(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- October is Bullying Prevention Month, and San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) credits its innovative undercover anti-bullying teams with reducing student-on-student harassment.

The District’s Positive Youth Development Department, in collaboration with university professors, designed an effective, holistic system to respond to incidents of bullying centered around empowering students to encourage kindness and respect.

Known as the Bullying Intervention Team, the system involves a reporting process, tracking system, and a team of experts that assist school sites in conducting a Restorative Justice Practice called the Undercover Anti-Bullying Team (UABT) from start to finish. In place at more than half of the 72 SBCUSD schools, the UABTs have experienced success rates not seen with other bullying-intervention efforts.

“The traditional responses to school bullying, including suspensions, bullying contracts, or school policing, can make matters worse for the student being bullied,” said Marlene Bicondova, a former middle school principal who now leads the District’s Positive Youth Development Department. “What is very unique about this approach in particular is that influential students are empowered to do the work that has been deemed almost impossible for adults. Once the bullying issue is completely resolved, the team celebrates the success.”

Since the beginning of the UABT, 48 cases across the District have been resolved through this approach, while many more have been concluded at schools where counselors are trained to use the UABT intervention. Cal State San Bernardino professor Dr. John Winslade and Michael Williams, authors of the book Safe and Peaceful Schools, have been the catalysts in this groundbreaking work.

Although Bicondova and her team of experts agree that no single strategy is 100 percent effective, not one of the UABT efforts have failed to date. In fact, the Bullying Intervention Team has a bank of video testimonials from principals, parents, teachers, counselors, and students to prove that this is a highly effective and positive approach to eliminate bullying and restore relationships.

Join SBCUSD and the Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center in celebrating Unity Day on Wednesday, October 23 by wearing orange. Unity Day is about standing together against bullying and uniting for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Learn more at https://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/unity-day.asp.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Social Lites, Inc. of San Bernardino 53rd Beautillion Scholarship 2019-2020 program under the leadership of Mrs. Tina Darling, Beautillion Chairperson is now in progress. Its’ not too late for young men seeking scholarship opportunities in addition to being mentored by leaders in the community to participate in this fabulous program.

It is great to have leaders such as Dr. Rose Culpepper and Bessine Little, City Council Woman, 6th Ward mentor young men this past Saturday.

The next meeting will be on Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Center for Youth & Community Development (formerly Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino) located at 1180 W. 9th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92411.

For more information, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Tina Darling at tribicu2@msn.com or Ms. Lisa Blacksher, President at lisasocialities@gmail.com or Mrs. Bettye Brewster, Business Manager, bettyebrewster@yahoo.com

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC), Young Visionaries, and Family & Kids Foundation will be hosting a “Teacher Appreciation Day” on Saturday, October 26, 2019 for all teachers in the Inland Empire. Teachers will be able to “shop” from a wide assortment of age-specific educational materials for their classrooms at no cost. This event is made possible through a generous donation from Family & Kids Foundation and their corporate donor, Teacher Created Resources. Teachers will have access to choose from thousands of various school supplies such as text books, bulletin board materials, charts and student guides for all grades. 

Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County will also supplement school supplies with 3-ring binders, glue sticks, pens, pencils and many other items.

“A recent article published by Business Insider on August 15, 2019 stated that while the federal government reports that teachers spend an average of $500 out of pocket on school supplies, some public school teachers who were interviewed reported that they spend as much as $1,000. As a collaboration, we’re honored to support local school teachers and help alleviate some of their out of pocket spending. We value every teacher’s dedication and commitment to  ensuring the academic success of their students, and we believe that if we work together we can create a greater impact and provide a brighter future for the students.” – Patricia L. Nickols-Butler, CAPSBC President/CEO

By Lou Yeboah

Naw Boo Boo! It’s either this or that! You can’t have both! You got to choose one or the other! You see Jesus said, “I wish you were either Hot or Cold, but because you are Lukewarm, I’m about to spit you out of my mouth.” Talking ’bout you’ll take a little bit of this, and a little bit of that!”

I tell you, this is an indicative of the attitude of many so-called-Christians. They want the blessings of Christ, but yet they want to be able to indulge in all the worldly pleasures too. Naw, Boo, Boo! You got to choose. God uses the term adultery for a reason. We cannot participate in communion one day, then flirt with idolatry the next. Jesus said in [Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13], “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. “A little bit of this, and a little bit of that!” You can’t have the best of both worlds. You got to choose! It’s either this or that!  “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eight person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly.” [2 Peter 2:4-6].  Do you see what the Lord is telling us here. It is a warning that we should not follow in their footsteps by practicing the same sins. ‘A little bit of this and a little bit of that!”

