Martin Jabro’s business philosophy can be summed up in three words: People before profit.

    The energetic owner of Bruno’s Market (2988 Imperial Avenue 92102) – a full-service grocery store in the heart of San Diego’s central region – Jabro has carved out time in his busy work schedule to develop a partnership with the Latino Youth Council to prevent underage drinking in the Logan Heights community.

    Motivated by the fact that 36 percent of 9th graders and 76 percent of 11th graders find it very or fairly easy to obtain alcohol, Latino Youth Council set out to develop relationships with business owners who view themselves as part of the solution to promoting neighborhood safety and protecting the quality of life in their communities.

    In Jabro, the teens found a strong and steadfast ally of their underage-drinking-prevention efforts.

    Over the past two years, Bruno’s Market has served as a real-world backdrop for a series of educational campaigns designed to raise awareness of alcohol prevention, while cultivating among residents and business owners a collective responsibility to protect youth from the dangers of underage drinking.

    Jabro’s collaboration with the Latino Youth Council recently caught the attention of San Diego City Councilmember David Alvarez. The District 8 councilman believes Jabro serves as a role model for other retailers who are interested in collaborating with prevention advocates to reduce the use of alcohol and drugs.

    “Small businesses, like Bruno’s Market, are the heartbeat of San Diego’s economy,” Alvarez explained. “They are also the eyes and ears of neighborhoods ranging from San Ysidro to northern San Diego.”

    “Martin Jabro personifies the sense of stewardship that connects each of us – businesses and residents – to a purpose greater than ourselves,” Alvarez continued. “I look forward to presenting Mr. Jabro with a legislative proclamation commending him for his passion for making a positive difference in the Logan Heights community.”

    Central Region Prevention Coalition representatives joined Jabro and his family last Tuesday, October 25th, in city council chambers for Councilman Alvarez’s proclamation presentation. To the surprise of the Jabro family, the councilman marked the occasion by proclaiming October 25, 2011 as “Martin Jabro Day” in San Diego.

    Businesses who would like to support the Latino Youth Council’s underage-drinking prevention campaigns are encouraged to contact Claudia Baltazar at 619-283-9624 x 257.