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(center left) Community organizer and Executive Director of Parents of Watts, Sweet Alice Harris, and (center right) CEO of WWAM Inc./I.S.A.H., Dr. Deborah Winn.
By Dr. Deborah Winn
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Thursday, September 18, Willing Winn Associates and Mission (WWAM) Inc., launched its program “It Starts At Home” (I.S.A.H.). The launch event took place at Juanita Jones Blakely Elementary School, where there is a resource center for basic living needs and assistance for needy families and children.
I.S.A.H. was established in the memory of Dorothy J. Fielder. Fielder was not only the mother of CEO of WWAM, Dr. Deborah Winn, but a missionary, evangelist, and assistant pastor. Winn states that if it had not been for the love, protection, nutriment, and guidance from her parents, she would not be here spreading it abroad.
Stormy Jones doing a praise dance to “Take Me to the King.”
The event kicked off with a welcome by Ramon Velasco, principal of Jones Elementary. The emcee for the afternoon was Wanda Parker. Sweet Alice Harris, community organizer and founder and executive director of Parents of Watts, made a special appearance. She spoke on working together with WWAM to get the needs met for the youth in the community, Blacks and Browns (African Americans and Mexicans) coming together as one in the city, and on the importance of political leaders. She also posed the question of the fact on why weren’t there any political leaders present at the event.
Another speaker was the assistant police chief of San Bernardino, Eric McBride. He mentioned how he believes in the notion of “It Starts At Home” and how it should be spread abroad throughout the city because the children and parents desperately need it.
In addition, residents gave their testimonies about “I.S.A.H.” and what it meant to them, as well as what WWAM has done in their lives. They included Mrs. Rasheda Ballard, Ms. Andrea Vejar, Mr. Robert Russell, Juanita Webster (San Bernardino Parks and Recreation), and Ms. Blanca Aguirre.
WWAM would love to give a special thanks to Stormy Jones who did a praise dance to “Take Me to the King”, and Bishop Larry Jones who did all the artwork for I.S.A.H.
Stay tuned for Juneteenth 2015 at Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino and for another appearance by Sweet Alice Harris.
