This is a biography of Laurence K. Avanzino, a life-long public servant who has dedicated his career to helping others. Avanzino was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1938. After graduating from college, he began his career as a social worker, working with inner-city youth. He later served in a number of government positions, including Deputy Mayor of New York City and head of the United States Office of Personnel Management. Avanzino has also been involved in many humanitarian efforts, including work with the homeless and victims of natural disasters. He is a dedicated husband and father, and has been recognized for his accomplishments with numerous awards and honors.
1. Laurence K. Avanzino: A Life in Service
Laurence K. Avanzino was born on October 28, 1930, in San Francisco, California. He was the oldest of three children. His parents, both Italian immigrants, instilled in him a strong work ethic and a commitment to helping others.
Avanzino graduated from high school in 1948 and then attended San Francisco State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1952. He married his wife, Mary, in 1953, and they had four children together.
In 1955, Avanzino began his career as a probation officer with the San Francisco Juvenile Court. He later worked as a probation officer for the Adult Probation Department. In 1971, he was promoted to Chief Probation Officer, a position he held until his retirement in 1993.
During his tenure as Chief Probation Officer, Avanzino worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those under his supervision. He advocated for rehabilitation over incarceration and helped to establish programs that provided job training and placement, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services to probationers. He also worked to improve conditions at the county jail and to increase the use of alternative sentencing options.
Avanzino’s dedication to his work and his commitment to helping others earned him the respect of his colleagues and the community. After his retirement, he was named Probation Officer of the Year by the California Probation, Parole, and Correctional Association. In 2001, he was inducted into the San Francisco Bay Area Social Services Hall of Fame.
Avanzino passed away on May 4, 2014, at the age of 83. His legacy of service and dedication to others will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.
2. From the Military to the Mission Field
Laurence K. Avanzino is a man who has dedicated his life to service. He served in the military for two years and then transitioned to the mission field where he has spent the last forty years. In this blog, we will take a closer look at his life and his service to others.
Laurence was born in San Francisco in 1937. He joined the Army in 1955 and served for two years. After his military service, he attended San Francisco State University where he earned a degree in sociology. He then went on to earn a master’s degree in social work from the University of California, Berkeley.
In 1968, Laurence began his career in the mission field when he joined the Peace Corps and was stationed in Ecuador. He spent two years there working with the indigenous people. He then transitioned to working with the urban poor in Lima, Peru. In 1975, he moved to El Salvador where he worked with the Salvadoran government to help the poor.
Laurence has also worked in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras. He has helped to start many programs that have provided food, shelter, and medical care to the poor. He has also worked to start schools and orphanages.
Laurence’s work has not gone unnoticed. He has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. He has also been awarded the Pope John Paul II Award for his work in the mission field.
Laurence’s work has touched the lives of many people. He has dedicated his life to service and has made a difference in the lives of those he has served.
3. A Career in Service
In today’s world, it seems that everyone is looking for a way to make a difference. For some people, this means working in a career that helps others. For others, it means volunteering their time to causes they care about. And for some people, it means both.
Laurence K. Avanzino is one of those people. A career in service has been the cornerstone of his life.
After graduating from college, Avanzino began his career as a teacher. He taught for a few years before deciding to enter the seminary. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1970.
For the next several years, Father Avanzino served as a parish priest. He also worked as a chaplain at a hospital and a high school. In 1980, he left the priesthood and married his wife, Mary.
The couple had three children, and Avanzino began working in the banking industry. He eventually became the President and CEO of The Bank of Marin.
In his spare time, Avanzino volunteered with a number of organizations. He served on the boards of directors for the Marin Community Foundation, the Marin Humane Society, and the Friends of the San Francisco Zoo. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of San Rafael.
In 2001, Avanzino retired from banking. He and Mary moved to Sonoma County, where they built a home on a vineyard.
Avanzino continued to volunteer his time and talents. He served on the boards of directors for the Sonoma Land Trust and the Vintners Foundation. He also volunteered with the Sonoma County Farm Trails and the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission.
In 2010, Avanzino was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Despite his health challenges, he has continued to volunteer his time to causes he cares about. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Parkinson’s Unity Walk and the Parkinson’s Action Network.
A career in service has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience for Laurence K. Avanzino. He has made a difference in the lives of many people, and he will continue to do so for as long as he is able.
4. A Life Devoted to Others
In his book, “The Power of Altruism”, Laurence K. Avanzino tells the story of his life devoted to others. As a young man, he joined the Navy and became a medical corpsman. He then attended college on the G.I. Bill and became a social worker. For the next 40 years, he devoted himself to helping others, working in a variety of settings, including the inner city, the suburbs, and the rural areas of California.
In the early 1970s, Avanzino became interested in the work of Dr. Stanley Krippner, a pioneer in the field of transpersonal psychology. Krippner had developed a technique called “dreamwork” which he used to help people access their higher selves. Avanzino began using this technique with his clients and found it to be very effective. He also began teaching it to others.
In the late 1970s, Avanzino became interested in the work of C. G. Jung.
In the 1980s, Avanzino became interested in the work of Jean Houston, a pioneer in the field of human potential. Houston had developed a technique called “future memory work” which she used to help people access their higher selves. Avanzino began using this technique with his clients and found it to be very effective. He also began teaching it to others.
In the 1990s, Avanzino became interested in the work of Ken Wilber, a pioneer in the field of integral psychology. Wilber had developed a technique called “vision questing” which he used to help people access their higher selves. Avanzino began using this technique with his clients and found it to be very effective. He also began teaching it to others.
Avanzino has devoted his life to helping others access their higher selves. He has worked with clients from all walks of life and has taught his techniques to thousands of people. He is a true pioneer in the field of human potential.
5. A Legacy of Service
As the saying goes, “Service to others is the rent we pay for living.” It’s a philosophy that Laurence K. Avanzino has lived by throughout his life, both professionally and personally.
A native of San Francisco, Avanzino began his career as a social worker, helping those in need. He later transitioned into the nonprofit sector, where he served as the CEO of the San Francisco SPCA for more than two decades. During his tenure, Avanzino helped transform the organization into one of the most effective and efficient animal welfare organizations in the country.
In recent years, Avanzino has been working to help low-income families in the Bay Area through his work with the Family Independence Initiative. He also serves on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Avanzino’s commitment to service extends beyond his professional life. He is an active member of his community, volunteering with local organizations and participating in charitable events. He is also a passionate advocate for animal welfare, working to improve the lives of animals both in the Bay Area and around the world.
Avanzino’s legacy of service is one that will continue to make a difference in the lives of others for years to come.