastor at Purna Jiwan South Asian Church

Sports & Entertainment
Vichitra Nayyar, Founder of Chitrahar Broadcasting

The Arts
Jose Luis Ovalle, Founder of The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago

Entrepreneurial & Business Leadership
Helen Teplitskaia, President of Siberian Energy and Adjunct Associate Professor at Northwestern University

Education
Klirking ‘Byron’ Espinoza, Director of Technology at Erie Neighborhood House

The Immigrant & Refugee Contributions Awards and Educational Series was created by Changing Worlds to celebrate diversity by recognizing and honoring the valuable contributions made to Chicago by immigrants, refugees and their children. The first of its kind in the city, the series strives to create awareness, foster positive human relations, dispel stereotypes, enhance cross-cultural understanding and provide role models for Chicago’s youth.

For more information, including honoree bios and the 2008 nomination ballot, visit the Awards & Education Series page.