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Grant will fund the Los Angeles County Human Trafficking Task Force Program; since 2015, the task force has made 1,624 arrests in connection to human trafficking activities and rescued 324 victims

Torres previously led efforts to secure nearly $70,000 in federal funding to fight human trafficking and prostitution in the Inland Empire

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a $749,982 grant to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to combat human trafficking. The grant will fund the Los Angeles County Human Trafficking Task Force (LACHTTF) Program to develop, enhance, and implement collaborative approaches to identify victims of human trafficking within the County, investigate and prosecute sex and labor trafficking cases at the local, state, and federal levels and address the individual needs of victims through the provision of comprehensive array of quality services.

“Human trafficking isn’t something that only occurs in faraway places, it’s happening in our own backyards every single day. To crack down on this horrible crime, we need to ensure that our local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to put perpetrators behind bars and keep our communities safe,” said Congresswoman Torres. 

“This support from the Department of Justice will enable the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to enhance its already successful efforts to thwart human trafficking in the Inland Empire and provide survivors with the justice and services needed to help them reclaim their lives. Local agencies should take advantage of the training opportunities available to them by joining this task force—it’s the first step to make certain that this vital program continues.”

“I would like to thank Congresswoman Norma Torres for her tireless work in the field of combatting the scourge of human trafficking. Her bipartisan efforts as part of the Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus have helped secure funding for this very important law enforcement and humanitarian effort,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. “Today’s grant award will help continue to fund the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force.”

Last year, Torres led a bipartisan group of Members of Congress in a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations calling for $50 million in funding nationwide for DOJ grant programs that support anti-human trafficking task forces, such as the LARHTTF. Torres is also a member of the Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus. She previously helped secure nearly $70,000 in DOJ grants to combat human trafficking and prostitution in the City of Pomona.

Torres is a member of the powerful House Appropriations and Rules Committees.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— More than 225 middle and high school students are scheduled to perform at the fourth annual San Bernardino County Performing Arts Showcase on the stage at the California Theatre of Performing Arts on April 2.

The students represent eight county school districts and cover performances by bands, drumlines, choirs, dance and theater groups. The event is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. on April 2 at the California Theatre, located at 562 W. Fourth St. in San Bernardino.

The public is invited to attend the free performance.

The Performing Arts Showcase is a collaborative effort between the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and The California Arts Project. Among the participating school groups are:

• Bloomington High vocal ensemble and Grand Terrace High theater group, Colton Joint Unified;
• Chaffey High chamber singers, Chaffey Joint Union High School District;
• Frisbie Middle advanced band, Rialto Unified;
• Pinon Mesa Middle advanced band, Snowline Joint Unified;
• Riverside Prep chamber singers, Oro Grande;
• San Bernardino City middle and high school drumlines, San Bernardino City Unified;
• Vernon Middle advanced dance, Ontario-Montclair;
• University Prep theater ensemble, Victor Valley Union High School District.

For more information about the event, contact County Schools’ Communications office at (909) 386-2413.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Please join in on the celebration of The Social Lites, Inc. 52^nd Beautillion Ball and witness five intelligent young men be presented to society on Saturday, March 30, at the National Orange Show.   “A Brighter Future is Yours to Write” is the theme for this year’s program.  Formal attire is required.  Tickets are $50 per person.  Doors will open at 6 p.m.

The Beautillion Knights and their court (Fairmaidens, Squires, and Pages) are participants in a mentorship program sponsored by The Social Lites, Inc. of San Bernardino. The five-month extracurricular program centered around academic and community service projects, is focused on leadership, character, life development skills, spiritual growth, public speaking, accountability, and health education for students of color from elementary to high school.  High school seniors who participate in the program are known as Knights.  The all-around Knight will be identified the evening of the Beautillion Ball as Sir Knight.  Other awards are given for academics and other achievements. 

For more information, please contact: knight.beautillion@gmail.com.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work as a social worker? How about a teacher or maybe a negotiator? How about all three jobs at the same time? Find out on March 14 during the Principal for a Day event.

Since its launch more than two decades ago as a collaboration between the District and the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce, the Principal for a Day program has hosted hundreds of private and public sector professionals.

Participants spend nearly half a day leading a District school alongside the actual principal. Besides a brief gathering first thing in the morning and an afternoon review, little else is scripted. A typical day for a guest principal may include greeting students, meeting teachers, and eating lunch in the cafeteria.

Photos by John Coleman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Maulana Karenga, PhD, Professor of Africana Studies at  California State University, Los Angeles was the guest speaker on February 27. He was invited by faculty, staff and students of San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) and other Inland Empire Organizations.

Dr. Karenga is internationally recognized as the creator of Kwanza,  the Pan-African and African American concept and holiday celebration. He has been a relatively frequent visitor to the area and has lead local observances of Kwanza festivities.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Public Library will be hosting two drawing workshops in observance of National Youth Art Month at the Feldheym Central Library, 555 w. 6^th Street in San Bernardino. The theme of Youth Art Month this year is “Your Art, Your Story”.

The first workshop will be on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 4 P.M. and will be presented by Emmy Award winning author and artist, Ruth Elliott. Her years of experience in the animation industry have given her a desire to share her love of art and stories with children, who enjoy participating and learning valuable character lessons.

