Rosie Avila

The Orange County Register newspaper editorial column read, "The election of the "spunky" Rosie Avila to the Santa Ana School Board is the start of a mini revolution."

The day after the election Rosie picked up the newspaper from her front yard and was surprised to see her picture on the front page.  As the top vote-getter, Rosie with her campaign team surprisingly beat out the three incumbents. You can read about the "mini revolution" in her book, America Needs a Superhero. In one of the chapters called "Dealing With the Devil,"  Rosie shared how the city united to recall the Marxist community organizer who was now a school board member.

The  recall election removed him from office for not allowing children to learn in English. Angry Hispanic mothers collected 14,000 signatures when they only needed 8,000 to qualify. School board member Nativo Lopez lost in every precinct by a margin of 2 to 1. In a stunning victory the disgraced Marxist community organizer was kicked out of town. On the school board Rosie was deeply concerned by the horrific sex education plans. With no help from other board members, she was forced to read the shocking plans out load at a public board meeting. Rosie exposed these plans in a 2005 editorial page opinion column called "Sex Education Storm Brewing." In her article she prophesied that parents would soon be evacuating their children from public school.

Rosie's heart broke for the inner city young people in Santa Ana, particularly the children growing up without the guiding hand of a loving father.  Many young people were joining violent gangs, selling drugs and struggling with widespread sexual abuse while often trying to raise or survive their alcoholic or addicted parents.

In 1997, she brought a group of concerned community members together to start a non profit organization "to bring hope and purpose" to these vulnerable young people. Their first after-school program was an old "Rocky-type" boxing club which ran for 15 years until the building was sold. 

Years later she sat in Der Wienerschitzel across from South Coast Plaza and saw a car show in the parking lot.  Talking to the sponsor he gave her his card. "My company is on 4 th Street in Santa Ana." he said. "Oh, is that near that old boxing club?" Rosie asked. The young man standing next to him said, "That gym saved my life!  I worked out there every day during high school. Today I would be dead, in prison, or homeless on drugs if it wasn't for that boxing club."  Rosie just walked away smiling and thanking God.

Other neighborhood sport centers were added including 5 skateboard clubs, wrestling clubs, karate, track and field programs. They also offered school based Bible Character Clubs that included sports and academic tutoring at elementary and intermediate school. In one year her non profit had 800 boys and girls enrolled in these school based programs.

Later in 2008 after running for US Congress her campaign remnant started the Liberty House Boutique at Historical Main Street in Garden Grove. This workplace training site for 16-30 yr olds taught vulnerable youth how to be successful employees and how to start and operate small businesses. Six new businesses were started. Due to a homeless volunteer at our thrift store Rosie has spent 10 years working with people experiencing homelessness. A homeless support group (church) she helped start with the leadership of a beautiful couple is in its 8th year.

Rosie graduated with a BA in Social Science/Missions from Biola University, and earned an elementary teaching credential. She also holds a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership. Rosie Avila was a Biola University Trustees for 20 years, while serving on the Santa Ana School Board for 17 years. Additionally, she was appointed to the City of Santa Ana Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission.  The City also awarded her the Parks and Rec Community Recognition Award for creating youth programs.

In 2001, Rosie was appointed by US President George W. Bush to serve on his President's Commission of White House fellows, assisting in selecting promising candidates to work under cabinet members. She is the President of Liberty House of Orange County, inc and OC Mentoring Ministry Training Classes.

Rosie has been married to Jim Avila for 50 years, has 5 children and 12 grandchildren.