Honors and Awards
Over the years KDNA's programming and productions have received numerous awards.
At the Latino Radio Summit in Rohnert Park, California, KDNA General Manager Ricardo Garcia was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his dedication and contributions to Spanish language public radio. The conference is coming together of Latino controlled education tadio stations for the purpose of discussing the future of public radio and its importance to Latinos in the United States and Puerto Rico. (2002-09-08)
Radio KDNA Production Manager Jesus Sosa worked hard during 2001 to bring information about HIV and AIDS to the Spanish-speaking community. He mounted an educational campaign that included the production and airing of short informational "capsules", as well as on hour talk shows featuring health care professionals discussing HIV/AIDS prevention. In recognition of this service, the Washington State Department of Health presented him with their AIDS Educator Award for 2001. (2001-11-05)
National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Community Impact Award
"You continue to do extraordinary work to reach out to the community, and to provide them with information that is vital to their health, safety and survival. KDNA is truly exemplary in providing services to your listeners."
In San Francisco at NFCB's Annual Community Radio Conference, March 24, 2001, KDNA received NFCB's Community Impact Award for the third time. (2001-02-24)
State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Washington State Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Award
"We know that our success in the field of substance abuse prevention depends on the support we get from partners like you. Thank you for your commitment to providing healthy communities. We are very pleased to be able to help celebrate your success as your program receives this honor."
Kenneth D Stark, Director, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, State of Washington 10/09/2000 (2001-10-21)
Providence Health Foundation, Providence Community Health Award
On the occasion of KDNA receiving this award, Mary C Selecky, Secretary of the State of Washington Department of Health, wrote
"The Department of Health has often worked with Radio KDNA and is proud to be associated with a public radio station which has a long-standing history of promoting preventive public health messages to farm workers and the Spanish speaking audience of Radio KDNA in Eastern Washington. Your efforts provide an invaluable outreach and link to the community in helping reduce disparaties in health." (2000-03-29)
Radio Bilingue Affiliate of the Year
"Founded more than 21 years ago in Granger, WA, KDNA is the only full-time Spanish-language public station in Washington State. The nonprofit station serves a potential audience of more than 150 thousand Latinos in the Yakima valley. In 1985 KDNA's news producers began contributing to and using the services of Radio Bilingue's network news Noticiero Latino. Listeners from Yakima are frequent voices on the air of Satelite's call-in program Linea Abierta and commentators from KDNA often file reports or provide insights from Washington." (2000-03-14)
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Golden Door Award.
"Each year the Golden Door Award is presented to an individual or organization in Washington State for their outstanding work in promoting dignity and justice for immigrants and refugees. The name of the award is derived from a stanza of Emma Lazarus's poem inscribed on the Statue of Lilberty: '...I lift my lamp beside the golden door..." Radio KDNA was selected to receive the 2000 Golden Door Award because of its strong and passionate advocacy on behalf of immigrants for the past twenty years. The award recognizes that Radio KDNA's programming and services provide critical information and assistance to thousands of people on a daily basis. In addition, KDNA serves as a critical 'hub' for the immigrant community in Eastern and Central Washington.
We are truely grateful for your unwavering dedication to the rights of immigrants, and we are honored to present you with this award."
Vicki Stifter, Executive Director (2000-03-10)
National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Community Impact Award - The second time KDNA received the Impact award. (2000)
NCEC and KDNA executive Director, Ricardo Garcia was honored for outstanding efforts as an advocate for minority children. He received an award from Washington state's Child Protective Services at the "Diversity Is All of Us Conference," sponsored by the Children's Administration of the Department of Social and Health Services.
The awards was presented by DSHS Secretary Lyle Quasim and Washington state first lady Mona Locke. (1999-11-09)
National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Community Impact Award for Access to Health Care in the Yakima Valley
"National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB) presented its first-ever Community Impact Award to KDNA in Granger, WA., in a ceremony during its 24th annual conference in San Francisco. The award honors a station that makes a positive, noticeable impact on its community, primarily through the use of its air. KDNA, a full-time Spanish-language community radio station, won the Community Impact Award for two projects that responded to local needs. The station joined eight school districts in an effort that encouraged parents to get involved in their children's education, contributing its production capabilities and airtime to the partnership; it also produced a public service campaign for the Buena Survey Project, spotlighting small town's needs for a functioning sewer and water system"
From Current, The Public Telecommunications Newspaper, April 19,1999 (1999)
American Folklore Society, Politics, Folklore, and Social Justice Section, William Still Citation for lifetime achievement in community cultural work.
The award goes to organizations or individuals who have combined traditional arts and culture with a vision for social justice. (1999)
Yakima Board of County Commissioners, Recognition of outstanding community Service (1997)
Yakima Valley Business Working for Families Award (1996)
National Educational Film & Video Festival, Silver Apple Award
For production of La Esperanza del Valle (1994)
Pasco School District, Partnership Appreciation (1994)
Yakima Substance Abuse Coalition, Community Service Award (1991)
Washington Trial Lawyers, Outstanding Contributions (1990)
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Silver Award in Community Service category
For Production of Tres Hombres Sin Fronteras (1990)
Yakima Valley OIC, Recognition of special services to the youth employment program (1988)
Southern Christian Leadership Conference, for services in the Humanities
Epilepsy Foundation of America, Certificate of Merit
United Farm Workers, AFL-CIO, Certificate of Appreciation
Church World Service, Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding leadership