How long will you be caught between two opinions, two lifestyles, two beliefs, two directions, two mindsets, two masters, two desires. “If it seems evil unto you to serve the LORD, then choose you this day Whom ye will serve…” [Joshua 24:15]. Because it’s all or nothing! You can’t be 50% Christian and 50% worldly. It doesn’t work that way. Jesus stated: “He that is not with Me is against Me” [Matthew 12:30]. Not only is indecision a dangerous thing. It is repugnant to God mouth. [James 4:4] says, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”  “What shall [you] say then? Shall [you] continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid… [Romans 6:1-2].

Listen, throughout the Bible we find that God holds up choices to people – life or death, righteousness or sin, justice or deceit – and He does not force us to live the good life. It is a choice. It is your choice. I tell you, what was true of Moses day is true of today. You have got to choose! What way will you live: Godly or Worldly? Time to decide.

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…..” [Deuteronomy 30:19]

WASHINGTON- CBCF President & CEO David A. Hinson issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Cummings:

“The CBCF Board of Directors, Corporate Advisory Council and staff collectively mourn the loss of House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair and Congressman Elijah E. Cummings. He passed away this morning. 

“Since 1996, Congressman Cummings has represented Maryland’s 7th District as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to joining Congress, he served in the Maryland House of Delegates for 16 years and became the first African American in Maryland to be named Speaker Pro Tem.

“Rep. Cummings was a true champion for justice and dedicated his life to empower the citizens in his district, and people across the United States and the globe. His life’s work literally fulfilled CBCF’s mission to develop leaders, inform policy, and educate the public.

“The congressman previously served on CBCF’s board of directors and was an avid supporter of the Foundation’s many initiatives. This summer, he charged CBCF Congressional interns to ‘make a difference’ and ‘save this [our] democracy’. Earlier this year, he generously allowed CBCF staff to interview him for the AVOICE Heritage ‘Who I Am’ video.  

“In the fall of 2018, he and his wife, Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings — founder of CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research — participated in the launch and celebration of the inaugural Journal of the Center for Policy Analysis and Research. 

CBCF will dearly miss this influential and pioneering lawmaker who helped transform his district and facilitated fundamental change. As a member of Congress with a full schedule, he made time to support CBCF and showed up when it mattered and where it counted. His eyes were ALWAYS on the prize and we will be forever grateful for his inspiring words and the countless treasures he has gifted us over the years. 

“We join others across the nation in extending our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and constituents. May he rest in power.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Imagine writing a 50,000-word novel in a single month. That means writing approximately 1,667 words each day of character dialogue, scene descriptions, and plot. It might sound impossible, but it isn’t because hundreds of thousands of people all over the world have done it, some multiple times. That’s the magic of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

NaNoWriMo celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, inspiring writers online and in person to get their ideas down on the page to share with the world. For everyone who has ever dreamed of being a writer, ever dreamed of completing the novel that has been playing out in their head, November becomes a call to action to start writing and keep writing.

By joining the NaNoWriMo website, writers can declare their novel to the world, earn badges for their writing achievements, and join a worldwide community of writers all working in November towards the same goal—50,000 words.

Supporting Writers of All Ages

This is the 14th year of the Young Writers Program (YWP), which brings NaNoWriMo’s unique style of creative writing into classrooms. The YWP helps young writers—participating both in classrooms and independently—set individual word-count goals and divide their work into daily, achievable milestones.

NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program website features an interactive, youth-friendly writing space, a robust suite of admin tools, and the ability for educators to create multiple virtual classrooms. Resources such as Common Core-aligned lesson plans and Young Novelist Workbooks are also available. In addition, NoNoWriMo sends out free classroom kits each year filled with posters, stickers, and other offline resources.

An Entire Community With You As You Write

This November, Municipal Liaisons (MLs) will coordinate hundreds of local, in-person writing events, working with local businesses, libraries, and community centers to bring creative writing into cities and regions across the globe. In San Bernardino County alone, a team of two MLs will be holding meet-ups during October to help potential novelists prepare and schedule write-ins during November to offer support, inspiration and free swag to participants. The Come Write In program (CWI) includes partners at more than 1,000 libraries, book stores, and community spaces around the world. This year, that includes the Feldheym Central Library in San Bernardino.

SanBerdooNaNo

The San Bernardino County region of NaNoWriMo, known as SanBerdooNaNo, has its own social media accounts and a special area on the official NaNoWriMo online forums. The local MLs will also be hosting NaNoWriMo prep sessions across the county in October. Drop by one or more prep sessions to learn about NaNoWriMo, get some tips on planning for your novel, and get access to some amazing resources.

