We missed this fantastic news last fall: Ray Lopez was named a 2008 recipient of the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leader Awards.

Ray is a hero in our small NYC bed bug advocate community for helping the families of East Harlem cope with bed bug infestations as part of his Environmental Health Program at Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service.

This is a short quote from the press release:

He visits disadvantaged families tormented daily by mold, rodent and insect infestation and other environmental health problems festering in their homes. Lopez empowers families by educating them on the root causes of their environmental health issues and teaching them firsthand the skills to resolve their hazardous situations. In-turn, families often lend their newfound expertise to neighbors facing similar conditions – multiplying the number of poor households receiving needed help.

We are so proud to count Ray as a friend to our cause and so very happy for him; it’s so just a recognition of Ray’s extraordinary work.

These pages may be of related interest:

1. M&M interviews Brewer and others
2. Turning a corner