Dynamic Local Leader Named In NBC's List Of Top 20 Latinos

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — NBC News has confirmed what East End residents have known for a long time: Minerva Perez is a treasure, pure and simple.

The network named Perez as one of its Top 20 Latinos in a list including the "celebrities, young activists, CEOS" and others who "make up "#NBCLatino20."

Perez, the executive director of the Organización Latino-Americana of Eastern Long Island, or OLA, has dedicated her life to helping provide services and support to the Latino immigrant community on the East End.

"Perez started out as a volunteer in the organization and is now its first executive director," the post said. "She's taken the agency in an expanded direction."

Services include educational classes, forums, computer classes, diversity training for police, and a free van ride program to help transport individuals to medical appointments; she also created "Círculos de Fuerza", or "Circles of Strength", to give people a place to explore their feelings with the help of professionals, and has helped to create scholarships and arts, finance and health programs, the post added.

Perez said she was thrilled with the honor.

"I was surprised and then I reminded myself that OLA is truly breaking new ground on the East End and people are paying attention," she said. "None of this is possible in a vacuum. It is with the support from our full community that OLA can hope to have a lasting positive impact."