Stephanie Perez Received Latino Excellence Award
The Massachusetts lawmaker honored the Ludlow resident for her dedicated service to community youth programs.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Hispanic
State Sen. Jake Oliveira presented the 2026 Latino Excellence Award to Stephanie Perez in recognition of her ongoing leadership and community contributions. The award is presented annually by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus to honor outstanding Latino community leaders.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the essential work of community leaders who support youth development across the state. It specifically honors those who have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to service and civic engagement within the Massachusetts Latino community.
Stephanie Perez brings 16 years of professional experience from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families to her current leadership role. She currently serves as the director of programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee.
The players
Stephanie Perez
She is a resident of Ludlow who serves as the director of programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee.
Jake Oliveira
He is a State Senator who represents constituents in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus
This body represents members of the state legislature and presents annual awards to recognize Latino community leadership.
The details
Perez oversees all youth and teen programming at the Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee, a position she has held since joining the organization in 2023. Beyond her local work, she contributes to the statewide landscape by serving on the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year Committee.
Timeline
Perez joined the Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee in 2023.
Perez received the 2026 Latino Excellence Award.
Roadmap
This award is part of a broader effort by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus to formalize recognition for local community contributions. The initiative follows a trend of legislative bodies identifying and elevating grassroots leaders to bridge the gap between state policy and local social services.
The recognition of local leaders like Perez often draws greater attention to regional youth programming and support networks. Residents can see the impact of these initiatives through the expanded quality and variety of teen development programs at local institutions like the Boys & Girls Club.
The takeaway
Recognizing dedicated service providers provides a roadmap for others interested in civic engagement and community-focused career paths. These honors underscore the vital role that individuals with long-term public service experience play in shaping effective local youth programming.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest community developments in the Hispanic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 22 News WWLP.
