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SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Rep. Pete Aguilar made the second stop on his Inland Empire Community Project Funding tour at Mary’s Mercy Center, Inc., a San Bernardino-based nonprofit dedicated to helping end the cycle of homelessness in San Bernardino County. The Community Project Funding tour was launched after Aguilar secured funding for seven community-submitted projects in the House-passed fiscal year 2022 government funding package, including for the Mary’s Mercy Center Realizing Educational and Career Hopes (REACH) Project. The REACH Project provides skills training and education resources for homeless Inland Empire residents and connects them with resources to find jobs.

“Affordable housing and homelessness are two of the biggest issues facing the Inland Empire, and we need an all-hands-on-deck approach. By investing in local nonprofits like Mary’s Mercy Center, we can empower members of our community to find housing, access to job training and other key resources to help them succeed,” said Aguilar.

“With many of the homeless we serve, we find that medical and socio-emotional support is only part of the equation. The other challenge is finding affordable housing. The REACH program is designed to help our residents enroll in educational and vocational classes to prepare them for a career. We want each resident to have a career path that allows them to earn a good living so they can afford quality housing in the community of their choice,” said Dan Flores, Executive Director of Mary’s Mercy Center, Inc.

Rep. Aguilar serves on the House Appropriations Committee, and successfully passed seven Community Project Funding Requests through the House with others still pending. This tour helps underscore the importance of this funding as Congress works to finalize federal funding for fiscal year 2022.

RIALTO, CA—- While most of her middle school contemporaries are headed to high school, Allanah Mouton, is now attending Cal State L.A. to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. Accepted through the University’s Early Entrance Program (EEP), Allanah Mouton was admitted to Cal State L.A. at the age of 12. She is now on track to graduate summa cum laude in less than 4 years.

Cal State L.A.’s EEP admits extraordinarily gifted youngsters—some as young as 11—directly into college, providing the early entrants with monitored evaluation, regular counseling sessions, and the opportunity to study with like-minded peers. For Allanah the process for applying to EEP CSULA included a year-long competitive interview which began with portfolio submissions, essay responses, individual and family interviews, several mandatory orientations and information sessions, and ended with a five-week summer session in which Allanah completed three college level workshops across various disciplines (calculus, social science, and natural science). While the program began on a zoom call with over 100 applicants only 21 applicants, including Allanah were granted admission to EEP through the Honor College.

Allanah said, “I’m excited about the opportunity, and of course, I have concerns about making the transition from middle school directly to a university, but the support from my family, especially, my mom has made me confident in my decision.”

Allanah has always been exceptional, she tested out of 4th grade, placing well into high school but at the time, her mother decided to only allow her to skip one grade level. She had concerns about opportunities for social and emotional growth. Having earned a 4.0 grade point average throughout elementary and middle school, and after her grandmother saw a news story on CBS about CSULA’s early entrance program. Allanah developed an interest in pursuing early college enrollment

As a part of the EEP program select students are waived the high school A-G requirements which allows them to enroll in the University under a special exemption. The program chooses students whom they feel have the skills necessary to be successful in the program. Allanah’s reading, writing, mathematical skills, and capacity for logical thinking were heavily criticized and tested as a part of the 5-week workshops she completed during the interview process.

Allanah Mouton is a resident of Rialto. She loves to draw, plays several instruments including the drums and saxophone. She enjoys practicing her skateboard and baking in her spare time. She also volunteers at the family’s nonprofit organization which provides residential care facilities to mentally ill adults. She has dreams of working with NASA and contributing solutions to the global climate change crisis. For now, plans after college graduation include applying to graduate school with Stanford as her number one choice and getting her driver’s license!

First Stop at San Bernardino International Airport

San Bernardino, CA— On Wednesday, September 1^st, Rep. Aguilar will kick off a tour to highlight federal funding needs for key community projects in the Inland Empire. The tour stops will feature projects for which Rep. Aguilar secured financial support in the House-passed fiscal year 2022 government funding bills. Aguilar is launching the tour to highlight the urgent need for the Senate to approve the funding to create good-paying jobs, expand access to affordable health care and housing, and support Inland Empire children and veterans. The tour’s first stop will be the San Bernardino International Airport. The House funding bills included $1,000,000 for the airport’s Runway Improvement Project.

“I’m working to secure funding for these projects because the Inland Empire deserves real federal investments. These types of investments create good-paying jobs, revitalize our infrastructure and help ensure families from our region have a chance to succeed. The San Bernardino International Airport is a potential engine for major economic growth in our region, and I’m proud to have advocated for funding that can help realize that potential,” said Aguilar.

Of the ten projects submitted by Aguilar, seven were included for funding when the House passed H.R. 4502 on July 29, 2021. Funding for these projects will become available when the bill is signed into law. The bill is currently pending action in the Senate.

