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City of San Bernardino Begins Cleanup of Perris Hill Park

Last week’s encampment cleanup will be followed by a two-week closure for additional cleaning, repairs, and maintenance.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — After weeks of outreach, the City of San Bernardino began a

two-day encampment cleanup of Perris Hill Park on Thursday, November 14. This marks the first encampment cleanup in the San Bernardino since a judge recently lifted an injunction preventing cleanups in the city.

“These past two days have been a big success, and I want to thank everyone involved,” said San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran. “We have compassionately cleared the Park and will be restoring it for use by our residents and families.”

At approximately 7:30 am on Thursday, San Bernardino staff began systematically reminding unhoused individuals that the 64.4-acre park on Highland Avenue was to be cleaned up for health and safety reasons and they would need to leave.

San Bernardino Housing Department staff, Public Works crews, Police officers, Animal Services staff, City homeless outreach workers, and park rangers, along with City trash hauler, Burrtec, worked with the campers to identify items that could be disposed, items that they would take with them, and items that the city would temporarily store for up to 90 days.

Representatives from the Salvation Army and the San Bernardino City Unified School District were also on hand to assist.

“This is a high priority. We wanted to make sure that our first cleanup went smoothly, and it did,” said Acting City Manager Rochelle Clayton. “The cleanup only took two days, but this operation has been underway for over a month.”

In the weeks leading up to the cleanup, the City, along with its partners from the County of San Bernardino and area non-profits, held multiple outreach events at the park to connect individuals with local service providers. City homeless outreach staff were at the park daily for more than a month.

Due to the advanced outreach, a reduction in the number of tents prior to the cleanup was noticeable. More than thirty individuals were placed in programs including family reunification, drug
rehabilitation, transitional and permanent housing, and room and board assistance.

Shuttles were on site to transport people to local hotels and shelters or to nearby pharmacies to fill prescriptions. Some park residents called friends and family to come and help them move. Additional accommodations were provided to disabled individuals in need of special assistance.

Since the court injunction was ordered in January preventing the City from conducting cleanups, the number of people camping in Perris Hill Park dramatically increased, causing health and safety concerns for both people living in and visiting the park.

As a result, the City has announced that much of Perris Hill Park will be closed for approximately two weeks, between Saturday, November 16 and Monday, December 1
for additional cleanup, landscaping, maintenance, and repairs. The Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center, tennis courts, and Senior Center will remain open.

San Bernardino Public Works crews also posted new signage stating Perris Hill Park operating hours, parking rules, and the City’s camping ordinances. The City will be enforcing these restrictions at the park following the temporary closure.

Perris Hill Park is the largest park in the City of San Bernardino at 64.4 acres. Among its features are the Perris Hill Senior Center, Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center, Fiscalini
Baseball Field, the 1,800 seat Roosevelt Bowl, the San Bernardino YMCA, tennis and pickleball courts, hiking trails, and playgrounds.

“I’d like our residents to know that this is just the first park cleanup we are doing,” added Tran. “More will be coming soon.”

Palm Springs Approves $27 Million Reparations Deal for Displaced Black and Latino Families

By Bo Tefu ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

The Southern California city of Palm Springs approved a $27 million reparations compensation package for Black and Latino families who were displaced from their homes in the 1960s.

The city council voted on the deal Thursday, following an announcement last week. The move, which has garnered support from Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), comes as part of a broader push for reparations in California.

Areva Martin acted as lead counsel for the Palm Springs group and represented the impacted families.

“We are making history in Palm Springs,” said Martin. “This agreement demonstrates that it’s never too late to acknowledge past wrongs and take meaningful steps toward justice.”

The reparations agreement targets families from Section 14, a predominantly Black and Latino neighborhood demolished in the 1960s to make way for commercial development. Hundreds of families lost their homes in the process, and descendants have been advocating for reparations since the city issued an official apology in 2021. Despite the city’s apology, many were concerned that no payments had been made, prompting action from Butler earlier this year.

