The San Francisco-based James Irvine Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2008 Leadership Awards, which honor Californians who are developing practical solutions to some of the state's most critical challenges.

The twelve recipients, representing six organizations, were recognized for their efforts to improve the health of minority communities, reduce the impact of climate change, rehabilitate gang members, advocate for foster youth, and give low-income workers better access to mainstream financial services. Each organization will receive $125,000 to further the recipients' work.

The awardees include Gregory Boyle of Los Angeles-based Homeboy Industries; America Bracho of Latino Health Access in Santa Ana; Jos� Cisneros, David Augustine, Ben Mangan, Leigh Phillips, and Lena Robinson of Bank on San Francisco; Janet Knipe, Tonya Hightower, and Tiffany Johnson of San Francisco-based California Youth Connection; Diane Takvorian of the Environmental Health Coalition in San Diego; and Laurie Wayburn of San Francisco-based Pacific Forest Trust.

"At a time when Californians are hungry for new, practical ideas for solving everyday problems, these award recipients represent the gold standard for innovation and leadership," said Irvine Foundation president and CEO Jim Canales. "They are tackling the most daunting issues, from gang violence to climate change, and delivering cutting-edge solutions that other communities and leaders can replicate."

To learn more about this year's awardees, visit the Irvine Foundation Web site.