Rep. Neguse Announces Juana Mendoza as Winner of 2024 Polly Baca Raíces Fuertes Community Leader Award in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

Lafayette, CO — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse and his staff announced Juana Mendoza is the recipient of the 2024 Polly Baca Raíces Fuertes Community Leader Award while at Downtown Longmont’s Día de Muertos Family Celebration. Juana has served the people of Boulder County for more than 30 years, providing critical support to often underserved communities and to families of diverse backgrounds through her work at the Office of Housing and Human Services and the Case Management and Community Outreach Division. 
 
“The Honorable Polly Baca devoted her life to serving others, and as we come together to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories that shape Colorado’s vibrant Latino community, I can think of no better recipient of this year’s award than Juana Mendoza. Her unwavering dedication to ensuring that people of all backgrounds have access to life-changing programs that pave the way for success, and her tireless work and passion, continue to inspire countless Coloradans,” said Congressman Neguse.
 
Each year, the Polly Baca Raíces Fuertes Community Service Award honors individuals who represent the qualities of service to others and the uplifting of the Latino community that former State Senator Polly Baca embodies. Rep. Neguse established the award in 2020 to recognize an exemplary leader in the 2nd Congressional District who best exhibits commitment to the service of others. 
 
About Juana Mendoza: 
 
Juana Mendoza devoted more than three decades of service to the families and communities of Boulder County. She has an unwavering commitment to ensuring that people of all backgrounds, particularly those in the Latino community, have access to programs that help them achieve success. She played a critical role in shaping Boulder County’s Early Intervention Team, working as an Early Intervention Support Specialist for 17 years. In this role, she promoted child well-being and prevented abuse and neglect by serving the whole family.
 
Throughout her career, Juana went above and beyond to provide life-changing support to underserved families. She often extended herself beyond traditional business hours, office settings, job descriptions, and the standard lifecycle of a case, nurturing and maintaining thriving intergenerational relationships with children and families.
 
As a mentor to countless social workers, public servants, and leaders in Boulder County, Juana consistently led by example. Even in her retirement, she continues to serve the people and community she loves by volunteering to help victims of human trafficking and people living with addictions in Boulder County.