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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Last week, Youth Action Project (YAP), a San Bernardino based non-profit organization, announced funding from the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)’s 2018 Mentoring Opportunity for Youth Initiatives grant program or $500,000.

In making the announcement YAP founder Joseph Williams was accompanied by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D- San Bernardino), Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson and San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis. The grant will allow YAP, Young Visionaries’ Executive Director Terrance Stone, Sigma Beta Xi’s Director Corey Jackson, and the Youth Action Mentoring Network – to detect and assist Inland Empire students who show risk factors for opioid abuse.

“Our region has not been immune to the nationwide opioid crisis, and too often when a young person in our community struggles with addiction, they have no clear place to turn. I’m grateful for the work of Youth Action Project to provide Inland Empire youth with the resources they need to lead happy and successful lives free from the weight of opioid addiction,” said Rep. Aguilar.

The OJJDP e3p3 Modeled Grant will include the City of Rialto, and middle and high schools in Rialto.

Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson said, “Rialto continues to be a pioneer in moving initiatives forward that will empower our residents.  The e3p3 Model, created by M.H.M. & Associates (a professional grant firm) serves in creating strategically aligned public, private partnerships.  This win affords the City of Rialto, students and their families in being one of the first that will benefit from the program efforts to dress the Opioid Crisis.”

The project was one of 12 projects funded nationwide to provide mentoring to youth at-risk of Opioid abuse.

YAP, Young Visionaries and Sigma Beta Xi have all been funded under prior initiatives using the e3p3 Model, designed to accelerate grant resources into cities/regions, and were excited to see it work once again to further assist youth in the region.

Earlier this year, Rep. Aguilar’s office held a Federal Grants Workshop to highlight best practices and share strategies for success when applying for federal grants which was attended by a representative from YAP.

“Our youth are in crisis, they are being influenced by many fronts to experiment with drugs and we will do all we can to help them combat bad information. Now more than ever drug use is promoted in music, movies and social media. We have to continue helping and mentoring our youth in making informed decisions. The resources awarded by OJJDP will support our efforts to make sure the real winners are our youth,” said Joseph Williams President San Bernardino Community College Board District Board and YAP CEO.”

Today’s announcement comes just over one year since Rep Aguilar announced an additional $500,000 to combat the broader opioid crisis within the Inland Empire.

For questions regarding this announcement, the project or the e3p3 Model contact Joseph Williams at 909-75-1068 or call Luvina Beckley from Grant writing firm M.H.M & Associates at 951-692-4646 or go online http://mhmandassociates.com

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Museum announces the speakers confirmed for the 2019 Dome Talks series. The lineup of national authors and thought leaders address timely, serious, quirky, and critical issues. These evening discussions are scheduled monthly from January through June. Full Series Passes, which include a ticket for each evening, are now on sale. Individual tickets go on sale beginning December 14.

Museum Director Melissa Russo remarked “Dome Talks has been a tremendous success bringing notable speakers to the San Bernardino County Museum. This upcoming third season of fascinating individuals promises discussions that will be stimulating, entertaining, and hopefully deeply thought provoking.”

Dome Talks commences on the evening of Jan. 17, with Kirk W. Johnson, author of The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century, his investigation into the true crime story of the theft of 299 rare bird skins from a British natural history museum. Johnson brilliantly traces a narrative from the 19th century to present day about exotic bird exploration, ornithological research, the obscure and quirky world of Victorian fly-tying, and rare bird trafficking.

On Feb. 28, Richard Rothstein, discusses his book The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of how Our Government Segregated America. Rothstein, a former New York Times columnist, is a research associate at the Economic Policy Institute and a Fellow at the Thurgood Marshall Institute of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Haas Institute at the University of California–Berkeley. The Color of Law expands upon and provides a national perspective on his recent work that documents the history of state-sponsored residential segregation, as in his report, “The Making of Ferguson.”

On Mar. 28, Heather David, cultural historian and advocate for the preservation of mid-century modern architecture, art, and signage, speaks about her book Motel California. The story of the rapid rise and subsequent decline of the individually owned mom-and-pop motel in The Golden State, Motel California is a celebration of sparkling blue pools, flashing neon signs, automatic ice machines and bleached white towels. It is an exploration of theme-based marketing and a documentation of American culture at perhaps what was the most prosperous time in United States history.

