The award, given in honor of the efforts made for the Hispanic community, is named for the former auxiliary bishop of Denver, now archbishop of San Antonio, Texas.
The organizers said the Friendship Prize has two categories, one for pastoral leadership, one for social justice.
The prize for pastoral leadership was awarded to Socorro García of Brighton, who helped to develop the Hispanic ministry in St. Augustine Parish. Her achievements include a program of catechesis and meetings for married couples.
The prize for leadership in the area of social justice was awarded to Jim García of Arrupe Secondary School. He is a founding member of the Tepeyac Clinic, which offers the Hispanic population education in health care. For more than 20 years, he has worked to implement social policies and programs in the Denver area.
The St. Juan Diego Center opened in 2003. Founded by Archbishop Charles Chaput, the center seeks to respond to the needs of the growing Hispanic population as well as of other underprivileged groups of northern Colorado.
