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SBVC Launches Machinist Training Pilot Program for ?Individuals with Autism   SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Among Americans with disabilities, there is a high rate of unemployment and underemployment — something San Bernardino Valley College and the Uniquely Abled Project are working to change.   This August, Valley College will launch a pilot program providing Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinist training to individuals with autism. This first cohort of eight students will receive on-campus instruction and hands-on work experience using SBVC’s state-of-the-art machinist technology, with San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board later providing job placement.   The program will be made possible thanks to a $10,000 award from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, $15,000 from the San Bernardino  Valley College Foundation, and $10,000 from Goodwill. This $35,000 will cover the cost of a job coach who will assist students enrolled in the program.

“We are committed to equity in education and ensuring all students have access to educational opportunities at SBVC that will improve their quality of life,” SBVC Foundation Interim Director Mike Layne said.   The Uniquely Abled Project’s Uniquely Abled Academy Program offers vocational training and job development for high-functioning adults on the autism spectrum and has successfully placed more than 90 percent of its graduates with jobs. Using funds provided by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Goodwill purchased the Uniquely Abled Academy curriculum for SBVC.   “The Uniquely Abled Project is delighted to partner with SBVC to extend the benefits of a Uniquely Abled Academy to the manufacturers and uniquely abled individuals of the Inland Empire,” Uniquely Abled Project Founder and President Ivan Rosenberg said. “Manufacturers get the skilled CNC operators they need, and individuals with Level 1 autism will have good paying career jobs that will enable them to live productive and fulfilling lives. Our hope is that this will be the first of a number of UAAs in the Inland Empire.”   Machinist Prof. Miguel Ortiz first learned about the Uniquely Abled Project in 2017, and thought it would be a good avenue for SBVC to explore. A CNC machinist operates equipment that produce parts and tools made from plastic, metal, and other materials. There is a shortage of qualified CNC machinists in the manufacturing sector, and when students complete the Uniquely Abled Academy, they can get matched with jobs paying anywhere from $33,000 to $54,000 annually.   “For the individual and the industry, it’s a win-win,” Ortiz said. “Being a CNC operator is the most prevalent job and easiest way to get into the industry.”   The California Department of Rehabilitation will provide participant referrals to SBVC, and before starting the Uniquely Abled Academy Program, students will go through a screening process to ensure this is the right fit for them. Layne said the hope is to have a second, larger cohort start in 2022, and because of the key partnerships with the Department of Rehabilitation, Goodwill, and San Bernardino County Workforce Development, SBVC should be able to “successfully launch, grow, and sustain the project in future years.”   Jonathan Weldy, chairman of the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board’s Special Populations Committee, said the organization “applauds Valley College, the Uniquely Abled Project, and all of the supporters of this model program that will create great career opportunities for a segment of the population that is often left out. At Workforce Development, we look forward to working with program graduates and our business community in providing job placement services.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Saturday, June 26, 2021, Café Organix celebrated it’s one year anniversary. The vegan café is co-owned by NBA legend and retiree, John Salley. Their products are primarily made in-house with organic ingredients. “Expect a well-seasoned and tasty vegan cuisine. We will play with the menu to figure out the favorites and the foods we are good at making,” John Salley explained.

In addition to offering drinks and eats, Cafe Organix also stocks frozen packaged goods, tea blends, candles, and other products! There is an art gallery inside the cafe that features new local artist each month. The café also hosts regular events for the community.

Café Organix is located at  420 E Hospitality Ln Suite A10, San Bernardino, CA 92408

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SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Founded in San Bernardino, California in 2002, and expanded into the Bay Area in 2018, Time for Change Foundation’s (TFCF) mission is to empower disenfranchised low-income individuals and families by building leadership through evidence-based programs, and housing to create self-sufficient, and thriving communities.

Academy Award winner Taraji P. Henson will direct Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson in ‘Pepcy & Kim,’ a part of Iervolino Entertainment’s star-studded anthology project ‘Tell It Like a Woman’.

This project is seen by the non-profit as a means to expand on their mission. “If Kim could do it, so can other women,” says Time for Change Foundation Executive Director Vanessa Perez, “Kim Carter’s life story will inspire women as it speaks to our mantra, ‘we call it home, others call it hope.'”

As told by Variety Magazine, Hudson, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Effie White in 2006’s ‘Dreamgirls,’ will take on the role of both Pepcy and Kim in the piece, which is inspired by Kim Carter, a former addict who rebuilt her life, founded Time for Change Foundation, and has helped over 1,700 homeless women achieve self-sufficiency, while reuniting over 300 children with their mothers.

Andrea Iervolino, who founded the production company, said: ?”This trio is a marvelous compliment to the spirited filmmakers and talent banding together for this one-of-a-kind film, and their sincerity in delivering a ‘must see’ segment is simply moving. “We can’t wait to show this film to the world.”

