Proud to cater UCLA's Labor Center
Stories from our clients.
Good Heart Delivers
UCLA's Labor Center doing good work.
Who are they and what do they do? The UCLA Labor center was founded in 1964 through a joint labor-university committee to 'bring together workers, students, faculty, and policymakers to address the most critical issues facing working people today.' We at Good Heart Catering have had the pleasure of serving the staff at the Labor Center in Westlake Los Angeles over the years through our café and now through our catering company. It has always been a point of pride that we have the opportunity to serve those who have worked for years to bring about labor justice in LA. Today we take a moment to introduce to you and to ask some interview questions to the individuals that makeup UCLA's Labor Center in Westlake to find out what motivates them and what accomplishments they are most proud of.
Victor Narro
Victor started his career in law school and has been with the labor center for over 14 years championing workers rights.
Who are some of your heroes?
• St.Francis of Assissi
• Thích_Nhất_Hạnh (Zen buddhist minister & activist for peace)
• Cesar Chavez
What motivates you to be a part of a non-profit?
Growing up in New York in the 60s among the violence and poverty very much shaped victors commitment to social justice for others. Even though many of his law classmates went on to financially rewarding legal careers Victor has no regrets about the path he has chosen. If the chance were there to choose another path he wouldn't change a thing.
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
Among his many accomplishments, Victor is especially proud of the policy campaign to support immigrants and workers rights. He is also proud of the book he has written Living Peace -Connecting your spirituality with your work for social justice where Victor Narro reveals how the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi shape his work, teaching him the way of peace, love, and service.
Diego Sepulveda
Diego Sepulveda is no stranger to media and has been an achiever all his life. He has been covered by news organizations such as ABC WORLD NEWS with Diane Sawyer, KCET and National Public Radio for his achievements. Currently he is the lead to the alumni network for Dream Summer which he encourages everyone to visit.
Who are some of your heroes?
Diego took no time in answering that his parents are his most respected heroes above all. His parents came as immigrants to the states and struggled to make a positive environment for Diego while living in the shadows of immigration policy. From an social change perspective Diego also, pointed to Hilda Solis https://hildalsolis.org/ as being an inspiration who is now on the LA county board of supervisors for her work as a trailblazer in policy for workers rights.
What motivates you to be a part of a non-profit?
The ability to make direct impact on peoples lives for the better.
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
Diego is most proud of the campaign against wage theft and also the fight for $15. He is also extremely proud to be a part of UCLA Dream Summer Program as it's Almuni network lead.
Ana Rosa Rizo-Centino
Ana rosa has been involed in community activism since 1998 and is currently workign at the Labor Cnter through the summer institute on union women. http://www.labor.ucla.edu/get-involved/siuw/
Who are some of your heroes?
Ana counts Mom and Dad, Dolores huerta (labor and civil rights activist) Cesar Chaves, Pope Francis, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, and Gandhi among her heroes. As she put it "They are all hard workers who love with their whole heart and fight for what they believe in. " And we couldn’t agree more.
What motivates you to be a part of a non-profit?
"Fighting for a better world for my daughters"
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
Ana is most proud of giving birth to 2 beautiful daughters Adelita and Gloria to whom she can pass on the spirit of justice.
Shukry Cattan
Shukry is the development coordinator, helping to bring in much needed funding to support the activites of the Labor Center. We have included a link here for those of you who would like to make a contribution to the organization.
Who are some of your heroes?
Shukry named a peace activist from Palestine, Hannan Ashrawi, a Christian Palestinian activist with a very strong message of equality and non violent means of discourse. Her model of activism is one that Shukry aims to emulate.
What motivates you to be a part of a non-profit?
"More meaningful results to make change. Help improve the lives of others and most importantly to plant the seeds to a better society to live in. Besides the social change I'm deeply motivated by the great people I work with and their dedication to selfless social work."
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
His proudest moments with the Labor center was the policity work on wage theft and the recent 15 dollar minimum wage increase campaign.
Give the Labor Center a hand.
UCLA Labor Centers Major Projects
- The Dream Resource Center advances the leadership of students to promote equal access to higher education and pathways to citizenship.
- The Global Solidarity Project collaborates with labor leaders, scholars, and activists to address common worker issues in the United States, Mexico, and the Pacific Rim.
- The Los Angeles Black Worker Center addresses the Black job crisis by developing grassroots leadership to improve access to employment.
- The Re:Work Institute for Worker Justice partners with worker centers and unions to improve conditions in low-wage industries and strengthen the enforcement of existing workplace laws.
- The UCLA Labor and Workplace Studies Minor trains students to tackle real-world community and workplace issues through interdisciplinary courses, leadership training, and internship opportunities.