The deal includes $5.9 million in direct compensation for around 300 survivors and their descendants, well below the $2 billion initially requested. In addition to cash payments, the agreement includes $10 million for a first-time homebuyer assistance program and $10 million for a community land trust aimed at affordable housing. Other provisions include $1 million for diversity and inclusion initiatives, a renamed park, and a monument to honor the displaced families.

Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein called the settlement a fair and just resolution, expressing hope that the agreement would set a national precedent for reparations. While this follows a similar reparations program in Evanston, Illinois, California’s statewide efforts have faced resistance, especially following Newsom’s rejection of a state-level reparations proposal earlier this year.

The Palm Springs settlement is seen as a historic step toward addressing racial injustice, though challenges to similar programs continue elsewhere in the U.S.

Unanimous 5-0 Vote For Justice: Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors Reach Historic Settlement Agreement, Including $5.9 Million In Direct Payments, With City Of Palm Springs

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

PALM SPRINGS, CA— On Thursday, November 14, the Palm Springs City Council voted unanimously (5-0), for a comprehensive settlement package with the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors that includes $5.9 million in direct cash payments to Survivors of Section 14, as well as renaming a park in Palm Springs to honor the Section 14 Survivors, and creating a monument to commemorate the history of Section 14.

This unanimous vote marks the end of a decades-long journey for justice and healing for hundreds of families displaced during the 1950s and 1960s.

Additionally, outside of the legal settlement, the City Council voted 5-0 in favor of community initiatives for housing and economic development programs, including: $20 million in affordable housing initiatives over ten years ($10 million as part of a first-time homebuyer assistance program; and, a community land trust of $10 million); and, $1 million spanning five years toward small business development, to promote diversity and inclusion in Palm Springs’ small businesses. The City Council also agreed to establish a day of remembrance for Section 14 and is supportive of a racial and cultural healing center.

Photos and video of the meeting are available (please attribute to Diamond Dust Photography):

The agreement acknowledges the City’s role in the destruction of Section 14, a once vibrant one-square-mile community of predominantly African American and Latino residents that was demolished without warning as the City sought commercial development. The destruction of this community resulted in the loss of homes and personal property for hundreds of survivors and their descendants.

“This unanimous vote represents more than just monetary compensation – it is a long-overdue acknowledgment of a deep historical wrong that tore apart a thriving community,” said Areva Martin, lead counsel for the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors. “While no settlement can fully heal the wounds inflicted by the horrors of displacement, this agreement is a monumental step in restorative justice. This vote tells the Section 14 Survivors: your pain was real, your stories matter, and you deserve justice. Finally, justice prevailed. I’d like to acknowledge and thank my partners and fellow attorneys at Martin & Martin, LLP, Michael Swartz and Sara Solfanelli of Schulte Roth & Zabel, Daniel Suvor and David Lash of O’Melveny, and Professor Eric Miller of Loyola Law School. Above all else, I am deeply grateful to the Survivors of Section 14 for placing your trust in me and my team throughout this process. It has been an honor and privilege to work with them to finally achieve justice after so many decades.”

“The eyes of the nation were on Palm Springs, and I am so thankful to this City Council for voting with their hearts and for doing the right thing,” said Pearl Devers, President of the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors. “I am elated to see that this City Council did the right thing across the board. After years of lifting our voices, we can finally say justice has been achieved. In partnership with Areva Martin and her team, we have made it to this historic moment, so we can finally close this chapter of Palm Springs’ history and move forward, in unity and in healing.”

This agreement follows sustained advocacy efforts of not only the survivors and their supporters, but from elected officials, civil rights organizations, and social justice organizations from Palm Springs and across California and the entire nation, including: Senator Laphonza Butler, the National Urban League, the California League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Human Rights Campaign, Equality California, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and others.