On Apr. 25, Francis French, co-author of  Falling to Earth: An Apollo 15 Astronaut’s Journey to the Moon, discusses his career co-writing four bestselling space history books and  interviews with astronauts Wally Schirra, Gordon Cooper, Scott Carpenter, Pavel Popovich, and Al Worden. Currently the Director of Education at the San Diego Air & Space Museum,  French is a regular presence on PBS, The Discovery Channel, History Channel and Science Channel.

Rue Mapp speaks on May 30 about the organization she founded, Outdoor Afro, a nonprofit social community reconnecting African Americans with natural spaces through outdoor recreational activities. The evening is co-sponsored by the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio and San Bernardino County Regional Parks. Through Outdoor Afro, Mapp shares opportunities to build a broader community and leadership in nature. Her important work has generated widespread national recognition including The Root 100 most influential African Americans in the country, the Outdoor Industry Inspiration Award, the National Wildlife Federation Communication award, and Family Circle Magazine selected Rue as one of America’s 20 Most Influential Moms.

June 20 is the final speaker in the series, Danna Staaf, author of Squid Empire: The Rise and Fall of the Cephalopods, an epic adventure spanning hundreds of millions of years, from the marine life of the primordial ocean to the calamari on tonight’s menu. The Inquisitive Biologist’s review noted “This, ladies and gentlemen, is how you write a good popular academic book.” Anyone who enjoys the undersea world—along with those obsessed with all things prehistoric—will be interested in the sometimes enormous, often bizarre creatures that ruled the seas long before the first dinosaurs.

All Dome Talks evenings open at 6:30 p.m. for a light reception sponsored by the San Bernardino County Museum Association. Presentations start at 7 p.m. and include book sale and signing where applicable. Books are available for sale in the Museum store starting in November.

Full Series Passes are on sale for $130 ($105 museum members) and include all six evenings. Tickets for individual evenings will go on sale December 14 for $25 each evening ($18 museum members, no discount applies for May 30) and are subject to availability as the Dome Talks theater has limited seating. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sbcounty.gov/museum or may be purchased at the Museum’s Guest Services Desk. Advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged as walkups are not guaranteed. No refunds can be made for ticket purchases, but unused tickets may be donated to the nonprofit San Bernardino County Museum Association in advance of the date.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs, including Dome Talks reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- Higher Heights, the leading, independent and trusted voice for Black women leading up to, and beyond Election Day, has rolled out its #BlackWomenVote campaign for the 2018 cycle. The nationwide effort is aimed at ensuring that Black women raise their voices and mobilize their networks to get out the vote on Tuesday, November 6.

During the next week, leading into Election Day 2018, #BlackWomenVote will help prepare Black women to get ready to go to the polls, by encouraging them to activate their networks, by using the make a vote plan tool that can be found on BlackWomenVote.com, and by hosting a series of online activities to further energize Black women and emphasize the importance to get out the vote in November, as well as staying active beyond Election Day.

The #BlackWomenVote campaign is fueled by BlackWomenVote.com, which was launched during the 2014 cycle and provides the latest election news, commentary and tools for Black women to prepare to vote, and get out the vote within their social networks. Over the week the campaign will reach Black women across the country, encouraging them to activate their circles and give them the tools to raise their voice, cast their vote, and flex their collective voting power.

Earlier this year Higher Heights launched its Truth Tellers campaign lifting up Black women’s unique voices, votes and power centered around “Ain’t I a Woman?”, a question from Sojourner Truth that continues to resonate with Black women today—167 years later. This election season Higher Heights wants Black women to tell their truth and ensure Black women’s voices are heard in the political process.

“There is much at stake this election cycle. Black women are a major voting bloc that we want to ensure is armed with the tools and necessary information to vote,” said Glynda C. Carr, co-founder of Higher Heights.

“BlackWomenVote.com provides Black women with those tools, and also provides a common space where they can read about other Black women’s experiences.”

BlackWomenVote.com includes an Election Center, where women can commit to vote and make a voting plan. The website will provide Black women with the tools to activate their networks and create a space where they can share their stories on the latest news from Black women across the country about this election and current topics focused on issues affecting Black women.

“We have all seen the news coverage about how Black women showed up and showed out to the polls in 2016, 2017, and 2018 is not expected to be any different,” said Kimberly Peeler-Allen, co- founder of Higher Heights.

“We have launched this campaign and website to provide meaningful ways for Black women to organize their networks this election and demonstrate our collective power for change in our communities and nationwide. Higher Heights wants to ensure that Black women have seats at political and economic decision-making tables.”

Please visit BlackWomenVote.com here.

