- Date Of Birth: February 19, 1960
- Date Of Death: January 5, 2016
- State: Georgia
Luis A. Velez passed away after a two year battle with cancer. He was born on Welfare in a single parent led household in the South Bronx, NYC. Despite coming from extremely humble beginnings, he graduated from Princeton University and dedicated 25 years of his professional career to providing human services to underprivileged children and families. He worked in various capacities, including the non-profit, government and foundation sector. Luis directed a number of programs, including Roxbury Youth Works, Boston Children Services, NYC Jobs for Youth, the NYC Department of Juvenile Justice, the NY Community Trust, among others. He was the first Puerto Rican to serve as the Vice Chair of the Boston School Committee.
Later in life, Luis earned a law degree Suma Cum Laude from Georgia State University College of Law (top 2%, 7 CALI Awards). He assisted the Manely Firm in Atlanta and Marietta Georgia to develop the Justice Café, a low bono model that provides moderate income individuals with far lower rates of legal services than they would have to pay in the Atlanta area ($300+ an hour).
Luis served needy individuals until the end of his life. He is survived by Raquel, his beloved wife of 27 years, their loving children, Maria and Anthony, and his close knit siblings, Nellie, Roberto, and Nancy. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Jeffrey, sister-in-law, Natalie, and niece, Noelle.
