Organizational History & Mission

The Center for Community and Justice (Formerly the Council on Hispanic Education) is a non-profit organization founded in September 1996.  The mission of the Centro de Comunidad y Justicia is to organize community-based efforts to improve the education, economic and social status of Latinos in Idaho . The primary focus of our work is targeted towards local Idaho communities with high concentrations of low to moderate income Latino families in need of health, education, housing, employment and other types of social services.

Centro de Comunidad y Justicia is a private non-profit corporation organized under and pursuant to the Idaho Nonprofit Corporation Act, Chapter 3, Title 30, Idaho Code.  The organization is exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Idaho Partnership for Hispanic Health
Community Advisory Board meeting

CCJ STAFF - BIOGRAPHIES

Sam Byrd

Mr. Sam Byrd has more than 25 years of experience in working with a variety of public and private sector organizations. He speaks English and Spanish fluently, is a dynamic public speaker, adept at strategic planning and an expert in diversity issues.

As a community facilitator, he has been a leader in various cultural and human rights groups, including the Task Force on Hispanic Education, the Idaho Committee on Indian Education, the Idaho Inclusiveness Coalition, the Idaho Human Rights Education Center, and the Council on Hispanic Education. Mr. Byrd currently serves on the University of Idaho’s Diversity and Human Rights Committee, and the Boise State University – Selland College Advisory Committee, the YMCA board of Directors, and the Albertson College of Idaho board of directors.

Sam has been the recipient of a number of awards including the Larry G. Selland Humanitarian Award by the Boise State University Women’s Center, the national Howard Swearer Humanitarian Award by the Campus Compact, the University of Idaho President’s Medallion and the Distinguished Leadership in Human Rights award by Hewlett-Packard.

Larry Olvera

Mr. Larry Olvera is the newest member to the CCJ team and serves as the Community Liaison. He recently graduated from Albertson College of Idaho, now the College of Idaho, with a Bachelor’s in Arts. He earned his degree in Political Economy and two minors in Spanish and Leadership.

While in college he was active in student organizations, participating in over nine recognized organizations. He has been a leader the various student organizations including holding leadership positions in the Albertson Latino Americano Students organization, Students in Free Enterprise, Latino Intercollegiate Leaders of Idaho, and in student government. During his junior year he was elected as the student body Vice President and served as president of their senate. He has organized/founded over four high school student leadership conferences and helped create the Albertson College Philanthropy Council and the Community Relations Council.

He plays the trumpet and the vihulea and enjoys playing both classical and traditional mariachi music. During his senior year Larry was awarded the Thomas Shearer award for outstanding leadership and service to the Albertson community.