About Higher Heights

Higher Heights is the leading national organization exclusively dedicated to advancing Black women’s political power by ensuring they have the tools to engage, advocate and lead in their personal and professional communities. Higher Heights is building political power and leadership of Black women all the way from the ballot box to elected office.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— November is epilepsy awareness month. Join Epilepsy Education Everywhere for a month of education, support and a whole lot of fun!

They will kick off the month with the 6th Annual Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland on November 5^th to November 7th. Tickets are available until Saturday, November 3 at 9 p.m./PST.

If you would like to join us for events, or learn more about epilepsy, visit epilepsyed.org.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— OAKLAND, CA—- As 39,000 University of California workers wrap up a 3-day strike over issues of inequality at the state’s 3rd largest employer, a bombshell of a research brief reported by CALmatters has revealed that Black and Latino workers employed at UC are more likely to be fired and get smaller raises when they are promoted.

Read the report: “Limitations on Career Advancement for Black and Latino/Latina Workers at the University of California,” click here to download.

The new report supplements Pioneering Inequality, a study released last April that revealed growing income, racial, and gender disparities at UC. The new research brief tracks promotions and separations for 25,000 UC service and patient care workers between 2013 and 2017 to highlight growing patterns of inequality within the University’s frontline workforce.

The new report supplements Pioneering Inequality, a study released last April that revealed growing income, racial, and gender disparities at UC. The new research brief tracks promotions and separations for 25,000 UC service and patient care workers between 2013 and 2017 to highlight growing patterns of inequality within the University’s frontline workforce.

“The data reveals that Black and Brown service and patient care workers are far more likely than white workers to be fired or otherwise forced out of their jobs,” said Owen Li, co-author of the reports. “When Black and Latino workers change jobs or get promoted, they receive far smaller pay increases on average than their white counterparts. Whether due to an implicit bias in UC’s employment practices or a real lack of structural career advancement opportunities, women and people of color who are employed in these job titles are clearly being short-changed.”

While more than 5,000 Service and Patient Care Technical workers left their University job during the period under review, the study found that white men were the most likely to leave voluntarily and that Black workers were involuntarily forced out at nearly twice the rate of white men.

Among the more than 3,000 Service and Patient Care Technical workers who changed job titles within the AFSCME-represented workforce during the study period, white workers received raises amounting to as much as $3,000 more per year—on average—than Black women.

“The absence of more equitable career development ladders for people of color likely contributes to the growing income gap at UC that was revealed in Pioneering Inequality,” Li added.

“In 12 years, I’ve taken several certification courses, put in countless volunteer hours for training and experience, trained co-workers for positions I applied for but did not get hired into, and applied for over 130 UC jobs to advance my career. I haven’t even received a call-back for any of those applications in those 12 years,” said Mshindi Cherry, a Black member of UC’s Patient Care Technical Unit at UC Davis Medical Center. “It seems UC would rather hand higher paying jobs to people who don’t look like me.”

Cherry—whose last call-back from UC was for the job he currently holds—has been told that he is not qualified for jobs that he already informally performs as an Operating Room Assistant.

The University is disproportionately firing Black workers and people of color in the same job titles that UC is outsourcing jobs to contract companies that pay workers lower wages and fewer benefits. Fully 71% of Black workers who lost their jobs during the study period were employed in food service or custodial positions, yet UC spent over $54 million per year outsourcing this work through 99 different contracts between 2013 and 2017.

The study notes that this trend is not limited to service work. At UCSF Medical Center, the single most outsourced job title is Patient Support Assistant (PSA). PSAs are 96% non-white at UCSF.

“The University of California has stopped investing in career ladders for its most vulnerable workers, and is instead outsourcing jobs,” added AFSCME Local 3299 President Kathryn Lybarger. “If UC is sincere about serving as an engine of economic mobility, it will actually work with us to address these problems, instead of pretending they don’t exist.”

In May, Service workers staged a 3-day walkout in protest of these issues and 53,000 UC workers joined them in solidarity. Today, nearly 6 months later, Patient Care Workers have decided to follow in their footsteps. Their 3-day strike officially ends at 4:00am on Friday morning.

The SBCUSD Board of Education presented Outstanding Student Awards to 12 elementary students, including students from Anton Elementary School.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-VICTORVILLE, CA—- The San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education honored 12 students with Outstanding Student Awards at the October 16, 2018, Board meeting. The San Bernardino Symphony also recognized students by providing them and their families with free symphony tickets.

Outstanding Student Award winners are recognized for achievement in academics, athletics, fine arts, citizenship, or for showing significant improvement in these areas. Students are awarded and inspired to have hope for their future by thinking about long-term educational and career goals.