“The minute I heard about this grave and painful injustice, I knew that we needed to get this done,” said Senator Barbara Boxer, Co-Chair at Actum. “At a time when it seems like we are so divided and angry, coming together to achieve this historic agreement is re-energizing and is a shining light of hope at the end of the tunnel. Whatever may happen at a national level, this unanimous vote is a reminder that in California, we still believe in justice, equity, and dignity for all. That means more than just words – it means action and accountability.”

“I am elated that we have reached a historic agreement in a case that has long cried out for justice. Actum, in collaboration with Attorney Areva Martin and the Section 14 Survivors, has worked tirelessly on a matter that has cast a shadow over Palm Springs for many decades,” said Rachel Noerdlinger, Equity Partner at Actum. “While we cannot erase the deeply rooted pain of the past century, nor can we overlook the inequities that have persisted through generations, this agreement serves as a model for any community that has suffered due to discrimination by governments at all levels.”

The agreement marks a new chapter in Palm Springs’ commitment to addressing historical injustices, allowing all Palm Springs residents, along with the Section 14 Survivors, to move forward in healing and reconciliation.

About Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors:

Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors is a non-profit group deeply rooted in the history and legacy of Palm Springs, composed of more than 1,000 survivors and descendants of Palm Springs Section 14.

Section 14, a one-square-mile area just east of downtown Palm Springs, was a vibrant community of predominantly African American and Latino residents. From the late 1950s through the 1960s, the City of Palm Springs, seeking commercial development, demolished this thriving community, destroying homes, personal property, and belongings without warning.

This destruction led to significant economic, physical, and emotional trauma for the residents of Section 14 and their descendants, who have not been able to recover the generational wealth that was taken from them. The survivors and descendants, with the support and counsel of leading civil rights attorney Areva Martin, continue to seek justice and restitution. Their mission transcends monetary compensation, it is a quest for acknowledgement of the past, communal healing, and the establishment of restorative measures that ensure such injustices are never repeated.

Learn more at Section14Survivors.com or KnowBeforeYouGoPalmSprings.com

San Bernardino native serves aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt

SAN DIEGO, CA— U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Seaman India Hawkins, from San Bernardino, California, tapes a panel light for painting aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Nov. 6, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, the flagship of Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, is currently pierside at Naval Air Station North Island in its homeport of San Diego.

2024 General Election: Black Women Make History as California and U.S. Senators

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

There is one African American woman currently serving in the California State Senate, Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights).

It’s the same in the U.S. Senate.

In October of 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) to complete the term of Sen. Dianne Feinstein after she passed away in September 2023. Butler will likely be replaced in January by Adam Schiff, who is projected to win the seat after the Nov. 5 general election.

Now, two more Black women are on pace to become California State Senators.

In the United States Senate, two Black women have already won seats. Lisa Blunt-Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland will be going to Capitol Hill in January after winning their respective U.S. Senate races.

It will be the first time in U.S., history that two Black women have served in the Senate at the same time.

“It is remarkable to think that in two years, America will celebrate is 250th birthday and in all those years, there has been more than 2000 people who have served in the United States Senate and only three have looked like me,” said Alsobrooks in her victory speech on Nov. 5.

“So, I want to salute all of those who came before me, who made it possible for me to stand on this stage tonight, whose sacrifice and stories I will continue to carry with me,” added Alsobrooks.

In Southern California, as of Nov. 9, Laura Richardson leads Michelle Chambers with 107,255 votes to 103 638 votes in Senate District 35. Both women are Democrats. The 35th Senate District 35 encompasses an area in South L.A. County, including parts of Inglewood, Compton, San Pedro, Hawthorne, and Carson.

That seat is currently held by California Legislative Black Caucus vice chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), who terms out in December and is running for lieutenant Governor in 2026.

Richardson served in the California State Assembly in 2006-2007 before she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served from 2007 to 2013.