Catherine Hardwicke, best known for her directorial efforts ‘Thirteen,’ and ‘Twilight’ has penned the segment—one of seven made by and about women that will make up one film, featuring the likes of Eva Longoria, Cara Delevingne, Margherita Buy, and Marcia Gay Harden.

‘Tell it Like a Woman’ producer Chiara Tilesi—founder of non-profit film production company We Do It Together—added: “‘Tell It Like A Woman’ has been a very long journey, almost six years producing this film, and we couldn’t have asked for a better ending segment in ‘Pepcy & Kim’….”

“I’m still amazed how God could take my pain and use it for my purpose to help so many others,” says TFCF Founder Kim Carter, “It’s a blessing!”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Each Sunday morning Wallace Allen and Guest host Tammy Martin Riles discuss hot topics on KCAA 1050 AM Radio during the “Empire Talks Back” (ETB) broadcast. This coming Sunday they will celebrate the 4th of July with hot pizza slices!

“We will give free pizza slices from 10 AM to 11:30 AM to the first fifty listeners who stop by the KCAA Radio Station! Says Allen, the host of the 30-year-old ETB radio show.  We are featuring slices from Chef Raheem’s “Pies On The Flyy” Food Truck!  He and his family can quickly produce a variety of both Vegan and non-vegan pizzas in their portable clay oven. “  

The KCAA radio station is at 1378 Industrial Park Ave. in the Burlington Mall east of Alabama street, one block south of the 10 freeway. You are encouraged to “Begin the 4th of July with a slice of pizza pie!

By Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach

NEWPORT, R.I. – Lt. Ruben Gutierrez, a native of San Bernardino, California, joined the Navy as a way to gain valuable life experiences around the world and continue the family tradition of military service.  

“I come from a family of veterans,” said Gutierrez. “A Navy recruiter had come to my school and asked if I’d thought about joining the Navy. He told me they had a really cool rate that were like military police officers who could drive small, fast boats and shoot guns.”

Now, 18 years later, Gutierrez serves as the security officer for Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport, located in Newport, Rhode Island.

“I’m in charge of force protection and protecting the installation,” Gutierrez said. “I make sure we are properly manned, trained and equipped to defend the installation.”

Growing up in San Bernardino, Gutierrez attended San Gorgonio High School and graduated in 2003. Today, he uses the same skills and values learned in San Bernardino to succeed in the military.

“Growing up, I learned to appreciate loyalty and resiliency and that’s what got me through my younger years,” Gutierrez said.

Those lessons have helped Gutierrez while serving at NAVSTA Newport.

Home to 50 Navy, Marine Corps Coast Guard and U.S. Army Reserve commands and activities, NAVSTA Newport’s mission is to fulfill the diverse requirements of its tenant commands by providing the facilities and infrastructure that are essential to their optimum performance. 

Thousands of students pass through NAVSTA Newport’s on-base schools from all parts of the United States and many free nations around the world. These schools include the Navy Supply Corps School, the Center for Service Support, the U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Logistics School and the prestigious Naval War College. For this reason, the base is the Navy’s premier site for training officers, officer candidates, senior enlisted personnel and midshipman candidates, as well as testing and evaluating advanced undersea warfare and development systems. 

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities and capacity.

“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”

Serving as a sailor and contributing to the Navy the Nation needs requires a combination of dedication and sacrifice, but Gutierrez believes the accomplishments achieved along the way make the hard work worth it.

“It makes me proud every time I’m able to re-enlist one of our outstanding sailors,” said Gutierrez. “It’s a highlight of my career every time.”

As Gutierrez and his fellow sailors continue to train and carry out their assigned duties, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“It’s an opportunity to do my part to make a better future for both my family and my country,” added Gutierrez. 

CRAFTON HILLS, CA—- Recent Crafton Hills College (CHC) grad Alexander Manjarrez has been awarded a $5,000 scholarship from Southern California Gas Company. 

Manjarrez is one of the 2021 scholarship recipients of Southern California Gas Company, which selects high achieving graduating high school seniors and transferring community college students with scholarships from $1,000 to $5,000. To qualify, students must live within the SoCalGas service area, maintain a GPA of at least a 3.0 and demonstrate strong community involvement, among other criteria.

“SoCalGas believes that a well-educated workforce makes good business sense and is essential for a vital and economically healthy Southern California,” said Regional Affairs Manager Robert Visconti, who also serves on the College’s Foundation Board of Directors.

In his scholarship application, Manjarrez outlined his future educational and career plans and the need for the scholarship to continue his education. He said the pandemic had significantly impacted his family, slashing their collective income by 25 percent. Manjarrez put his studies first, although doing so interfered with his ability to continue helping his father manage Rainbow Board and Care, an assisted living facility that was also impacted by COVID-19.