Ramona-Alessandro Elementary School Outstanding Students

Fifth-grader Jesus Echeverria is an excellent citizen. He is polite and respectful to staff and fellow students. He is also a good student. He completes all homework assignments and takes good notes in class. Jesus wants to attend college, but he hasn’t picked a career yet.

Kindergartener Rogelio Mercado has just started school and can already identify his numbers up to 31. He is eager to learn, even at this young age. Rogelio has lots of time to decide what career he wants to pursue, and the Alessandro staff thinks he will go far.

Fifth-grader Kartavya Singh is an excellent role model. He is responsible, excels academically, is active, and appreciates music. Kartavya reads at the 11th-grade level and is a creative and innovative writer. He aspires to study physics at MIT.

Anton Elementary School Outstanding Students

Fifth-grader Gonzalo Ahumada is an outstanding role model. He is a great classroom helper and is very reliable. Math is his favorite subject, so it’s no surprise he excels at it. Gonzalo wants to become a police officer after he graduates.

Third-grader Natalie Reynaga-Gil is polite and kind. She is also a hard worker who always tries her best in the classroom and the learning center. Natalie wants to attend college and become a veterinarian.

Fourth-grader Kaziana Williams is a sweet girl who does her best every day. She is friendly and kind and has a positive attitude toward learning. Kaziana wants to become a police officer someday.

Arrowhead Elementary School Outstanding Students

Fourth-grader Dominic Guevara is an outstanding person. She is empathetic and helpful. She takes her schoolwork seriously, always staying on task and working hard. Dominic wants to attend college and study medicine so she can become a doctor and help others.

Second-grader Aliyah Orozco is an outstanding citizen and positive role model. She believes in herself and knows she can be brave and strong enough to achieve her dream of being a police officer. She also wants to use her artistic talents and create video games.

Third-grader Michael Padilla is an avid reader who is reading at a 6th-grade level. He works hard and takes pride in his academic achievements. Michael wants to attend UCLA and serve his community as a police officer.

Barton Elementary School Outstanding Students

Fourth-grader Itza Arambula is in the top of her class, academically. She scores in the 99^th percentile in English and the 90^th percentile in math. Itza wants to attend college and become a teacher.

Sixth-grader Dayra Perez is a model student and the epitome of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). She is responsible and organized. Her attention to detail is present in everything she does. Dayra wants to attend UC Santa Barbara and open an eco-friendly business.

Sixth-grader Zechariah Saha is an exceptional role model and scholar. He scores in the 97th percentile in language arts and the 86th percentile in math. He understands the importance of perseverance and displays leadership skills. Zechariah wants to become a singer/songwriter.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library (SBPL) has received a $40,000 donation from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to purchase library books for the four city libraries of the San Bernardino Public Library.

“On behalf of the Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library, the Library Board of Trustees and the City of San Bernardino, we would like to thank the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their generosity to help us provide more literary resources to the public. The donations go a long way to promote education and early literacy to San Bernardino youth and their families,” said Library Director Edward Erjavek. “This longstanding partnership with San Manuel is a noteworthy example of community organizations coming together to help San Bernardino thrive.”

The library plans to purchase an estimated 2,000 books for readers of all ages in various genres and subjects, including some in Spanish. Books purchased with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians donation can be identified by the name of the tribe stamped on the blank page when you open a book as well as in the library’s public access catalog where it will read “Purchased by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians” along with the first letter of the respective library’s name receiving that copy. The catalog can be accessed at the library’s website at www.sbpl.org.

“San Manuel is proud to have an ongoing relationship with the San Bernardino Public Library. Our goal is to support the community through a variety of non-profit partnerships that reflect our core values including the importance of education. Therefore, we are proud of our ongoing efforts with the library to provide access to books and information to all those who seek it in this region,” said San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.

In 2015, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians donated $40,000 for library books and donated $45,000 in 2017.

Information about SBPL, directions to its four locations, hours and resources, Overdrive eBooks and audiobooks can be found at www.sbpl.org  or at 909-381-8201. You can also follow the library including its various programs onFacebook,  Instagram and Twitter.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Salvation Army ARC has open treatment beds for alcohol and drug rehab. For those that are interested, they can call Jeff Campbell at (909) 899-9605.

For those that are referred to the program, they must be ready to change and be sober for 24 hours before entry. Currently, there are more than 12-beds available and there are new graduates every week.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The 37th annual San Bernardino County Mock Trial competition starts on Thursday, October 30 with the first of four preliminary rounds, and 32 teams from 28 high schools are scheduled to take part in this year’s event.