“As a dedicated housing advocate for the past decade, I stand unwavering in my commitment to ending homelessness,” Richardson stated on her campaign website. “With a profound understanding of the pressing issues at hand, my top priority is to spearhead the creation of more affordable housing options.”

Chambers is a former Compton city Councilwoman who has worked for the State’s Attorney General’s office.

“Our campaign is about fighting for the needs of working families,” Chambers posted on the social media platform X, formerly called Twitter, on Oct. 11. “I’ll always stand up for our #SD35 communities – not special interests.”

In San Diego, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), is leading her Republican opponent, Bob Devine, in the race for the 39th Senate District seat. Weber has 219, 465 votes (62.4%) so far to Devine’s 132, 044 (37.6%).

Weber and Devine are vying for a seat that is currently held by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), who will be running for governor in 2026.

“I am extremely humbled and incredibly grateful for the support you’ve shown me throughout the election,” Weber posted Nov. 6 on the X. “San Diego has just made history by electing the first African American woman to the CA State Senate south of Los Angeles. Thank you for believing in me. Now let’s get to work.”

Eight years ago, Blunt-Rochester first made history in Congress as the first Black person and woman elected to represent Delaware. Alsobrooks was a Maryland states attorney and a County Executive in Prince Georges County before running for the Senate.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black person elected as U.S. Senator from California, served from 2016 to 2020. Blunt-Rochester pointed out that Kamala Harris had only four months to launch her presidential campaign, highlighting the significant challenge of such a tight timeline.

“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for stepping up to run when our country needed her leadership, tenacity, and commitment to serve the American people,” Blunt-Rochester stated. “Because of the trails she blazed, the lives she touched, the communities she fought for, the stories she uplifted, we are better.”

Crafton Hill College’s Dr. Ericka Paddock selected for Social Justice, Career Advancement Institute

YUCAIPA, CA— The Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) has announced that Associate Dean of Student Services and Student Life at Crafton Hills College (CHC), Dr. Ericka Paddock, is one of 45 leaders selected for the second cohort of the Social Justice & Career Advancement (SJCA) Institute.

In a competitive process, fellows are selected for their leadership potential and commitment to making an impact. The SJCA Institute aims to provide education leaders with a strong foundation in social justice and identity training, combined with career advancement strategies and professional networking opportunities. This initiative seeks to create more equitable and diverse campuses across the system and is aligned with the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility goals of Vision 2030, a strategic plan of the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.

With over two million students enrolled across 116 campuses, California Community Colleges represent one of the most diverse student populations in the nation. The SJCA Institute is a unique effort to ensure each campus is led by qualified, diverse leaders equipped to drive student success. This year’s cohort includes participants from over 30 institutions, ranging from small rural colleges to large urban campuses.

“The Social Justice and Career Advancement Institute is a transformative program, providing educators and administrators with essential social justice training, career development tools and a strong peer network to lead systemic change across California’s community colleges,” said Dr. Sonya Christian, chancellor of California Community Colleges. “This groundbreaking collaboration between the Chancellor’s Office and ACCCA is a key step toward realizing Vision 2030’s mission of embedding equity throughout higher education by cultivating leaders who will champion inclusion and equity-driven practices at every level.”

Dr. Delmy Montenegro-Spencer, vice president of Student Services at CHC, said, “Dr. Paddock’s selection for the SJCA Institute is a testament to her passion for justice and equality. This opportunity will undoubtedly empower her to continue leading initiatives that drive lasting, positive change in our community.”

CHC President Dr. Kevin Horan also emphasized, “Dr. Paddock has been instrumental in advancing Crafton Hills College’s efforts to foster an inclusive environment. Her participation in the SJCA Institute is a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding leadership in addressing these critical issues.”

For more information about the SJCA Institute, visit https://accca.org/events-and-programs/sjca-institute.

Announcing The 2024 Swans Club Debutante Ball

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernadino-based Swans Club of the Inland Empire is excited to present six exceptional young women at the organization’s 64th Annual Debutante Ball, which will be held on the evening of Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Hotel.