Reporters interested in attending this or any other stop on the Community Projects tour should contact parker.dorrough@mail.house.gov.

From the Office of Councilman Damon L. Alexander, Ward 7, it gives us great pleasure to announce the collaboration with California State DMV to provide State identification cards and other DMV services to our unhoused population.

San Bernardino City DMV has set aside specific dates and times for local city organizations to take their unhoused population to the local office to be served. The DMV will provide California State identification along with all other services they deliver during these allotted times.

“While working in the field with Mental Health Systems they mentioned to me how vital identification is to the unhoused to begin the path back into mainstream society. I was told that they had to travel miles to another city for specific appointed dates and times for services for their clients. They wished the DMV located in the city would do the same. Today, we got it done. DMV will provide all services needed to our unhoused population right here in the City of San Bernardino during specific dates and times. I want to thank the DMV for making such a fantastic and much needed service materialize without a glitch. I also want to thank the local organizations that are working so hard to help the City’s unhoused population.”

If you are a local City organization that works with the unhoused population, please contact Renea Wickman at 909.708.4585 for more information how to get your organization involved.

Councilman Damon L. Alexander was recently elected to the 7th Ward in the November 2021 election. Councilman Alexander is married with a blended family of 5 children and 4 grandchildren. He has lived in the City of San Bernardino for over 30 years where he raised his children. The Councilman is a retired Marine and worked 29 years as a Federal Law Enforcement Agent.

There is a vacant seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Education for Trustee Area D, which includes Snowline Joint Unified School District in Phelan. The person appointed will serve out the remainder of Hardy Brown II’s term, which expires Dec. 9, 2022.

Applications must be received by U.S. mail or hand delivered by noon Tuesday, Sept. 7, to: San Bernardino County Board of Education Attention: William F. Roberts IV, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources Branch 760 East Brier Drive San Bernardino, CA 92408.

The next scheduled election for the full-term seat for Trustee Area D is Nov. 8, 2022.

For more information, please call Crystal Lopez at 909-386-2424.

Download the application.

RIALTO, CA—- Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson is one of 34 leaders from across the country appointed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC).

Robertson’s appointment was announced Wednesday by EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. The 39-member LGAC represents a diverse cross-section of cities, counties, towns, and communities across the United States, and advises the EPA Administrator on a variety of issues impacting cities.

“It’s a privilege to be part of this distinguished committee as we work on climate security, sustainable economic development, infrastructure needs and eliminating barriers to economic opportunity for all,” Robertson said. “Rialto has been at the forefront of many of these issues, and I look forward to sharing our experiences with my fellow mayors and local leaders, while continuing to look at innovative solutions, which helps to advance equity and economic solutions, especially for communities identified as disadvantaged.”

Said Regan: “I’m honored to welcome this diverse, highly qualified group of local leaders who will bring valuable insight and experience to the Agency. EPA is counting on their input and collaboration to help achieve our mission to protect public health and the environment in every zip code. From tackling climate change to advancing environmental justice, we need local partners at the table to address our most pressing environmental challenges.”

With a population of more than 103,000, Rialto is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Inland Empire, with a strong business climate and a strong reputation for innovation and sustainable development.

A notable example is the work in and around Rialto’s wastewater treatment plant, including the development of a microgrid that uses solar, biogas and battery story to bring greater energy independence to the City, and the recent awarding of a $1.05 million grant to create a recreation and education area using recycled water from the plant. The microgrid project has been hailed as a giant step forward in the way municipalities can take positive steps toward a greener future.

For more information about the LGAC, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ocir/local-government-advisory-committee-lgac.

Victor Valley Station is looking for youth ages 14-21 to join their Sheriff’s Explorers. Interested applications must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, a clean record, and the ability to volunteer at least 8 hours per month.

Duties include ride-alongs with deputy sheriffs, attending community service events, providing administrative support, and participating in yearly explorer competitions and the summer Explorer Academy. The Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station is located in the city of Adelanto.

For more information, contact Staci Parks at 760-552-6845 or email sparks@sbcsd.org

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Would you like to learn more about local government as a career? Our First District Office is seeking college students to join our Fall 2021 internship program.  Students will work flexible hours (roughly 10 hours a week) at the San Bernardino County Government Center, where they will tackle important issues including homelessness, behavioral health, law enforcement, education, public health and more. 

Interns will work one-on-one with First District constituents and assist with handling constituent casework. They will also have the opportunity to get hands-on training in government social media management, graphic design, photography/videography, website administration and newsletter writing. Deadline to apply is October 1, 2021. For more information, please contact Julia Robles at Julia.Robles@bos.sbcounty.gov

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino City Unified School District’s (SBCUSD’s) executive cabinet has undergone several changes over the past few months, all designed to better serve students and families.

