Description

For Immediate Release Tuesday, November 6, 2012, Mayor Chuck Reed, Councilmember Kansen Chu and Councilmember Rose Herrera award San Jose Native, 22 year old Kelly Estes with a City Commendation for “her outstanding achievements, continuing efforts on behalf of veterans returning from war and dedication to our community.” Kelly Estes has served the Santa Clara County community since the age of 14 when she began her service as a member of the SCC Youth Task Force where she participated and lead teams focused on social issues most notably Cyber Bullying amongst teens. At 19, Kelly was appointed by Supervisor Ken Yeager and became the youngest sitting SCC Human Relations Commissioner. At 21, Kelly was named Commissioner of the year by here peers and took on the role of Chair for the SCC Justice Review Committee, the youngest ever to hold this position. Due to her family’s long history of service Kelly has a rather unique passion for military service veterans specifically those attempting reintegration into our community inflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and is the accomplished author of the Novel entitled The Cost of Courage which offers a healing message for those suffering. Her strong belief that PTSD among service veterans attempting reintegration into society often results in criminal activity such as drugs, robbery, domestic violence and the like, in 2010 Kelly began her efforts to assemble what has become the Santa Clara County Veterans Proactive Assistance Task Force. The task force is made up of representatives from the community including the District Attorney, Law Enforcement, Medical Professionals, Veterans Services, Veteran Family Support Organizations and SCC Executives.