NaNo Prep Highland!Wednesday, October 16, 5 p.m.Highland Branch Library7863 Central Avenue, Highland 92346Informational and plotting session at the Highland library

Get Ready to Novel!Sunday, October 20, 4 p.m.Starbucks Coffee4365 University Parkway, San Bernardino 92407Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while you learn about NaNoWriMo, get familiar with the new website and forums, and have your burning novel prep questions answered
San Bernardino City Prep EventTuesday, October 22, 6 p.m.Feldheym Central Library555 West 6th Street, San Bernardino 92410Learn about NaNoWriMo and the new website and forums and get access to resources for planning your novel

High Desert Planning NightThursday, October 24, 5:30 p.m.Comic Cult HD9594 I Avenue, Suite F, Hesperia 92345Hang out with local High Desert writers and get help planning your NaNoWriMo project.

NaNoWriMo Kick Off PartySunday, October 27, 2 p.m.Comic Cult HD9594 I Avenue, Suite F, Hesperia 92345A social and motivational event before you start your novel

By John Coleman, Community Photographer

Depending on who you were and on how you knew Emma (Armstrong) then  Mrs. George Bernard Shaw, and possibly more importantly,  how she knew you,   you may have known and called Mrs. Emma Shaw by many different names and titles.  

Her titles were simple: daughter, sister, aunt,  wife,  mother;  Mrs Shaw,  etc.   None of us grew up with her during her early years, but we can see the evidence of  her strength,  honor,  charity,  faith,  and  LOVE  that was baked into and built  into the 300 or more Shaw children, grandchildren,  grandchildren,  and Great-Great-grandchildren. and beyond.  

Mrs. Emma Shaw was born in Louisiana in 1912.   She and her family moved to San Bernardino, California  in 1944 where she found jobs, including work at Norton Air Force Base and the National Orange Show.

The Shaw family,  now estimated to include more than 500 members,  reside throughout the U.S., but primarily around the Inland area.

Mrs. Shaw  passed on  September 18, 2019, at the age of 107 years old.  The Funeral Services were held on October 4, 2019, at Ecclesia Church in San Bernardino and were followed by a burial at Mt View Cemetery in San Bernardino.

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Global Entertainer and former honoree La Toya Jackson hosted this year’s Face Forward Gala that took place at The Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills with a special performance by recording artist CeeLo Green.

This annual gala raises funds that directly support patient treatment and recoveries, airfare, accommodations, and all necessary medical expenses for survivors of domestic violence. Founder of Face Forward and domestic violence survivor, Deborah Alessi along with her Co-founder and husband, Dr. David Alessi M.D., Beverly Hills renowned facial reconstructive surgeon, have provided millions of dollars in donating surgical and counseling services to nearly 80 patients from 10 different countries around the globe, some requiring up to ten or more surgeries each, over multiple years of treatment.

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Last years Beacon of Hope winner Caitlyn Jenner was present to pass her award forward and present to this year’s winner.

Celebrities present included Actor John Savage, Actress Christina DeRosa, Australian actress/model Nicky Whelan, and many others. For more information about Face Forward, visit http://www.faceforwardla.org/.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOS ANGELES, CA— Many times life can become intensely unpredictable and somewhat trying. With that being said, people are sometimes bound to lose their sense of purpose and identity, and in turn they become broken and feel stagnant on their journey to fulfilling their dreams. Haitian-American writer and entrepreneur, Britney D. Laborde, is giving people a sense of hope, purpose and healing with the release of her book, “I Am Healed”.

“I Am Healed’ was created to give people a sense of hope for their future, strength to keep going and the willingness to fight for their destiny,” Laborde explains. “I want my readers to know that everything you were brought to; you were built to grow through.”

Throughout the pages of the book, Britney incorporates her personal journey as a living testimony that you can find healing, restoration and power from within if you only believe, have a positive mind, and trust that all things are working together for your good.

“I Am Healed” is scheduled for release on Amazon on Wednesday, November 6, 2019. To stay updated on the release of the book and events, follow I Am Healed Movement on Instagram @iamhealedmovement.

SAN BERNARDINO – Brenda Dowdy, homeless education project manager for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, will receive the 2019 Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award at a national conference in Washington, D.C., in November.

Dowdy will be honored at the 31^st annual National Association for the Education of Homeless Children Conference on Nov. 3.

For the past 13 years, Dowdy has worked in County Schools’ Children Deserve Success program, working with liaisons of the county’s 33 school districts in homeless education to provide services for students and families.

San Bernardino County is home to more than 33,000 students identified as homeless as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

Dowdy has led efforts through County Schools to provide backpacks with school supplies, clothing and personal hygiene items for students. She also has helped raise and coordinate distribution of college scholarships for high school graduates annually.