Gladys Vega of the Chelsea Collaborative may not fit the physical profile of a National Football League (NFL) player, but her impact on community issues rivals that of any hard-charging New England Patriots linebacker. The Patriots and NFL recently recognized her contributions with a special honor.
During the third quarter of the New England Patriots-Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Sept. 22, Vega took the field at Gillette Stadium to receive the NFL’s Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. Patriots owner Bob Kraft and former Patriot linebacker Andre Tippett presented the award to her. Nationwide, only 32 Hispanic leaders received this recognition, with each of the NFL’s 32 teams selecting one honoree annually.
The Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards program is now in its third year, with ceremonies held at games scheduled for late September each year. Hispanic Heritage Month itself spans from late September through mid-October.
Recipients of the award designate a local organization to receive a $2,000 contribution from the NFL.
Vega directed her donation to the Chelsea Summer Youth Employment Initiative. Founded in September 2001 with the goal of reducing and eliminating youth violence, the SYEI has since placed hundreds of young people in jobs while keeping them engaged and teaching them employment skills.