 

The Swans Club, founded in 1960, is a non-profit organization that raises funds to provide college scholarships to teenage girls in the Inland Empire. Entry into the Debutante Ball is by pre-purchased ticket only. Tickets are $75 each, and the deadline for purchasing tickets is Sunday, October 27, 2024. As a reminder, formal attire is required for all Ball attendees (long gowns and tuxedoes).

The 2024 Swans Club Debutantes making their debut are:

  • Miss Ausara Bell, a senior at John W. North High School in Riverside.
  • Miss Omaega Johnson, a senior at Cajon High School in San Bernardino.
  • Miss Brooklyn Malveaux, a senior at Cajon High School in San Bernardino.
  • Miss Leianna Scott, a senior at Cajon High School in San Bernardino.
  • Miss Crystal Scott, a freshman at Riverside City College in Riverside.
  • Miss Zaair Thompson, a senior at Cajon High School in San Bernardino.

Visit The Swans Club’s website, theswans.1960.com for information to purchase tickets to the 2024 Debutante Ball by the October 27th deadline or email The Swans at theswans.1960@gmail.com.  All contributions are tax deductible. See you on November 9th.

Bottom Line: MY vote on the California Propositions… your vote may not be the same, but please vote!

Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen IV

2: $10 billion bonds to build educational facilities Schools, Yes

3: Right to Marry, Yes

4: $10 Billion Bonds funding environmental projects, Yes

5: Easier 55% vote to pass; Housing Bonds, Yes

6: End involuntary servitude, Yes

32: Increase minimum wage to $18, Yes

33: Too Much Rent Control, No

34: Requires Health Care Providers to use 98% of pharmaceutical revenue for services, Yes

35: Tax on MCO’s to fund Medi-Cal, Yes

36: More Arrests, No

Stop-the-Hate Message Shared with Tens of Thousands at California’s Largest Black-Themed Street Festival

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Hundreds of thousands gathered at the 19th annual Taste of Soul Festival in Crenshaw — an event dubbed “California’s largest block party” — on Oct. 19.

At the event, California Black Media (CBM) partnered with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) to spread the word about the California Vs. Hate, a statewide hate crime online resource and telephone hotline, launched in 2023.  The system enables Californians to easily report hate crimes and hate incidents.

“Held in the heart of south Los Angeles on Crenshaw Blvd, over half a million people attend the one-day event that brings out the best our community has to offer,” said Brandon Brooks, Stop the Hate project director at California Black Media.

“The festival promotes local businesses as well as it brings out local and statewide resources to assist community members, Brooks continued. “The day has proven to be a great opportunity to speak to people directly and provide information to combat hate crimes and incidents.”

During the event, Brooks said he, James Williams, Community Based Organization Manger for California Vs. Hate and Leah Brown-Goodloe from CBM informed and shared literature with tens of thousands of festivalgoers about the state’s Stop the Hate resources.

CBM’s Stop the Hate outreach was held at the beginning of United Against Hate Week (UAHW), a commemoration held annually across the country to recognize the fight against all forms of hate.

UAHW was first launched in 2018 by elected leaders, staff, and community groups from 13 cities in the Bay Area who organized a “United Against Hate” poster campaign responding to White supremacists marching in Northern California streets in the aftermath of Charlottesville riots.

In 2018, Los Angeles County, LAvsHate, a campaign that provided anti-hate crime information and resources to report hate incidents and hate crimes.

According to CRD director Kevin Kish, the L.A. initiative provided a model for the state’s program.

Today, UAHW has grown into a national movement with events organized across the country to mark the day.

This year, across the state counties and cities acted and held events to mark UAHW, including the launch of a branded UAHW wrap installed on buses by the Santa Clara County Valley Transit Authority.

Not in Our Town, a Northern California-based anti-hate movement, highlighted 131 events across 92 cities.