The Board of Education held a reception in honor of the two newest additions to the cabinet and the promotion of Dr. Rachel Monárrez. The reception began at 4:30 p.m. at the Dr. Margaret Hill Community Room in the Board of Education building, prior to the August 17 Board meeting.

The newest addition to the cabinet is Dr. Ricardo Esquivel. As the assistant superintendent of Equity, Access, and Innovation, Esquivel will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of new Superintendent Doc Ervin‘s vision of providing equity, access, and innovation for all students.

Esquivel, who holds both a master’s and doctorate degree in Urban Education and Leadership, has several years of experience as an educational leader. Most recently, he served as superintendent of the Elk Hills Elementary School District. Prior to that, he was the executive director of the Wonderful College Prep Academy in Kern County. Esquivel also has more than four years experience serving as a school administrator.

Esquivel is filling the assistant superintendent position left open when Dr. Rachel Monárrez was promoted to deputy superintendent.

Monárrez joined SBCUSD in August 2016 as the assistant superintendent of Student Services, and was later named the assistant superintendent of Continuous Improvement. That position has been renamed to assistant superintendent of Equity, Access, and Innovation.

Monárrez has spent her 27 years in education focusing on the success of students. She spent almost two decades as a classroom teacher and instructional leader. In 2004, she earned recognition as a National Board Certified Teacher, something that only a small percentage of teachers earn and only after proving their effectiveness in the classroom through a rigorous, lengthy process.

In 2020, the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators named Monárrez as the Central Office Administrator of the Year for her distinguished leadership and excellence in advocating on behalf of Latino/Latina/Latinx children.

Monárrez earned her M.A. in Education in 1995 and her Ph.D. in Urban Education in 2010.

Harold Sullins joined SBCUSD as the associate superintendent of Business, Facilities, and Operations on July 8, 2021.

Sullins served as the assistant superintendent of Administrative Services for Rosemead School District prior to joining SBCUSD.  He has also served as the assistant superintendent of Business Services for Upland Unified School District and the executive director of Business Services for San Jacinto Unified School District.

Sullins earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and has certifications in school management negotiations and as a chief business official.

The executive cabinet are the top-level division and department heads directly reporting to the superintendent. They meet regularly to advise the superintendent, and they help run the District’s daily operations.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Friday, August 20^th Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes honored two of the 2021 Minerva Scholarship recipients. The program awards up to eighty-seven California residents a $2,500 scholarship.

The Minerva Scholarship program was established by Women in California Leadership to support the advancement and empowerment of women. This foundation awarded two scholarships to students from the 47^th Assembly District.

The 2021 scholarships were awarded to Veronica Banuelos, San Bernardino and Destiny Lopez, Rialto. Both have shown a commitment to their communities and higher education.

“It is an honor to present these two scholarships to women in our community who have gone above and beyond to serve their community and strive for more knowledge,” said Assembly Majority Leader Reyes. “Congratulations to Veronica and Destiny and good luck on your studies.”

Veronica is a first year student at Pomona College, graduating Arroyo Valley High School in 2020 during the pandemic. During high school, she served as academic decathlon president, varsity tennis captain, Pomona College Academy of Youth Success Student Advisory Board, and teaching assistant.

Additionally, she was an organizer for Bloodstream Blood Drive and Adopt-A-Family for her local community. Veronica was also part of the third Assembly District 47 Young Legislators, where she actively participated in each of our meetings, and went beyond the expectations of the program by volunteering at several of our District events.

Her commitment to her scholastic and athletic excellence and to her community’s success is what shaped her into the leader she is today, and the leader she will be in the future.

“I would like to thank the Minerva Scholarship program for making this scholarship possible and available for students like myself. I can humbly say, from the bottom of my heart, that I am honored, and grateful to use this to continue my education. Thank you to Assembly Majority Leader Reyes, Maha Rizvi, and the rest of the team for introducing me to such wonderful opportunities,” said Veronica Banuelos.

A recent graduate of Eisenhower High School, Destiny is planning to attend California State University, San Marcos. While attending school, she was an active student in her school district, where she had the opportunity to serve as the student voice on Rialto Unified School District’s Strategic Planning Committee.

Her involvement continued to high school where she served as ASB President, ASB Vice president, District Strategic Planning Committee-Student Member, Key Club President, Varsity Cheer Captain, and Equity and Access Team Member.

Surrounded by the uncertainty of the pandemic and the devastation of losing a year on campus, she applied and was selected as Student Board Member for RUSD, where she advocated for social emotional programs for students affected by the pandemic.

“It was an honor to be able to take part in this experience that so few women are able to I couldn’t begin to express how grateful I am. I promise to make you proud,” said Destiny Lopez.

For more information on the complete scholarship requirements and details, go to the Foundation’s website at https://wicl.us/scholarship-program/

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Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Assembly District 47 which includes the cities of Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated areas of Muscoy and Bloomington.