Left Hand Laurel – Andy Lattanzi

The expression "people person" was created precisely for the likes of Niwotian Andy Lattanzi. He genuinely enjoys being around others and has a natural ease when it comes to interacting. Lattanzi uses his warmth and insight to lean in and bring about positive change for individuals and the community. The Left Hand Valley Courier selected Lattanzi as this month's Left Hand Laurel recipient to honor the tremendous contribution of his time and energy volunteering with many local organizations for more than three decades.

In 1974 Lattanzi made Boulder his home base when he was transferred by his employer from Detroit to Denver. Lattanzi, who will be 82 soon, retired from his position as an employee benefits coordinator in 1998. With one foot already in the volunteer world, retirement did not mark the end of Lattanzi's tendency for steady productivity.

What led to his first volunteer position was a heartrending accident in 1985 when his 17-year-old daughter Ellen was killed by a drunk driver in Boulder. Knowing all too well the pain of losing a loved one in this horrific way, followed by the infuriating process of obtaining justice through the court system, Lattanzi became a volunteer advocate with the Boulder County Sheriff's newly created Victim Assistance program in 1987.

Before the program was in place, victims and survivors of violent crimes experienced compound hardships as they were not well cared for throughout legal proceedings. But, with the advent of the Victim Assistance program, advocates like Lattanzi were able to alleviate victims' frustration by providing critical outreach and empowerment.

He also stepped up to work at the Emergency Family Assistance Association resale store and joined Cultivate (formerly Boulder County CareConnect), taking grocery orders and shopping for seniors who have difficulties doing that on their own.

In 2000, his victims' advocacy expertise led to an unexpected new career helping to establish the Boulder County Restorative Justice program for which he served as a coordinator for 10 years.

"I facilitated dialogue between the person who committed the offense, the direct victims, and any community members impacted by the offense, Lattanzi said. "The objective was to allow the offender to gain a sense of how the offense impacted the lives of the victims, the community, and offender, and all families involved."

Through this experience he realized perpetrators and victims are entitled to respect and should be provided with a sense of integrity regardless of how they arrived at this crossroad. Being humble in the face of difficult circumstances and genuinely caring about people brought Lattanzi to his most recent volunteer position at Longmont's OUR Center.

OUR Center provides resources and tools for people living below the poverty level (those who are the working poor or homeless, seniors on fixed incomes, those who are disabled or unemployed) to meet their needs and reach self-sufficiency.

"OUR Center gives me that people connection and I've gotten to know the clients very well," Lattanzi said of his weekly three-hour shift serving hot lunches and cleaning up afterward. Serving participants for the past two years, learning their names, backgrounds, and touching base with them each week to see how they're doing, adds so much value to his life. He hopes those he interacts with feel the same.

Armando Escobar, chef and kitchen coordinator at OUR Center, said, "Andy is a very attentive person who's always ready to help and ready to do his part in helping our community. In the amount of time I have been able to work with him, I've noticed how important it is for him to make a positive change in the community. He's a very friendly person who always greets you with a smile."

Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, kitchen volunteers' normal routines have been replaced by pre-boxed meals handed to participants outside the building, which means Lattanzi's role at OUR Center is on hold until it's safe to go back to face-to-face meals.

For nearly 10 years, Lattanzi has also enjoyed weekly involvement in a World Affairs discussion group of anywhere from 35 to 50 people. He's an avid reader, particularly on the topics of politics and history. An enthusiastic international traveler, because of COVID-19, Lattanzi postponed two 2020 trips.

Lattanzi and his wife Linda, a retired nurse, moved to Niwot in 2016 where they quickly formed connections with fellow senior neighbors. The couple bikes often - making two or three journeys a week from Niwot to Sandstone Ranch. Andy also carries the distinction of having run the Bolder Boulder race 35 times.

Lattanzi said he's looking forward to when it's possible to serve lunches at OUR Center so he can once again enjoy the company of others in that setting while making a difference.

Do you know someone who volunteers within the community and should be honored with a Left Hand Laurel? Please send your suggestions to [email protected].