“Not only were there public gatherings, but also powerful panel discussions, training sessions, and cultural events promoting unity, understanding, and solidarity. These efforts collectively reflect the growing awareness and action against hate in our neighborhoods,” the Not in Our Town statement read.

In June, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the 2023 Hate Crime in California Report. It included data and resources supporting the state’s ongoing efforts to eliminate crimes and incidents motivated by racial and other biases.

According to the report, hate crimes in California decreased by 7.1% from 2,120 in 2022 to 1,970 in 2023.

However, incidents and crimes against Black Californians remained higher than average with 518 reported cases in 2023. The next highest reporting of bias events was 199 Anti-Hispanic or Latino incidents.

When it comes to reported hate crimes, we know that Black Californians are the most targeted group for hate and discrimination in our state,” said Williams.  “The California Civil Rights Department wants people to know that we are committed to reaching the Black community through outreach events and campaigns, including our first-ever billboard campaign, forging new partnerships, or increasing awareness about the hotline and available resources to historically hard-to-reach and underserved Californians.”

The Taste of Soul festival was created by Bakewell Media CEO and executive publisher Danny Bakewell Sr. He said Taste of Soul was created to highlight the positive aspects of African American life and “to encourage the enjoyment, respect and appreciation of our community and each other in an atmosphere of respect, peace, pride and pleasure.”

Brooks, who is from Los Angeles, said he was honored to participate in the event and provide a service to the community, which includes many of his friends and family.

“The event is always a beautiful experience to see family and friends enjoying food, music and resources,” said Brooks.

Williams said he wants to remind all Californians that there is “support when you report!”

“No matter your background or where you come from, if you’ve been targeted for hate, you can get help accessing legal, financial, mental health, and other services by calling 833-8-NO-HATE or by going to CAvsHate.org,” Williams added.

How To Report A Hate Crime: 

CA vs Hate is a non-emergency, multilingual hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal. Reports can be made anonymously by calling (833) 866-4283, or 833-8-NO-HATE, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT or online at any time.

Hate acts can be reported in 15 different languages through the online portal and in over 200 languages when calling the hotline. For individuals who want to report a hate crime to law enforcement immediately or who are in imminent danger, please call 911.

For more information on CA vs Hate, please visit CAvsHate.org.

San Bernardino City Unified Honors No Kid Hungry with Outstanding Community Partner Award

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Board of Education is proud to announce that it has awarded the Outstanding Community Partner Award to No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit dedicated to ending childhood hunger and reducing food scarcity.

This award, presented at the Board’s Oct. 22 meeting, recognizes No Kid Hungry’s exceptional efforts in supporting SBCUSD’s students and families with access to nutritious meals.

Through its innovative programs and partnerships, No Kid Hungry has played a critical role in ensuring that children in the San Bernardino community have access to the meals they need to thrive, both inside and outside of the classroom. Their work has significantly reduced food insecurity, helping thousands of students stay focused and succeed academically.

“The impact No Kid Hungry has had on our students and families is profound,” said SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano. “Their commitment to ending childhood hunger aligns perfectly with our mission to provide every child with the resources they need to succeed. This award is a testament to their invaluable partnership.”

No Kid Hungry’s initiatives have supported SBCUSD in expanding access to meals, particularly Breakfast in the Classroom. By working closely with local schools and communities, they’ve ensured that children receive the healthy meals they need year-round.

“We are honored to partner with SBCUSD in the fight against childhood hunger,” said Daisy Munguia, Associate Director, No Kid Hungry California. “Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of students, ensuring that hunger is not a barrier to their education. Our partnership to bring Breakfast in the Classroom to San Bernardino City schools continues to have a significant impact on students’ health, well-being, and their readiness to come to school and learn.”

For more information on No Kid Hungry and SBCUSD’s ongoing efforts to reduce food insecurity, please contact Laura Rice at Lrice@strength.org.