“I stopped working with him so I could focus more on my studies,” Manjarrez said. “It will be tough for me to go back and help him run his business since I will be focusing on my upper division course work at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) in Fall 2021.”

Manjarrez is goal-oriented when it comes to mapping out a plan for his studies. His long-term goal is to earn a Master’s degree in computer science at UCR and work as a software developer while continuing to do research on tech-related topics. He also wants to work in a field where he can construct large software systems, something that drew him to his major.

“Research is something that has resonated with me ever since I enrolled at CHC,” Manjarrez said. “I conducted research on image blurs for DEKA, company that specializes in complex problem-solving, and I learned how to run algorithms on MATLAB and met the company’s expectations.”

“Research has taught me that being an effective researcher means being passionate, knowledgeable and prepared,” he said.

Southern California Gas Company is focused on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Energy Education to improve and support educational opportunities and workforce development in their communities. 

To learn more about the company’s work, visit www.socalgas.com/our-community/promoting-education-workforce-development.

To learn more about how Crafton Hills College can help you reach your goals, visit craftonhills.edu.

INLAND EMPIRE, CA—- – Every year, millions of Americans from all racial and ethnic backgrounds struggle with mental health illnesses. While African Americans experience mental health illnesses at about the same rate as White Americans, they are far less likely to receive mental health care services and disproportionately endure a higher burden of disability from mental health disorders according to the American Psychiatric Association.  In fact, only one in three African Americans who need mental health services receive it.

Phyllis Clark, Executive Director and Founder of the Healthy Heritage Movement, is working to address the mental health disparities within the African American community in the Inland Empire. The organization has partnered with five predominately black churches in honor of African American Mental Health Awareness Month in June to launch Mental Health Resource Stations at each church to provide easier access to mental health information and services.

The installation of the Resource Stations will be completed by the end of June and participating churches include Castle Rock Christian Fellowship, Living Way Christian Fellowship, Cathedral of Praise International Ministries, Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, and Rubidoux Missionary Baptist Church. Phyllis commends and honors the five churches for leading the way to reduce the stigma in the African American community and welcomes other churches to join the effort.

There are many reasons why African Americans face barriers when it comes to accessing and receiving treatment including poor physician-patient communication resulting in misdiagnosis, discrimination resulting in services not being offered and/or inadequate information provided, mistrust for the healthcare system, a lack of diverse providers, a lack of inclusion in mental health research, underinsurance, and cultural stigmas.

Healthy Heritage Movement is committed to launching several initiatives over the next few months to reduce the barriers preventing African Americans from accessing mental health services, and to help the community heal from what has been a most traumatic year. Key initiatives include a Summer Series of Healing, these events will feature black psychologists and wellness coaches discussing mental wellness, healing and self-care.  The second initiative is to produce a detailed African American Mental Health Resource Guide which will be available in the fall.

Another key initiative underway is the organization’s most recognized program, Broken Crayons Still Color Project, which has served 240 African American women in the I.E., since its inception in 2018. The 8-week program written by Dr. Gloria Morrow and currently taught by Dr. Candance Elaine, a Certified Clinical Therapist and Personal Transformation Coach, teaches women effective strategies to cope with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorder. In addition, participants learn about prevention, early detection, and intervention.  The program is being hosted virtually due to COVID-19 and is currently being offered now through July 10, 2021. Visit www.BrokenCrayonsProject.com to sign-up for future classes!

Healthy Heritage Movement is sponsored by the California Reducing Disparities Project, Inland SoCal United Way, Nurturing You Women’s Health & Wellness, J.W. Vines Medical Foundation, and the City of Riverside. 

If you need mental health referrals or for more information about Healthy Heritage Movement, please contact (951)293-4240 or (951)682-1717 or visit them on the web www.healthyheritage.org. 

BALTIC SEA—- Logistics Specialist 1st Class Joseph White, from San Bernardino, Calif., takes inventory in supply support aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) during BALTOPS 50, June 15, 2021. The 50th BALTOPS represents a continuous, steady commitment to reinforcing interoperability in the Alliance and providing collective maritime security in the Baltic Sea.

RIALTO, CA—- San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., joined Never Stop Grinding Impact, Healing California, the Rialto Police Department, the San Bernardino County Department of Human Services, and the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health on June 12th at the Rialto Community Center to bring free dental services to the community. The free services that were provided included x-rays, assessments, dental fillings, dental cleanings, and extractions. 53 patients were serviced during the event totaling $28,000 worth of dental services.

“I am so proud of the work that went into coordinating this event. Some of those who received services during the event had not been to a dentist in years. Some were experiencing excruciating pain or discomfort and were simply dealing with it because of lack of insurance. It is clearly evident that the community is in need of these services. This event could not have been possible without the amazing organizations and the County Departments who worked together to make it a great success,” Supervisor Baca, Jr. states.