The Mock Trial competition simulates a criminal case where students portray the principal courtroom characters on the defense and prosecution sides of a case before a real judge. This year’s trial is People v. Klein, a cyberbullying case.

The preliminary rounds of the competition will be held at the county courthouse in Victorville, the Foothill Law and Justice Center in Rancho Cucamonga and the San Bernardino Justice Center. All four rounds of the preliminaries will be held at 5 p.m. on October 30 and November 7, 13 and 27.

The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office are co-sponsors of the competition.

After the prelims, the top four teams will advance to the semifinals on Dec. 4 and 5 at 5 p.m. The semifinals will be held at the San Bernardino Justice Center at 247 W. Third St.

The finals are scheduled for 9 a.m. on Dec. 8 at the Foothill Law and Justice Center in Rancho Cucamonga (8303 N. Haven Ave.).

The winner of the county competition will advance to the state finals in March.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-VICTORVILLE, CA—- In his regional State of Education Address for the High Desert, San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre applauded local school districts for their collaborative spirit and highlighted student performances and programs that spur innovation and create educational opportunities.

“Preparing a rising generation for the new global economic and civic environment is a shared responsibility,” Alejandre said during his fourth annual State of Education Address. “In the county, we have joined together to create a countywide vision where all sectors of the community support the success of every child from cradle-to-career.”

Delivering his address entitled, “Impact the Present. Transform the Future,” at the High Desert Church, Alejandre was introduced by Caroll Yule, owner of Shear Realty in Apple Valley. This was the second of two regional addresses made by Alejandre, who also presented in San Bernardino on September 27.

Focusing on collective impact in the High Desert, Alejandre touted the Mountain/Desert Career Pathways Joint Powers Authority (JPA), which brings together the school districts of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia, Silver Valley, Snowline, Victor and Victor Valley. The JPA is designed to develop higher education and skill levels that benefit students and the region’s workforce.

“The Mountain/Desert Career Pathways JPA is an outstanding example of providing students with the opportunity to earn credit for college coursework while completing their high school education,” Alejandre said.

For the more than 403,000 students who attend public school in the county, Alejandre sited the need to develop a more highly skilled and educated workforce. Right now, more than 700 county school students and 50 teachers are taking part in an AP Readiness program through the University of California, Riverside. The program is made possible through a Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) innovation grant and will offer supplemental teaching and support for Advanced Placement (AP) students countywide, joining Riverside County students and teachers who have participated in the program during the past two academic years.

“GIA is geared toward improving educational attainment rates throughout the larger Inland Empire region as a means of furthering economic progress,” Alejandre said.

In an effort to boost literacy rates among early learners, county preschoolers have read more than 895 million words and more than 2.8 million books with a 79 percent reading comprehension level since the inception of Footsteps2Brilliance, a collaborative among County Schools, County Preschool Services, Children’s Fund and First 5 San Bernardino.

“Footsteps2Brilliance is impacting an entire generation of county preschoolers who will begin kindergarten prepared with literacy skills to jump-start their success,” Alejandre said.

Another countywide effort, Vision4Safety, aims to bring county residents together to create safer neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.

“Often when we think about safety, the first thing that comes to mind is crime and violence, including the unfortunate reality of violence on school campuses,” Alejandre said.

This past year, County Schools brought on board a highly experienced safety officer to support our classrooms and school districts in school safety planning, including equipping school communities for active shooter response should such an emergency arise.

In the area of students’ social and emotional wellness, there is a countywide focus on multi-tiered systems of support and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), which debuted in the county in the High Desert in 2009.

“Mental and emotional health are extremely complex issues, so it’s all the more critical that we are prepared to respond to the needs of students, so they can look to our schools as safe harbors,” Alejandre said.

The State of Education Address also featured several student performances from county school districts including:

• The Serrano High School Cadet Corps from the Snowline Joint Unified School District, which presented the flag colors;
• Xavier Padilla, a student at Victorville Education Center, who led the Pledge of Allegiance;
• The Serrano High School marching band, under the director of Mathew Fell, played a patriotic medley;
• Scarlett Brigham, a student at Big Bear High School in the Bear Valley Unified School District, delivered a spoken word performance;
• Granite Hills High School choir from the Apple Valley Unified sang;
• Encore School of the Arts dance group from Hesperia Unified also performed.

In conclusion, Alejandre called for public education not to just reform, but be transformative as it provides opportunities for all students. “Choose each day to make an impact … and transform lives through education,” he said.