Animation artist and author Ruth Elliott has worked for Hanna Barbera, Warner Brothers, Disney and other studios on shows such as The Smurfs, Scooby Doo, Space Jam, The Simpsons, The Tigger Movie, and countless others!  She brings a wealth of knowledge to share her tips on drawing with YOU!” Ruth will provide materials and takeaways for this free art session, including a free download of her book, SEE What You’re LOOKING At!

The second workshop will be on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 4 P.M. and will be presented by author, artist, and cartoonist Phil Yeh.Phil Yeh, founder of Cartoonists Across America, and also known as “The Godfather of the Graphic Novel”, will present a “Design Your Own Story” workshop to help with creating plots and characters to make your own book.

Yeh is one of the pioneers of the graphic novel art form and published one of the first graphic novels in the U.S.  (Even CazcoGets the Blues) in the spring of 1977. He has written over 80 books for all ages. His children’s book, Dinosaurs Across America,was named one of 25 outstanding graphic novels for kids in a cover article of School Library Journal and also won a Children’s Choice Award. Participants will receive a free comic book.

Youth Art Month was founded in 1961 and is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art and art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs. Some of the goals of Youth Art Month are to recognize art as a necessity for the full development of better quality of life for all; direct attention to the value of art education for divergent and critical thinking; expand art programs in schools and stimulate new art programs; encourage commitment to the arts by students, community organizations, and individuals everywhere; provide additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in creative art learning; and to increase community understanding and interest in art and art education through involvement in art exhibits, workshops, and other creative ventures.

For more information on Youth Art Month, visit http://www.arteducators.org/news/yam.

This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library and is open to all ages. For more information call 909.381.8238 or visit www.sbpl.org or www.facebook.com/SBPLfriends/

Photos by John Coleman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Many people know that James Ramos frequently begins his public presentations with songs, rituals, behaviors and symbols that flow from his people and their history. When attending events (often held within churches) in the Black community, Ramos implies awareness of historic parallels in the treatment of Indigenous and Black peoples in the United States.

The program for the Community Swearing-in was inclusive of African Americans and the structure of many community events. The event opened with an invocation  by Pastor Reginald Young. Ecclesia Church Choir gave a musical selection and Terrance Stone of Young Visionaries was the Master of Ceremonies. The San Bernardino Pacesetters Drill and Drum Squad closed the event with a procession.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA— Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital hosted hundreds of children, teachers and parents at the 34th annual Children’s Day, presented by Farmer Boys, on Wednesday, March 6. Guests weren’t deterred by the heavy rain as all activities and booths were set-up under a large, tent-covered area on the Drayson Center’s Superfield.

The free event, designed for children ages 3-8, was attended by families, schools and day cares across the Inland Empire. Children’s Day has offered young children the opportunity to experience various healthcare procedures and hospital settings in a fun, interactive and non-threatening way since 1985.

Organized by the Child Life Services department at Children’s Hospital, the event offered many opportunities for children to learn — some of the activities included:

• Stitch station: children learned about having stitches through visuals and storytelling.
• Teddy bear clinic: children were encouraged to bring their own doll, stuffed animal or teddy bear for a “check-up.”
• Finger casting: children were able to learn about casts and create one out of plaster for their own fingers.
• Dr. Hayes’ venomous creatures: Dr. Bill Hayes taught children about his many creatures, including rattlesnakes, lizards and more.
• Stroke awareness
• Nutrition
• Dental health and care

Photos by John Coleman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— King Middle School is the District’s fourth and newest School to Watch.

King joins just 15 other schools across California to earn the prestigious honor this year from the California Department of Education and the California League of Schools.  Curtis, Golden Valley, and Serrano Middle Schools earned the Schools to Watch designation in previous years.

Becoming a state and national model of school excellence is the result of years of hard work on the part of teachers, staff, students, and parents, said Principal Maria Jauregui.  And, the focus of that work was not solely on improving academic achievement.

Cultivating caring connections with students has been a major emphasis for every King Middle School staff member, from teachers to custodians.

“We’re focusing on social-emotional learning along with academics,” said Jauregui, who has lead King for the past nine years. “If we don’t have a relationship with our students, we have nothing.  That’s why every interaction is an opportunity to connect with our students and all stakeholders.”

Teachers have undergone training in social and emotional learning, which emphasizes the approach of learning to be empathic and compassionate of others as a means to establishing relationships. Studies show that children who have been exposed to traumatic experiences cannot focus on learning. But when educators are given the tools to be aware of students’ emotional, social and behavioral needs they can help them address those issues so that learning is not interrupted, Jauregui said.

Teachers are not the only ones who benefitted from training.

King students also learn about positive ways to resolve conflict.  The school’s new Wellness Center is a quiet place where students can meet with a counselor or student support specialist to receive extra support or to just self-soothe by engaging in individual mindfulness activities.

The emphasis on the whole child has resulted in students making academic gains, Jauregui stated. More than half of King’s 700 students have a grade-point average of 3.0 or above for the first semester reporting grades this academic school year. Halfway through the school year, only four King Middle School students have faced suspension.

“Campus is calm, students are learning, we are a school on the move,” Jauregui said.