Campus Police Sergeant Angel Castillo Receives Compassion Award

Angel and Gabby (right and second to right) with the awardCampus Police Sergeant Angel Castillo was honored with a Compassion Award at the 24th Annual Stepping In Conference. Hosted by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and College Hospitals, the conference was held at the Doubletree Hotel in Norwalk with more than 500 people in attendance. Sergeant Castillo and his wife Gabby were honored for their demonstration of love and care in fostering five siblings, ages 9 to 15, for the past three years. All five of the children had previously suffered extreme neglect, abuse, and malnutrition. When they first arrived at Angel and Gabby’s home, they all had serious lice infections. None of the children had ever attended school or seen a doctor. They did not know how to read or write. Most of them did not know how to count. They had been living from couch to couch, often forced to sleep in cars.

Over the past three years, Angel and Gabby have given these children love, structure, and security, and allowed them to experience the joy of family for the very first time. All five of the kids are now active in school and extracurricular activities such as sports, cheerleading, music, and choir. They even have traveled all together on family vacations. Last summer, Angel and Gabby took the entire family to Hawaii. The kids were ecstatic about getting on a plane for the first time. Recently, the seven of them have gone on a helicopter tour of Las Vegas, experienced the Long Beach Grand Prix, and enjoyed the Los Angeles Renaissance Fair together.

Despite never attending school before, three of the children have now caught up to their grade levels and the other two are only one year behind, and gaining quickly.

“We applaud CCPD Sergeant Angel Castillo and celebrate with him on receiving this prestigious award,” said Campus Police Chief Don Mueller. “The incredible love and care that he and Gabby have shown towards kids in need is beyond honorable. Cerritos College is lucky to have you as part of our Falcon family!”